home network tutorial

home networking tutorial with Microsoft Windows

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Home Networking
Starter Article
Start 
Ethernet Networks
PhoneLine/HPNA Networks
Wireless Ethernet (soon)
Understanding Network Config
Configure Win95,98,ME
Configure Win2000,XP
Checking and Troubleshooting
Easy Home Networking Tutorial! (Version 2.0)
This tutorial will explain how to set up a small computer network for file and printer sharing using NetBEUI.  It can also be used as a troubleshooting guide if your network if it is not functioning.  The navigation choices on the bottom of each page will help tailor this tutorial to your needs.  You can also skip around the tutorial using the article navigation bar on the left hand side of the screen.  Links within this article can take you to other parts of the site to explore certain terms and technologies deeper.
The first thing you must decide is what kind of network you need and how it will be connected. This sometimes called your network architecture. The major points to keep in mind while making this decision are 1) ease of cabling 2) network speed and 3) price.
Computers can me connected together with many different network types, but the three most common are Ethernet, PhoneLine (HPNA) and Wireless Ethernet (WiFi or 802.11b). If you do not know what kind of network you need, read over our “Choosing a network type for your home” article. You can also view our collection of network diagrams if you are unsure how to hook everything up.
For many people, network speed is the least important issue. Most cable and dsl connections only transfer at about 1.5Mbps (1 and 1/2 an Mbps). Any of these network types transer much faster than that so your speed bottleneck will always be your Internet connection itself.
 
SPEED
COST
Wiring Ease
Perhipheral Availablity
Ethernet
Fastest
10 or 100Mbps
Least Expensive
Difficult if computers are in different rooms
Many and inexpensive
Phoneline
HPNA 2.0
Moderate
up to 10Mbps
Moderate
Easy of phone jacks are close to computers
Few and moderately priced
WiFi
Wireless Ethernet
Moderate
up to 10Mbps
Most Expensive
No Wires
Moderate amount, moderate to expensive prices
Since Ethernet is both the fastest and least expensive, ethernet networks are the most common network type. The rest of this article will talk about Ethernet networks but keep in mind, they all work the same once you plug everything in.
My Type Network is
  Wireless Ethernet (soon)
Note:
This article is wrtitten for NetBeui but TCP/IP can also be used for file and printer sharing; especially if your computers are all Windows 2000 or XP.  If you have an environment that includes 9x machines, it is easiest to use NetBeui.  When only TCP/IP is used on 9x machines, they somtimes have a hard time seeing each other.
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316 comments
home networking tutorial with Microsoft Windows
THANK YOU!! by Eric - 10/28/2001 11:08:00 PM
Networking Help!! by Phil Booth - 11/8/2001 3:56:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Kev Toms - 11/14/2001 7:29:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Allan Benamer - 12/12/2001 4:07:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Leo Koley - 2/7/2002 7:12:00 PM
inconsistant connection! by James - 9/8/2003 5:00:00 PM
Re: Networking Help!! by Jerry Hesseltine - 12/12/2001 1:36:00 PM
Re: Networking Help!! by Anipole - 2/13/2002 2:02:00 PM
Re: Networking Help!! by mvms - 8/14/2004 5:58:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Joy Turner - 9/1/2004 6:20:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Dale - 1/30/2005 4:58:00 PM
Re: Networking Help!! by ashish - 2/9/2005 3:41:00 AM
need a project on networking for my diplom by Khailash - 1/28/2006 9:27:00 AM
help by fakhri - 3/6/2006 1:16:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Tom - 3/20/2005 1:40:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by Edward Waiange - 1/12/2006 3:34:00 AM
Re: Networking Help!! by rajendra yadav - 3/9/2007 5:43:00 AM
Posted by rajendra yadav
3/9/2007 5:43:00 AM.
Re: Networking Help!!
i have broadband connection,my modem has usb port then there is need for lan for running internet.
