How to Setup a Wired Network

For laptop and netbook users, wireless networks are all the rage because of the freedom of movement that removing cumbersome wiring provides. However, if you have a small network of desktop computers, using a wired network can actually offer many advantages such as increased network performance and better security. While wireless connections are convenient in many cases, using one leaves your network exposed to hackers or others that might want to penetrate your network. Wired connections greatly increase security on your network, as there is no wireless signal streamed from the router; thus, leaving your network open to possible attack.

Things You'll Need

• Router
• RJ-45 network cables

Instructions

Setting Up the Router

1. Connect a RJ-45 network cable to the "WAN" port on the router and to the "LAN" or "PC" port on the cable or DSL modem. Power on the router and the modem.

2. Open your Web browser, and navigate to the log in page for the router configuration utility. For most routers the IP address used to access the configuration utility is "192.168.0.1," "192.168.0.100" or something similar. Refer to the user guide for your router to determine the actual IP address you must use, and the default user name and password to access the configuration utility.

3. Log in to the router configuration utility with the default username and password. Click the "Setup" or "Install" wizard button, then follow the prompts to set up your broadband Internet connection with the router. In most cases, you simply need to enter the username and password supplied by your Internet service provider; the router should detect the connection type automatically.

4. Save the configuration changes, and exit the utility.

Connecting PCs to Router

1. Go to one of the computers that you want to connect to the router. Connect a RJ-45 cable to the LAN port on the rear of the PC. If connecting a laptop to the network, the port might be on the side of the computer. Connect the other end of the cable into the "LAN 1" or "Port 1" port on the router.

2. Connect the next computer to "LAN 2" or "Port 2" on the router. Connect additional PCs or laptops to the router as needed.

3. Go to one of the connected computers. Click "Start," then "Control Panel." Click "Network and Internet."

4. Click "Network and Sharing Center" in the "Network and Internet" window. Click the "Change Adapter Settings" link on the left side of the new window.

5. Right-click the "Local Area Connection" adapter link, then click "Properties." Double-click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in the list "Networking" window. Verify that the "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" options are active. Click the "OK" button. Click "OK" in the "Networking" window to close it.

6. Click the "back-arrow" button at the top of the "Network Connections" window to return to the "Network and Sharing Center" screen. Verify that the "Internet" icon at the top of the screen is active and not greyed out. Close the "Networking and Sharing Center" window. Open your Web browser and browse the Internet normally.

7. Verify connection settings on the other connected computers.

Tips & Warnings

• If your router does not have enough ports to accommodate all the machines on your network, connect an inexpensive network hub or switch to the router to add ports for the LAN. To do this, connect an RJ-45 cable to the first port on the hub or switch, then connect the other end of the cable to the last port on the router. Connect additional computers to the hub or switch and use normally.

• You can also share files and folders on a wired network. However, you must configure all the computers on the network with the same "Workgroup" name. To do this, open "Control Panel," then "System." Click "Advanced System Settings," then "Computer Name." Click the "Network ID button," and enter the desired name for the Workgroup. Configure all computers on the network to use the same Workgroup name.

References

• Dummies.com; Install a Wired Network; Andy Rathbone
• Indiana University: Manually Setting Up a Wired Network Connection in Windows
• Dell: Getting Started with Your Wired Network
• Microsoft Windows: Setting Up a Home Network