Each PC will need a hardware device called a network adapter. It looks like a modem or video card, with the exception that it has a port for an 8 wire jack. This jack looks like a phone plug connection. It's called an RJ-45 jack. The cable used to network the PC is called UTP or Unshielded Twisted Pair cable. If there are no plans to network any more than two PC's, then it is only necessary to go to a conputer or office supply store and purchase a CROSSOVER Cable. It is sometimes colored yellow. When used, the cable connects the transmit wires on one PC to the receive wires on the other PC and vice versa. Maybe your PC came with a network card installed. If not, installation is simple. Follow these steps:
- Shut down your PC and disconnect the power cord from the back of the PC.
- Remove the cover of the PC and look for an empty white slot on the main board.
- Remove the blanking plate in front of the slot where you plan to insert your network card.
- Remove the card from packaging and insert into the empty slot, pressing firmly on each end of the top of the card.
- When it is inserted evenly (look at the base against the slot) replace the screw to secure the card.
- Replace the PC cover and reattach the power cord.
- Power up the PC. Win9x will identify the unknown device. Have the CD or floppy disk handy that came with the network card.
- When prompted by the install wizard, insert the CD or floppy into the proper drive. Check the appropriate box to search for the driver on the disk you inserted (floppy or CD-ROM).
- The install wizard will search the disk for the appropriate driver for the card installed. The PC will then automatically reboot.
- After rebooting the network card will need to be configured and you'll decide how the two PC's will share resources. Right-click on the new desktop icon called Network Neighborhood and choose Properties from the drop-down menu that appears.
- In the middle of the window now on the screen is a button called ADD. Use it to add a new protocol for communication between the two PC's. Click the ADD button then choose PROTOCOL in the list of items.
- A window opens with a list of several vendors of Protocols. Choose Microsoft in the left column and NetBEUI in the right column.
- Click OK. You may be prompted for your Win98 install CD unless cab files were copied to your hard drive.
- When the protocol is installed choose OK and/or CLOSE to close all windows and reboot the PC.
- After rebooting you have some options. Networking is all about sharing resources on one PC or system with another. IF you want files to be seen by the other PC (#2) you must do two things on PC #1. First, right-click on Network Neighborhood and choose Properties from the drop-down menu.
- Click the File & Print Sharing button in the middle of the window that opens.
- Choose what is to be shared with PC #2 (Files, a Printer, or Both) by checking one or both boxes.
- Finally, if you are sharing files with PC #2 double-click on My Computer icon on the desktop and right-click on the drive containing the files you want to be able to see on PC #2. A drop-down menu appears. Choose SHARING and click the radio button next to SHARE AS.
- Drive (C:) is now being shared with PC #2.
- See Mapping a Network Drive or Installing a Network Printer to complete this topic.
In this scenario PC #1 will share the contents of its main hard drive (C:) with PC #2. The C: drive was made sharable (see Networking Two PC's) so that PC #2 could map the drive and view the files and folders. PC #2 maps the C: drive by double-clicking on Network Neighborhood and then double-clicking on the computer name of PC #1. A window opens and all shared drives and printers are listed for PC #1. Right-click on the folder labled "C" and from the drop-down menu choose Map Network Drive. A window opens. A drive letter is already chosen (maybe F, G, or H) and the Path to the drive appears below the drive letter. Choose OK. Now PC #2 has a C: drive, a D: drive, an E: CD-ROM drive and an F: network drive to C: on PC #1. Double-click on My Computer to confirm this.
A network printer is a printer connected to a PC's parallel printer port (PC #1), yet available for printing from another PC (PC #2) that is networked to PC #1 (see Networking Two PC's). Making this printer available to PC #2 is similar to mapping a network drive. To make the printer on PC #1 available to PC #2, first be seated in front of PC #1. Right-click on Network Neighborhood and choose Properties from the drop-down menu. A window will open. Click the File and Print Sharing button. Check the box for "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printers". Close and reboot your PC. After the PC reboots open the Control Panel window and double-click on the Printers icon. A window will open listing the printer(s) installed on PC #1. Right-click on the printer to be shared with PC #2. Choose Sharing from the drop-down menu that appears. Make the printer sharable and give the printer a name (DeskJet 710). Click OK. Now be seated in front of PC #2. Double-click on Network Neighborhood. A window will open and the computer name of PC #1 will appear. Double-click on the icon for PC #1. A window will open. Right-click on the name of the printer to be shared (DeskJet 710). Choose INSTALL from the drop-down menu that appears. Files will be copied to PC #2. Upon completion the printer will be listed in the Printers window.
When more than two PC's are networked together they must connect to a network HUB . A Hub is a simple piece of hardware with several jacks to plug network cables into. Each PC has a network card (see Networking Two PC's) and a UTP cable running from the installed network card to the hub. No crossover cable is used in this case. The cables are straight through to the network hub. All other networking steps are followed in the example of networking two PC's (step #10 and forward).