MozillaQuest Magazine - Computer Connections at Home, Office, & School

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Article Index

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Introduction

The Internet Is a Network

Why Network?

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Printer Sharing

File Sharing

Collaboration

Game Play

Get Connected

Internet Connection Sharing

Setting Up an Ethernet LAN

Getting Started

Add a Laptop

USB Network Connection

Conclusion

Resources & Links

Using an USB Network Adapter to Connect to Your Ethernet LAN

Netgear has a nifty little USB NIC, the Netgear EA-101C USB Ethernet Adapter. Although the 10-Mbps USB NIC is slower than the 100-Mbps PCI NICs, you

Netgear USB Ethernet Adapter & Ethernet cable

simply can plug the USB NIC into a USB port on your computer. The PCI NICs although faster require that you pop the hood on your computer to install them. Also, an USB NIC does not require an IRQ whereas a PCI NIC requires an IRQ.

Perhaps the easiest way to set up an Ethernet network is to buy a switch, cables, and USB NICs. Then all you have to do is plug the USB NICs into USB ports on the computers on one end and the switch on the other end. Then simply install the software and voilà, you have a network.

Conclusion

If you have more than one computer at home or at the office, you ought to network them. It's easy to do and affordable -- especially if you use Linux, Windows 2000, Windows 98 SE, or Windows ME. The best bang for the buck is an Ethernet network.

Resources

Some Basics for Computing & Networking Novices

Getting Started with Wireless Network Technology: Part I: A Simple Wireless Computer Connection for Home, Office, or School

Dual Boot Linux and Windows to Get the Best of Both Operating System Worlds

Products Discussed in Article

D-Link Networking Products

NetGear Products

Caldera OpenLinux

networking by example

Networking Books:

Here are some books to help you with networking. They cover different user levels, take different approaches, and discuss different networking features. Pick the book or books that suit your needs best.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Networking Your Home, Que Books, ISBN 0-7897-1963-0. $17

Networking by Example, Que Books, 0-7897-2356-5. $38

Peter Norton's Complete Guide To Networking, Sams, ISBN 0-672-31593-9. $30

Samba Primer Plus, Sams, ISBN 0-672-21932-2. $35. (Use Samba to share Windows and Linux files on the same network.)

Sams Teach Yourself Windows Networking in 24 Hours, Sams, ISBN: 0-672-31475-4. $20

This Wired Home: The Microsoft Guide to Home Networking, 2nd Ed, Microsoft Press, ISBN 0-7356-1158-0. $30

Understanding the Network, A Practical Guide to Internetworking, New Riders, ISBN 0735709777. $40

The End