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Setting Up A Small Local Area Network(Ethernet) For A Small Office

Written by Olabamigbe Olubajo

Slippery Rock University

Bachelor Degree in Information Technology

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Every small office should have a LAN because it saves you a lot of money by allowing sharing of expensive resources. A computer network consists of two or more computers connected together via hardware and software for communication. Setting up a small local area network (LAN) is inexpensive and easy, in contrary to what people think. This guideline for setting up a LAN would enable basic network functions like sharing printers, directories/ files and Internet access.

Getting Started 

• Windows 98/XP.                            

With Windows 98/XP, you wouldn’t need any additional software to enjoy the basic network functions.

• Network Interface Cards (NIC) On Each Computer                                                I would advise Ethernet - it comes in two flavors. Fast and the regular Ethernet. The Fast Ethernet operates at 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) while the regular operates at 10 Megabits per second (Mbps). Economically speaking, a regular Ethernet is fast enough for a small LAN (refer to manufacturer’s booklet for installation).
• Cables                                                                                                                          The number and length of the cable depends on how many computers to be networked and the distance between them. Cables for Ethernet networks can’t exceed 328 feet or else the network signal starts to degrade. For it to run longer than 328 feet, you must use repeaters to amplify the signal. There are 3 main types of UTP cable, CAT5, CAT5E, and CAT6. Depending on how fast you want the network connection to be, CAT6 has the highest bandwidth but CATE is okay for a small LAN.
• Ethernet Hub.                                                                                                                  It is like a traffic light, it controls transmission, amplifies and retransmits data packets from the computers. Depending on the amount of computers to be networked, you buy the hub with the appropriate number of ports (refer to manufacturer’s booklet for installation).     

                                                                              OR

• Ethernet Router                                                                                                          You would need an Ethernet router to share a single Internet connection with the network. A DSL/Cable router is a kind of router that combines the role of a hub and a router. I highly recommend this instead, because it makes Internet sharing easier on a DSL/Cable connection (Ask ISP if available). Refer to manufacturer’s booklet for installation.
• DSL/Cable Modem (External)                                                                                  For Internet sharing, the modem would be connected to the DSL/Cable router (refer to manufacturer’s booklet for installation).

Configuration

• If using Windows ME, 98 or XP

  You can set up the network almost automatically with Windows, by running the Network Setup Wizard on all computers. Keep on following the instructions on the wizard and the configuration should be fairly straightforward.

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