Network Setup

Connecting Two Computers Directly With Cable

The traditional method to network two computers involves making a dedicated link by plugging one cable into the two systems. Several alternatives exist for networking two computers in this manner:

• Ethernet crossover cable
• Null modem serial cable or parallel peripheral cable
• Special-purpose USB cables

Ethernet - Of the above choices, the Ethernet method is preferred as it supports a reliable, high-speed connection with minimal configuration required. Additionally, Ethernet technology offers the most general-purpose solution, allowing networks with more than two computers to be built fairly easily later. If one of your computers possesses an Ethernet adapter but the other has USB, an Ethernet crossover cable can still be used by first plugging a USB-to-Ethernet converter unit into the computer's USB port.

Setting up network using a hardware router/gateway/firewall device

In this scenario, you install a hardware router/gateway/firewall device, connect the public side to your cable/DSL modem, connect the private side to a hub, connect all PCs to the hub, configure all PCs for your private network.

While the costliest solution, by far the safest, most reliable, and most scalable one. Highly recommended.

Advantages:

• All PCs are protected by firewall (indicated by the color green)
• File sharing between PCs is safe
• No additional ISP cost
• Connect many PCs to home network without additional cost
• Easy PC configuration due to DHCP server in gateway device
• Optional additional functionality with gateway-integrated wireless access point, print server, DMZ, content filtering, and more

Connecting Two Computers Wirelessly

In recent years, wireless solutions have enjoyed increasing popularity for home networking. As with cabled solutions, several different wireless technologies exist to support basic two computer networks:

• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• infrared

Wi-Fi

Definition: Wi-Fi is the industry name for wireless LAN (WLAN) communication technology related to the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless networking standards.Wi-Fi connections can reach a greater distance than the wireless alternatives listed above. Many newer computers, especially laptops, now contain built-in Wi-Fi capability, making it the preferred choice in most situations. Wi-Fi can be used either with or without a network fixture. With two computers, Wi-Fi networking minus a fixture (also called ad-hoc mode) is especially simple to set up.

Bluetooth technology supports reasonably high-speed wireless connections between two computers without the need for a network fixture. Bluetooth is more commonly used when networking a computer with a consumer handheld device like a cell phone. Most desktop and older computers do not possess Bluetooth capability. Bluetooth works best if both devices are in the same room in close proximity to each other. Consider Bluetooth if you have interest in networking with handheld devices and your computers lack Wi-Fi capability.

Infrared networking existed on laptops years before either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technologies became popular. Infrared connections only work between two computers, do not require a fixture, and are reasonably fast. Being very simple to set up and use, consider infrared if your computers support it and you lack the desire to invest effort in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Setup a wireless network

Follow these four simple steps to set up a wireless network.

Step 1: Connect your wireless access points to your broadband Internet connection.

Typically, your broadband Internet connection will include a router, which allows you to share your Internet connection among the computers on your network. On a wired network, a standard router shares your Internet connection with your company computers via Ethernet cables that connect computers to the router, often via hubs or switches. On a wireless network however, the access point broadcasts the signal wirelessly to all of your computers instead of requiring them to be hardwired to your router.

To turn your wired connection into a wireless one, simply connect your wireless access point to your router and it will be ready to share your Internet connection.

Step 2: Ensure all of your computers are wirelessly equipped.

For your desktop, notebook, handheld, and tablet PCs to communicate over your wireless network, they will need to support the wireless LAN protocol called Wi-Fi (or 802.11). Many of today's business computers come fully equipped with integrated Wi-Fi, so they are ready to access your wireless network as soon as you get your access point up and running.

If your computers and handhelds don't have built-in Wi-Fi support, you can quickly and easily install a Wi-Fi adapter. Adapter cards slip quickly and easily into PCI slots on a desktop case or the PC card slot on a notebook, Tablet PC, or handheld and give your computer wireless access just as if it were built in.
It is important that the wireless radios on your computers are compatible with your access points. 802.11b and 802.11g are compatible technologies, so a notebook with support for 802.11b can communicate with an access point that supports 802.11g. However, 802.11a devices are only compatible with other 802.11a devices, so you can't mix and match them with 802.11b or 802.11g devices.

Once you have your access point and your computers configured, you can begin sending and receiving information over your wireless network.

Step 3: Configure the SSID on your access points and wireless computers.

Wi-Fi access points use a special value called a SSID (Service Set Identifier) to distinguish wireless networks from one another. Access points often arrive preconfigured with defaults set by the manufacturer. If you don't change these values (which are well known), it's easy for outsiders to detect and attempt to access a wireless LAN. You should always immediately reset your SSIDs following the normal rules for strong passwords (not easy to guess, mixture of letters, numbers, and other characters, and so forth). See the documentation that came with your access point and wireless card for details on how to set SSIDs on your network.

Step 4: Configure your access point and cards for maximum security.

After you have all of your hardware up and working, but before you begin using your wireless network to communicate sensitive data, be sure to carefully review the security options and configurations available to you. HP offers the latest in wireless security, including data encryption and user authentication, but it's up to you to take advantage of it. We designed our wireless products to be simple to set up, security included, so all you need to do is take a few moments to review the documentation that came with your access point to benefit from its full security support.