subject: Building A Home Network And Router Configuration Made Easy [print this page] It is not uncommon these days to have multiple computers in homes. Little we need to deliberate why they are useful. The most common reasons why it makes sense to have computers networked in homes are: they let users share some common resources like data files, printers, cameras and almost anything that is capable of being connected to a computer. However the mother of all reasons why a network is essential for home computers is that they let a single internet connection to be shared by many users at the same time. Years before installing a workable home network, unlike a standalone computer was a techies job and usually a little expensive; experts have to be called in; wires have to be laid and finally the routers configured precisely. Those days are gone for good. Router configuration these days is childs play even if you dont know a thing about routers. You dont even have to call a technician to your home to do it for you.
Wondering how all that is possible? Stop wondering. Help is just a call away and companies are providing remote networking services and maintenance on unprecedented scales these days. And all that 24/7 at a fraction of cost it takes to call in a techie. Besides creating the network they will also help you keep the network in good health, provide you with software solution and recommend the right kind of hardware be it wired or wireless routers. However, understanding home networks and how to configure them can help you manage those little occasional corrections that need to be made. That will make working on networks a pleasant experience, especially the configuring work. Here are the steps involved in configuring. But before you try that yourself, ensure that:
a.You have installed a network router. Whether it is wireless or wired dont matter. The choice between either will depend on the security environment, the feasibility, the network size and cost of course. Routers, remember, are independent hardware not usually attached to computers as standard fitting.
b.All computers have network adapters in place. They are the ones that help computers look out for signals from other computers and routers. In fact they are like the five senses of humans, without which nothing can be accomplished.
c.You have a modem and an active internet connection. Networks are for establishing connection between computers and unless you want to share internet connection, the modem is not an absolute necessity. May be you can do without it, if you want to.
d.A web browser is installed in all the computers (or at least in one computer). Web browser will let you check the internet and make configuration.
Once you have powered all the computers, the modem and the router you are ready to start the router configuring process: Here are the steps.
a.Connect the computer with the browser installed in it to the router using a network cable (even if you have opted for wireless). Open the browser and on the address bar type in "http://192.168.1.1" or "http://192.168.0.1". Either one should open the routers home, if they dont consult the router documentation to get the right address. Once the routers home page is open type in the user name and password that you can see in the routers documentation.
b.If you want the internet connected as well, you will have to type in the password and user name when prompted to do so. You may skip this step if you dont intend to include the internet at this stage.
c.Change the network name if it has something else that was set at the factory. Optionally you may keep it if you want to. Once that is done, all that you have to do next is verify if the computer has received the IP addresses. Next try accessing each computer and see if you can access data and programs in the other computers of the network. Likewise you may also try typing a website address to see if the internet works.
