Purpose

The purpose of this article is to set up a network to enable data exchanges between computers, resource sharing and network games.

Is it therefore necessary to install a network card in each computer that may be part of the local area network.

The goal of this tutorial is to show you how to install an NE2000 compatible Ethernet network card in Microsoft Windows systems.

Installing hardware

The first thing to do is to open your computer and insert the network card. The following article will tell you how to easily install a network card in the computer's casing:

• Installing expansion boards

Installing drivers

Before installing drivers, you are strongly advised to visit the website of the network adapter's manufacturer, to retrieve the latest versions of the drivers, even if you have recently purchased your hardware. Major updates generally take place when hardware is put on the market. In addition, drivers in their packaging are sometimes several months old.

When installing a network card or adapter, it is necessary to refer to the documentation provided, since the procedure may vary from one manufacturer to another. Some manufacturers ask, for example, that you not connect the peripheral device before you've installed the drivers.

If you run into an installation problem, it is possible, and recommended, to perform a search on your favourite search engine with the brand and reference number of your hardware as keywords and one or more keywords such as "installation", "drivers" and "windows".

If the installation goes smoothly, in Windows XP, a prompt window should appear to ask you to continue with the installation and a warning message may appear stating the following:

The software you are installing for this hardware:
*********************
has not passed Windows logo testing
to verify its compatibility with Windows XP. (Tell me
why this test is important.)

Continuing your installation of this software may impair
or destabilize the correct operation of your
system, either immediately or in the future. Microsoft
strongly recommends that you stop this
installation now and contact the hardware vendor
for software that has passed
Windows logo testing.

Click Continue. A balloon should appear stating that new hardware has been installed and prompting you to execute the automatic configuration.

Installing protocols

Protocols are the software components that will enable computers to communicate with each other. The main protocols for a local area network are as follows:

• TCP/IP: the protocol used on the Internet. You will need it if you decide to connect your local area network to the internet
• IPX-SPX: a simple protocol, sometimes used for certain video games.
• Client for Microsoft networks: Microsoft's proprietary protocol, enabling file sharing and printer sharing, among others.

By default, the operating system installs the common protocols, which will be sufficient for almost all users. Unless you have a specific need, you do not need to read the rest of this section.

To install specific protocols, open the properties of the desired network connection and click Install, then choose protocol or services.

Last update on Thursday October 16, 2008 02:43:22 PM.This document entitled « Installing a network adapter » from Kioskea (en.kioskea.net) is made available under the Creative Commons license. You can copy, modify copies of this page, under the conditions stipulated by the licence, as this note appears clearly.