N
E T W O R K I N G
77
NETWORKING
A network is a system of two or more computers connected together.
Networks can be used to share an Internet connection, files, or peripheral
devices such as printers. You can also use a network to pit your skills against
your friends and family in popular multi-player games. There are two basic
types of network,
wired
and
wireless
.
Wired Networks
A wired network requires that all computers and peripherals on the network
be connected with a physical cable, commonly called Cat 5 cable.
Each computer on the network will need a network, or Ethernet, port. If one
of your coputers did not come with an Ethernet port, you will have to add an
Ethernet card (or Ethernet PC card for notebooks) in order to connect the
computer to your network. Ethernet comes in different speeds, 10Mbps
(standard Ethernet), 10/100Mbps (Fast Ethernet), and 10/100/1000Mbps
(Gigabit Ethernet). Your Medion notebook uses a 10/100 Fast Ethernet
connection.
You will also need an Ethernet router, switch, or hub. A router should have a
port for connecting a cable or DSL modem, support for dynamic IPs, a built-
in firewall, and enough ports for all of the computers and devices on your
network. Switches and hubs do not generally provide support for dynamic IPs
or firewall features.
Setting Up a Wired Network
Although every network is slightly different, here is the basic procedure for
setting up a wired network using a router. If you are using a switch or hub
instead of a router, you may first need to contact your ISP to receive multiple
IP addresses, which may incur an additional charge.
n
Turn off and unplug all of the devices that will be used on your
network.
o
If you are using a DSL or cable modem, connect this to the router with
Cat 5 cable. Make sure that you are using the correct port, usually
labeled
uplink.
p
Connect each of the computers that you want to network to the
remaining ports on the router with Cat 5 cable.
q
Turn on the computers, your modem, and the router. There should be
a row of lights on the router that corresponds to each of the devices
Summary of Contents for Akoya LS
Page 47: ...COMPUTER BASICS 47 qSelect Copy entire disc...
Page 64: ...MULTIMEDIA SOUND PHOTOS AND MOVIES 64 p o n q r s...
Page 102: ...INDEX 102...