Re: THANK YOU!! by ... - 11/1/2002 4:29:00 AM
Re: THANK YOU!! by Dell - 3/2/2004 11:15:00 AM
Re: THANK YOU!! by ||Adrenaline - 3/8/2004 9:54:00 PM
Re: THANK YOU!! by mel - 3/13/2004 8:01:00 PM
Re: THANK YOU!! by Harris Daniel - 9/8/2004 4:52:00 PM
Re: THANK YOU!! by ogbu - 1/25/2006 8:08:00 AM
Re: THANK YOU!! by steve - 6/30/2005 1:12:00 PM
Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Peter Chesky - 1/16/2002 2:36:00 AM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Chris - 1/22/2002 1:02:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Leo - 2/7/2002 7:15:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Anipole - 2/13/2002 1:39:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by John - 3/19/2002 9:58:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by lotza - 1/4/2003 2:07:00 AM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by marey - 10/19/2002 3:04:00 AM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Gary Sausman - 2/20/2002 7:20:00 AM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by lotza - 1/4/2003 3:08:00 AM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Cristian - 2/22/2003 10:27:00 AM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Richard - 2/25/2003 11:09:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by john hughes - 3/4/2003 2:48:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Korvah M. Kollie - 6/5/2005 1:03:00 PM
Re: Networking/Internet sharing using a hub. by Korvah M. Kollie - 6/5/2005 1:03:00 PM
How to network computers? by Behzad - 3/15/2003 7:00:00 AM
Re: How to network computers? by Shawn - 9/9/2004 7:56:00 PM
Losing my ip by jim - 9/8/2003 4:54:00 PM
gaming problems on my network by Chris - 1/22/2002 1:42:00 PM
Re: gaming problems on my network by Glen Mundo - 1/26/2002 12:13:00 PM
Re: gaming problems on my network by armageddon - 9/6/2002 2:04:00 PM
thank you by Glen Mundo - 1/26/2002 12:05:00 PM
Can't find my XP on Network by Yvette - 1/26/2002 6:09:00 PM
Re: Can't find my XP on Network by Greg - 2/2/2002 8:56:00 AM
Re: Can't find my XP on Network by Chenthil - 2/2/2002 12:35:00 PM
Re: Can't find my XP on Network by PH - 2/4/2002 3:51:00 PM
Re: Can't find my XP on Network by PH - 2/4/2002 3:56:00 PM
XP on Network by yaya - 4/7/2002 5:51:00 AM
Re: Can't find my XP on Network by hubert - 10/18/2003 7:25:00 PM
Re: Can't find my XP on Network by Schmand - 2/24/2002 4:45:00 PM
lan 10Mps by chris - 2/4/2002 6:17:00 PM
Re: lan 10Mps by Prasanth - 2/7/2002 1:30:00 AM
Re: lan 10Mps by chris - 2/7/2002 11:39:00 PM
WindowsXP Networking help! by Bradnon - 2/7/2002 4:11:00 PM
Re: WindowsXP Networking help! by Leonid - 2/7/2002 7:24:00 PM
Home network decision by Kathy - 2/8/2002 2:49:00 PM
Re: Home network decision by Maryanne - 2/19/2002 3:46:00 PM
Re: Home network decision by lotza - 1/4/2003 4:11:00 AM
Great tutorial by Lee - 2/18/2002 2:07:00 AM
Re: Great tutorial by Jim - 8/11/2002 1:07:00 AM
Bless your little site! by Lindsay - 2/27/2002 9:03:00 AM
Network Problem...... by Fadhil - 3/3/2002 4:34:00 PM
Re: Network Problem...... by soumya - 8/23/2006 5:05:00 AM
Re: Network Problem...... by allan byahe - 9/10/2006 3:30:00 AM
Network Windows XP and Win95 by CMazz - 3/4/2002 1:04:00 PM
