Network Setup |
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Last Updated: October 13, 2007
No Windows Vista or Mac OS X Specifics Listed Below
The tips below work on Windows Vista, but some of the information may be in a different screen than what is listed below. I have no clue about OS X.
Tips, Not Instructions
I've set up six home networks and the first three didn't go smoothly. Writing instructions on how to set up a home network and what to do when things go wrong isn't that valuable. It would be too lengthy and boring. Besides, the owners manuals are well written and there are several web sites dedicated to solving problems. I don't need to reinvent the wheel.
Helpful Hints
- The free version of Zone Alarm prevents file sharing. The paid version allows it.
- Rebooting all of the computers on the network solves many networking mysteries.
- Using the same version of Windows on the computers makes things easier. You won't have to learn the networking nuances of each version.
- Windows 2000 and XP have networking wizards, but they only work on their own version of Windows.
- Install the firewall software after the file sharing works. Otherwise, the firewall will block any attempt get file sharing to work.
- If you already have firewall software installed, then disconnect the computers from the internet, turn off the firewall software, and see if they can share files. You can also uninstall the firewall software, reboot and then try to share files. Reinstall the firewall software before connecting the computers to the internet.
- Adjust the firewall software to allow for (1) file sharing and (2) include the IP address ranges of the computers in the "trusted local zone" (192.168.0.1 through 192.168.0.255).
- Disable the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). Zone Alarm Pro (paid version) or Norton Internet Security are more robust and two software firewalls running at the same time may conflict with each other and prevent the computer from connecting to the network.
- During initial setup, set the user on each computer to have administrator rights.
- If any of the computers use Windows 95, 98, 98SE, or ME, then the network protocol NetBEUI needs to be installed on all of the computers.
- Update the firmware on the router by downloading the latest update from the company's web site.
- Download the latest updates for Windows, anti-virus, and firewall. There may be a bug in the software that is fixed in a newer update.
- When turning on the many security features on the router/firewall/switch, turn on one feature at a time and make sure everything still works. It makes troubleshooting much easier.
- Network switches die one port at a time. The activity lights for the network port may indicate everything is working, but you may not be able to connect to anything on the network. Continue using the other ports on the switch.
- Print the router setup screens when everything is setup and working properly. Draw your network on a piece of paper that includes IP addresses, MAC addresses, router name, and router password. If you forget the router password, you'll need to push the reset button which will erase all of your settings.
- Using Windows Explorer or My Computer to browse to My Network Places, Entire Network, Microsoft Windows Network, etc. is slow and doesn't always work for me. Map a drive letter to a folder on the other computer instead. For example, P: is the My Pictures folder on the other computer. In Windows Explorer, click on Tools, Map Network Drive.
Requirements for File and Print Sharing
- Each computer needs a unique computer name.
- Windows 2000/XP: Control Panel, System, Hardware tab
- Windows 95/98/ME: Click on Network Neighborhood
- Each computer needs an identical workgroup name.
- Windows 2000/XP: Control Panel, System, Hardware tab
- Windows 95/98/ME: Click on Network Neighborhood
- Each drive or folder that will be shared on the network needs to be changed to allow sharing.
- In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right click on the drive or directory and choose Share on the shortcut menu.
Helpful Web Sites
Good Articles
How To Fix Your Wireless Network - Part 1
Configuring Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME
Configuring Windows 2000 and XP
Windows XP internet connection firewall (ICF)
Windows XP simple file sharing
Adding Windows XP to an existing network
Locating my IP address in Windows XP with ipconfig /all
Wireless FAQ: Setup and Configuration
Search for Other Sites
I used Google to search for "home network setup"
Network Performance Diagnostic Software
PC Magazine's article on The Bionic Home Network (Oct 2007) included testing the network speed using free software called Qcheck. It can pin point connection problems and poor performance problems.
Make Your Network Better
PC World's article on 35 Easy Fixes for Network Problems (Mar 2007) included:
- Extending your router's DHCP lease time to a period of at least a week to prevent lost connections.
- If disconnects are affecting a laptop, check the power management setting for its network adapter.
- Make sure each PC has a unique name (dell_desktop2) and identical workgroup name (MSHome or Workgroup).
- Use a router that has SPI.
- Installing antivirus, antispyware, and personal firewall software.
- Use WPA2 or WPA wireless encryption.
- Neither using MAC address filtering nor turning off SSID broadcasting is an effective security measure. Both are easier to bypass than WEP.
- Use a virtual private network to encrypt all Internet traffic between your computer and an intermediate server using JiWire Hotspot Helper (see above).
- Turn off ad hoc (computer-to-computer) networking and prevent automatic connections to nonpreferred networks (see above).
- In Windows Vista, turn off the Vista Network Discovery feature (which allows other computers to see you on a network) when you're at hotspots
- Add a second router. The most secure computers will be attached to the second router.