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Why set up a LAN?

If you have several computers, it may be worthwhile to connect them in order to create a local area network (LAN).
Setting up such a network is much less expensive than what you might think. Here are a few ways you might benefit from setting up a LAN:

• File transfer
• Resource (printer) sharing
• Possibility for discussion (essentially where the computers are far apart)
• Network gaming
• ...

The two types of LANs

There are two types of LAN architecture:

Necessary materials

To create an RJ45 LAN on Windows 95/98, all you have to do is:

• Several computers running on Windows 95 and/or 98 (computers running on two different versions of Windows may be part of the same network)
• NE2000-compatible ethernet cards on a PCI or ISA port (with an RJ45 jack). Make sure, if necessary, that the diodes on the back of the network card light up!
• RJ45 cables
• A hub (box to which the RJ45 connections from the various network computers are connected); they are quite inexpensive (around €50), or, alternatively, a crossed cable if you only want to connect two computers.

Network architecture

Depending on whether you use BNC or RJ45, the network structure will be radically different

RJ45 network

To create an RJ45 LAN, you need to use a "star" structure, in which the computers are each connected to the hub (collector) via an RJ45 cable. A hub is a box to which one connects each of the PCs and that is in charge of routing the data from one PC to another. The choice of hub will be based on the number of computers connected in order to have enough jacks on it. The structure of such a network looks like this: If you want to connect only two PCs, it is possible to forego the hub and connect the two computers directly with a crossed RJ45 cable.

Architectures to avoid

The following network structures will not work, even though they appear correct...

Incorrect RJ45 network

Networking

on Windows 2000/XP

In order to configure each computer, you need only go to the control panel, then double-click on "network connections", and then right/click "local network connection", and select properties!

The various protocols installed are shown in the local network connection window. In order to be able to share your files, play games on the network, and use your printers, it is necessary to install the following protocols:

• Microsoft network client
• File and printer sharing for Microsoft networks
• QoS packet planner
• Netbios Nwlink
• NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS-compatible transport protocol (for old games)
• TCP/IP Internet protocol

If one of these protocols is absent, click on "Install…" and add it.

Each computer must then be assigned an address, called an IP address in order to be able to communicate. In order to do this, you have to select "Internet protocol TCP/IP" and click on "Properties".

The assignment of IP addresses may be done automatically or be manually defined, which is preferable for a small LAN. We will commonly assign these addresses:

Computer no. 1
IP address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Computer no. 2
IP address: 192.168.0.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
...
Compuer no. xxx
IP address: 192.168.0.xxx
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

For optimal functioning, it is useful to check whether the network computers are part of the same workgroup. To do this, just right-click the workspace and select "properties". Under the tab "Computer name" you will see the name of the computer as well as the workgroup to which it belongs. In order to modify the work group and do the same for all computers, you just have to click on"Network ID ";

The next step is to make sure that all of the computers communicate well together.
At the command prompt (MS-DOS command window by opening Run menu and typing "cmd"): With PC no. 1, type the following command, which allows you to verify whether PC no. 1 can see no. 2.

ping 192.168.0.2

ping ComputerName

The command below allows you to see the network configuration details of the computer, in particular to see the running machine's IP address if it was automatically assigned:

ipconfig /all

The next step (optional) is to share the files of each PC. To do this, right-click the file to be shared, then click on "share", then assign a name to the file as it will be seen on the network.

Right-click the "Network places" icon on your desktop, and then click on "explore" (note: there is a difference between "explore" and "open"!!!), click on "all network", then on the workgroup; you will then see the computers and the files and folders that they share.

on Windows 95/98/Me

Right-click on the "network neighborhood" icon on your desktop and select properties or, if there is no network neighborhood icon on the desktop, go to the control panel and click on network".

The "Configuration" tab shows the various protocols and network cards installed. In order to be able to share your files, play games on the network, and share your printers, it is necessary to install the following protocols:

• Microsoft network client
• The name of your network card
• File and printer sharing for Microsoft networks
• IPX/SPX protocol
• TCP/IP Internet protocol

In order to configure the IP addresses of each computer, you have to select "Internet protocol TCP/IP" and click on "Properties" in order to open the "TCP/IP properties" window.

The IP addresses of each computer may be assigned manually or automatically, but keep in mind that the manual method will allow you to get acquainted with the address plan for your network! The following IP addresses will commonly be given:

Computer no. 1
IP address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Computer no. 1
IP address: 192.168.0.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

In order to ensure optimum functionality, it is useful to check whether the network computers belong to the same workgroup. Under the tab "Identification" of your "network" window, you will see the name of the computer as well as the workgroup to which it belongs. In order to modify the workgroup and do the same for all computers, you just have to click on"Network ID "; the next step is to make sure that all of the computers communicate well together. Open a DOS prompt by going to "Run menu" then "run", and type "command": Type the following command on PC #1 to check that PC #1 can see PC #2.

ping 192.168.0.2

ping ComputerName

The command below allows you to see the network configuration details of the computer, in particular to see the running machine's IP address if it was automatically assigned:

winipcfg