Re: Network Windows XP and Win95 by mel brieseman - 8/23/2002 3:37:00 AM
Re: Network Windows XP and Win95 by lotza - 1/4/2003 4:49:00 AM
client doesn't connected after restart by Richard - 3/4/2002 10:08:00 PM
Need Help with XP networking by Pete - 3/6/2002 6:41:00 AM
Home Networking problem between an ME and 98 by Imtiazur Syed - 3/6/2002 11:35:00 AM
Re: Home Networking problem between an ME and 98 by Imtiazur Syed - 3/7/2002 10:14:00 AM
Re: Home Networking problem between an ME and 98 by David - 4/7/2002 5:40:00 PM
Re: Home Networking problem between an ME and 98 by Gary - 6/25/2002 12:56:00 PM
USB + XP = NoGo by Jaje. P - 3/10/2002 1:11:00 PM
Re: USB + XP = NoGo by milo - 6/10/2002 1:35:00 PM
2 xp machines, 16port switch, 3nic's by Pyromatrix - 3/19/2002 9:07:00 PM
IP Routing HELP? by Tony Freeman - 3/21/2002 3:08:00 AM
9x to xp print sharing by jason - 3/21/2002 9:52:00 AM
Re: 9x to xp print sharing by yaya - 4/7/2002 5:56:00 AM
Re: 9x to xp print sharing by Satish - 9/5/2005 3:45:00 PM
internet connection sharing by mike - 3/29/2002 2:09:00 AM
Re: internet connection sharing by yaya - 4/7/2002 5:54:00 AM
Re: internet connection sharing by jt - 10/9/2003 12:41:00 PM
Workgroup Versus LAN by Larry - 3/29/2002 10:50:00 PM
Re: Workgroup Versus LAN by SMJ - 4/10/2003 8:15:00 AM
ftp error due to network/proxy by Tyler - 4/1/2002 10:58:00 AM
Help by Marty - 4/2/2002 2:18:00 PM
Re: Help by yaya - 4/7/2002 5:59:00 AM
XP Network by Duke - 4/7/2002 7:20:00 PM
Re: XP Network by hp5ll - 4/17/2002 10:14:00 AM
JetDirect WinXP Wireless network problem by Mark Perloe - 4/20/2002 11:56:00 AM
Proxim Symphony Upgrade by Mark Perloe - 4/20/2002 12:01:00 PM
Need to logoff before being networked problem by Michael - 4/21/2002 12:12:00 PM
Re: Need to logoff before being networked problem by mbrieseman - 8/23/2002 3:39:00 AM
NETWORKING XP & ME HELP by Neil - 5/2/2002 4:43:00 AM
Re: NETWORKING XP & ME HELP by paul - 5/3/2002 4:48:00 AM
Re: NETWORKING XP & ME HELP by John R. - 5/8/2002 12:27:00 AM
XP & 98 print sharing by Mat Powers - 6/4/2002 3:43:00 PM
general networking.. by Herps - 6/7/2002 1:56:00 AM
HP printer-XP/ME by Steve - 6/17/2002 11:26:00 AM
Peer-2-Peer Networking with 98 & XP by Steve - 6/18/2002 10:34:00 PM
Re: Peer-2-Peer Networking with 98 & XP by Christopher - 8/29/2002 5:48:00 AM
File and Print sharing with win98se and xp pro by Bob - 6/20/2002 9:05:00 PM
Re: File and Print sharing with win98se and xp pro by Hubert - 10/18/2003 7:20:00 PM
Internet Sharing by steve - 7/10/2002 2:32:00 PM
Re: Internet Sharing by twantrd - 7/26/2002 2:41:00 PM
method of sharing networking in win98 by gul faraz - 1/10/2004 2:30:00 AM
Networking Win98 to ME by Gareth - 7/11/2002 5:03:00 AM
Re: Networking Win98 to ME by Lester - 7/15/2002 4:08:00 PM
Re: Networking Win98 to ME by THERYON SAMPSON - 10/27/2003 5:34:00 AM
XP to XP by Joe - 7/25/2002 10:57:00 AM
Re: XP to XP by xxxabcxxx - 7/26/2002 2:56:00 AM
Re: XP to XP by sreedevi - 8/15/2002 12:14:00 AM
Re: XP to XP by Sreeni - 8/17/2002 12:39:00 AM
Networking at home..... not workin!!! by Satish - 7/27/2002 11:31:00 PM
Re: Networking at home..... not workin!!! by Sreeni - 8/17/2002 12:41:00 AM
File sharing option not showing by Satish - 7/29/2002 2:39:00 AM
Re: File sharing option not showing by sreedevi - 8/15/2002 12:24:00 AM
