Networks

A network is a group of computers connected together. The reason you have a network is to share your files and printers. You can share other bits but it gets harder. To make a network, each computer needs a Network Interface Card or NIC and some cable.

Old 10Mbit cards can use co-axial cable but this style of network has been almost entirely replaced by twisted pair cable. Twisted pair cable is called CAT5 or Category 5 twisted pair and comprises four pairs of wires. This allows you to use 10Mbit,  100Mbit or the faster 1000Mbit cards. 1000Mbit or 1Gbit NICs cost about the same price as 100Mbit cards but of course they are much faster.

If you only have two computers you can use a twisted pair crossover cable. For more than two computers you need an extra component called a hub/router/switch. Let's just call it a hub. A 1000Mbit hub costs a bit more than a 100Mbit hub. Each computer is connected into the hub forming a star shaped network.

If you have or are intending to use ADSL Internet, you can share the Internet across your network by plugging the ADSL modem into the switch/hub using the Ethernet socket in the modem.

The Microsoft networking software came along with dear old Windows for Workgroups and has since been a part of Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT and XP. Once you have installed and configured the software and the NICs, you can transfer files from one computer to the other and you can share all the printers attached to computers on the network.

Like all new-to-you software and hardware, this can be difficult to configure. Find a knowledgeable friend to help you.