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Home Networking (HOWTO)

This HOWTO page should provide step by step instructions on setting up the various types of HOME NETWORK using RJ-45/CAT5 Type Network Cards, due to the numerous software applications for USB Networking, USB Networking is NOT explained or covered on these pages.
Details for Internet Sharing - Windows98/98se (Windows ME/2000/XP Sharing Setup by User) ISS is Not covered as the Windows system wizards are self explanatory

An Assumption is made that an Internet connection is established using an existing modem, whether it is ADSL.CableModem, 56k Dialup or ISDN64/128k is setup and working.
You need to decide on the type of Network you wish to setup

Peer to Peer Network

Peer to Peer 2 Computers connected by RJ45X Crossover cabling, ( some NIC's can be damaged by long term incorrect use of wrong type of connections), the computer will not normally be affected.

special RJ-45X Network Cable called an RJ-45X (Crossover)Peer to Peer diagram with modem connection

Multiple Computer Network

Home Networking Multiple Computers using RJ-45 Network Cables and a Network HUB, Normally a HUB will have either one Switched Port for RJ45 and RJ45X Connections, or one port specifically configured for RJ45X (Link) ( some cheap&nasty NIC's can be damaged by long term incorrect use of wrong type of connections), the computer or Hub should not normally be affected.

Install your network cards in all your computers that are going to be included as part of the intended network, using the drivers supplied by the manufacturer.
Once all the Hardware has been installed, including Network HUB & Cables as required by your chosen network type, your computers should be Re-Booted

Using the Right Mouse Button Select the Networking Icon on the Desktop

Next Move the mouse down to the Properties option

Select the Identification TAB
Enter a unique name for this computer then Enter a Workgroup name such as Home or MSHOME (all the computers on your network should have the same workgroup name)

Next Select the Configuration TAB
Then Select File and Print Sharing, check the options suitable for your network.

Next highlight the TCP/IP > yournetworkcard option
Setting the IP Address
If the Computer is connected to the internet via a modem then the IP Address should be 192.168.1.1
If the computer is to share a connection via another computer then the IP Address should be in the Range 192.168.1.x where x = 2 to 254

This Section is only applicable to Shared connections in the IP Address Range 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254
Setting the IP Address of the Gateway Computer.
This will be the IP Address of the Server Machine

This Section is only applicable to Shared connections in the IP Address Range 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254
Setting the Dynamic Name Server Option
Host = the Computer Name given to the Machine with the Modem Attached
Domain = This is the Workgroup Name given to your whole network.
DNS Server Search Order = this should be the IP Address of your Gateway/Server Machine

Setting of the User Access controls
The default settings are shown in the following image, this should be sufficient for most home networking systems

How to Share Files across your network

Double Click the My Computer Icon, then Click on each of the Drives listed using the Right Mouse Button, select the Sharing Option as shown in the next image.

Please Note: You should NEVER Set a 3/2Floppies or CD Drives to FULL Access (if a Disk is NOT present this may cause the whole network to lockup), Only use the READ-ONLY option for Removable Medai Drives, Passwords are optional

When Setting HardDrive Options using Read-Only will not allow any data to be changed, or added, passwords are optional.

Additional Information that should be considered

If you intend to setup a network the Computer that is directly connected to the internet should have a firewall as a minimum requirement, to prevent unauthorised access to your systems, when running servers such as FTP, Game Server's under Windows, you will also need additional software such as Proxy Server or Router/NAT's (Network Address Translation Service)
Alternative systems exist that will allow a 486SX25 with 16mb Memory, the only possible requirements, (dependant upon the software) are hardware recognition of a CDRom Drive and that suitable expansion slots (ISA/PCI) for your Network Cards, the advantage of using Stand-Alone Systems such IPCOP Dedicated Router/Firewall or Devil-Linux Router/Firewall is that Hackers normally attack Windows system networking, which have no effect on a linux system