Re: File sharing option not showing by Sreeni - 8/17/2002 12:17:00 AM
Proxy not serving Java by imanici - 8/2/2002 4:14:00 PM
Re: Proxy not serving Java by jason - 9/6/2002 8:00:00 PM
Re: Proxy not serving Java by Chris - 9/22/2002 3:19:00 AM
XP to XP starting out by Lisa - 8/27/2002 9:39:00 AM
Re: XP to XP starting out by Mateo - 9/8/2002 5:57:00 PM
Cannot surf to all sites on networked computer by Jeff - 8/31/2002 5:07:00 PM
MEvsXP by SARTi - 9/4/2002 12:08:00 AM
can't upload by Iysin - 9/8/2002 6:02:00 AM
Re: can't upload by Rhys - 11/25/2004 2:33:00 AM
Re: can't upload by wolfgang - 11/27/2004 11:40:00 AM
Network neighborhood by Mateo - 9/8/2002 4:54:00 PM
Re: Network neighborhood by Mary - 9/10/2002 9:06:00 PM
Networking XP and win98 by Matt - 9/14/2002 1:05:00 PM
Re: Networking XP and win98 by Tim - 1/27/2003 12:15:00 PM
Networking USB by Rick - 9/15/2002 8:53:00 AM
Awesome Help! by Scott - 9/18/2002 2:47:00 AM
sharing usb printer by mooxoo - 9/20/2002 7:51:00 AM
sharing usb printer by mooxoo - 9/20/2002 7:51:00 AM
Re: can someone provide me with nbf.sys & netnbf.inf XP files? by HammerSoftWare - 10/1/2002 10:27:00 AM
Online Gaming by Andy - 10/15/2002 4:19:00 PM
unable to send files by ace - 11/1/2002 4:40:00 AM
Networking question by Jason - 11/5/2002 3:54:00 PM
Re: Networking question by Jason - 11/8/2002 12:20:00 AM
Some receiving files problem with networking by Reynold - 11/11/2002 8:49:00 PM
Networking PCs for internet sharing by Sravana - 11/14/2002 2:04:00 PM
Re: Networking PCs for internet sharing by me - 11/20/2002 6:05:00 PM
Re: Networking PCs for internet sharing by sravana - 11/21/2002 5:07:00 AM
Networking by Ravishrivastava - 11/16/2002 7:39:00 AM
Re: Networking by Tones - 11/22/2002 4:47:00 PM
NetBEUI on Win XP by squire - 11/24/2002 10:29:00 PM
Re: NetBEUI on Win XP by trrider53 - 11/27/2002 9:53:00 AM
Re: NetBEUI on Win XP by squire - 11/27/2002 10:36:00 AM
Re: NetBEUI on Win XP by Cynthia - 1/17/2003 2:55:00 PM
Re: NetBEUI on Win XP by Sean Piper - 2/24/2003 2:13:00 PM
Re: NetBEUI on Win XP by eztider - 6/8/2003 1:37:00 AM
time outs possible? by john - 12/7/2002 12:02:00 AM
Networking XP to ME by Kevin - 12/17/2002 10:22:00 PM
Re: Networking XP to ME by Allan - 12/23/2002 11:27:00 PM
Re: Networking XP to ME by Ray - 1/29/2004 6:36:00 PM
Re: Networking XP to ME by anil belluri - 2/2/2004 4:13:00 PM
Networks and Gaming by Anthony - 12/22/2002 3:48:00 PM
Re: Networks and Gaming by Allan - 12/23/2002 11:29:00 PM
XP Laptop and Desktop by Michael - 12/30/2002 4:20:00 PM
Wireless network instability by Mark Murphy - 1/20/2003 1:01:00 PM
USB printer sharing by smiler - 1/22/2003 2:36:00 PM
Re: USB printer sharing by Tim - 1/27/2003 12:18:00 PM
File and print sharing on xp by Cipher - 1/30/2003 8:24:00 PM
Mixing XP and 98 OS with Wireless by Doug - 2/14/2003 11:15:00 AM
Thank You by Kevin - 2/20/2003 8:48:00 AM
modem and network card by darien - 2/24/2003 11:42:00 AM
problems with network sharing by Seth the ManaKnight - 3/3/2003 11:01:00 PM
win xp to win 95 network by John Keubler - 3/17/2003 10:08:00 PM
transfering speed is so slow..... by ken - 3/30/2003 11:15:00 PM
tcp/ip win95 crossover cable by Steve - 4/3/2003 12:17:00 AM
networking help by eddie - 4/7/2003 10:50:00 PM
