How To Connect A Network Hub

When expanding a computer network, or building a new one

, you may want to use an Ethernet hub as the connecting device. This simple device can connect multiple computers together, allowing all of them to share information. If you don't need the enhanced features of a router or a switch, this could be the perfect option for your network.

To set up the hardware, you first find the WAN or uplink port on the Ethernet hub. This is typically located on the back of the device, separate from the LAN ports. Connect an Ethernet cable from that WAN port to either the Ethernet port of your modem or if you are expanding your network connect it to an empty LAN port on your router, switch or existing hub.

Take another Ethernet cable and plug it into one of the LAN ports on the new hub, then connect the other end to one of the computers you will be networking. Repeat this process for each of the computers you will be adding to your network. Now plug in the hub to power it up, and check that all the lights are on for each of the corresponding ports you used. If any lights are not on that should be, re-check your connections and replace any faulty Ethernet cables.

Now it's time for your software setup. For this you will need to configure the network settings on each connected computer. If you are expanding your network and it uses DCHP or dynamic IP addressing, you will not need to configure their settings. If your network uses static IP addressing, or for a new network setup, each computer must be assigned a unique IP address.

Remember that the local IP addresses must by chosen from the allowed "private" address pool so they don't interfere with Internet addresses. Addresses you can use include 192.168.x.x, 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x, or 10.x.x.x - with "x" representing any number from 0 to 254 that is selected by the user. All the computers on the network must share the first 3 sets of numbers, with the final number unique to that computer.

Now that is done, click the "start" button in Windows, select "Control Panel" and double-click on "Network Connections." Right click the icon for the Ethernet adapter and select "Properties". Now click on the check box marked "Internet Protocol (TCP/ICP)" and press the "Properties" button.

Next click on the button marked "Use the following IP address". Enter an IP address (as described two paragraphs above) that is unique to each computer and the subnet mask. If you have a router, enter the IP address for the router as the default gateway. Press the OK button and reboot if needed.

Enable file and printer sharing if files will be transferred between the networked computers. Next click on the "Start" button and select "Control Panel", then double click on "System" icon. Select "Computer Name" and click on the label to "Change" and set the computer's network name. Enter a unique name for each computer on the network. In the "Member of" section, choose the button marked "Workgroup" and enter the workgroup name of the network. All computers on the network must share the same workgroup name. Verify that all computers can access the network and internet and you're done!

by: Jim Witt.

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