please help by pish - 4/27/2003 2:15:00 AM
Networking solution by Steven - 5/10/2003 7:09:00 PM
Help with Wireless internet network setup by Jason Garrison - 5/30/2003 6:51:00 AM
Print Sharing XP to 98 by JBJR - 6/3/2003 10:52:00 AM
Re: Print Sharing 98 to XP by Les - 7/22/2003 4:50:00 PM
Re: Print Sharing 98 to XP by robbyn - 8/31/2003 12:29:00 AM
smtp server by mmm - 6/25/2003 1:47:00 AM
cable - cat5 vs cat5e ? by Gale - 6/27/2003 12:38:00 PM
Re: cable - cat5 vs cat5e ? by Irishpub - 7/1/2003 10:59:00 AM
Win XP to Win 98 troublesome by Steven Abbott - 7/21/2003 8:21:00 AM
Printer sharing MacOSX and Win2000 by Douglas Ely - 9/7/2003 2:02:00 PM
networking please help by Pamela - 9/30/2003 8:52:00 PM
Re: networking please help by jay - 10/1/2003 7:45:00 PM
Cable ruined my home network by jackie - 10/8/2003 9:42:00 AM
Cable ruined my home network by jackie - 10/8/2003 9:42:00 AM
Re: Cable ruined my home network by Jackie` - 10/8/2003 7:56:00 PM
Networking XP home & 98SE by Sarge - 11/14/2003 9:58:00 PM
about networking how to by 202.51.91.7 - 11/16/2003 1:47:00 AM
best network system by Ryan - 12/2/2003 5:55:00 PM
XP Workgroup Printer Sharing by tink - 12/10/2003 11:56:00 PM
Re: XP Workgroup Printer Sharing by Md.Rezwanur Rahman - 12/22/2003 12:44:00 AM
networkin BEst by anup - 12/25/2003 9:11:00 AM
how can share the internet with cisco 2505 by chris - 12/28/2003 12:54:00 PM
Wireless home Networking by Lawrence Quaye - 1/10/2004 8:14:00 PM
Re: Wireless home Networking with Linksys by Claire - 1/14/2004 3:57:00 PM
home networking question? help! by joe - 1/25/2004 12:55:00 AM
Can somone advise me by Ray - 1/25/2004 6:36:00 PM
Re: Can somone advise me by Sam - 2/11/2004 3:44:00 PM
Wireless Networking... by Elliot Hand - 3/6/2004 4:34:00 PM
Re: Wireless Networking... by Karlos - 6/16/2004 4:45:00 AM
xp and mel by javier - 3/22/2004 1:12:00 PM
pleawse help by bob - 4/20/2004 9:18:00 PM
Wireless Network by Arun - 4/25/2004 4:02:00 PM
find computer vs network neighborhood by Stan Surloff - 4/27/2004 7:56:00 AM
Sharing files between 2 PCs wireless by Paul - 4/29/2004 7:43:00 PM
About File charing .... by Fernando - 5/8/2004 10:43:00 AM
Keep losing my connections!! by Carl - 5/11/2004 3:55:00 AM
seriously problem in the HomePNA by Ang - 5/17/2004 10:13:00 PM
networking two 98 computers by Tatt - 5/24/2004 3:33:00 AM
XP LAN network by Webmark2004 - 5/26/2004 4:05:00 PM
It works! Win XP & 98 file share! by nick - 6/4/2004 2:16:00 AM
Re: It works! Win XP & 98 file share! by vadali - 6/24/2006 2:08:00 AM
It works! Win XP & 98 file share! by nick - 6/4/2004 2:17:00 AM
HELP ME PLEASE!!! by Chris - 6/11/2004 5:36:00 PM
Re: HELP ME PLEASE!!! by Karlos - 6/16/2004 4:47:00 AM
Please o please by i hate ip addressing - 6/11/2004 8:24:00 PM
Networking computers for internet access by Carolyn - 6/16/2004 10:08:00 AM
pc lan gaming by S Crez - 6/19/2004 5:30:00 PM
Networking Help !! by Raed - 6/26/2004 6:37:00 AM
THANK YOU by nellie - 7/12/2004 4:19:00 AM
Windows XP networked to Windows 98 by CrazyMrTwister - 7/29/2004 2:56:00 PM
HELP ! - Printer sharing by Dave Broadhurst - 8/4/2004 9:43:00 AM
network problem by saiful - 8/11/2004 12:03:00 AM
Re: network problem by Mr Optimistic - 9/6/2004 2:16:00 PM