How to Connect Ethernet Networking Devices When Designing a LAN
One of the final steps in setting up your LAN (local area network) is connecting Ethernet networking devices. The first step in designing your LAN is deciding where to place those devices. Let's say that you have one computer already connected to the Internet via DSL or cable modem. We'll call this the family computer. You now want to set up a network so that a home office computer and a laptop computer will also have high-speed Internet access.
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Things You'll Need
- Two or more computers or laptops
- Network adapter for each computer or laptop
- Wired or wireless network router
- Ethernet cable for each network device
- Networking software
Instructions
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1
Check each device that you want to connect to your network for a network adapter, also called a network interface card or NIC card. For your laptop, you want a wireless network adapter. If a computer has a wired NIC card, you will need Ethernet cable long enough to reach the router. Another option is to replace the wired NIC card with a wireless one.
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2
Choose a network router. Routers come in wired and wireless versions. For our example, a four-port wireless router will give you the flexibility for expansion and the ability to use the laptop throughout your home.
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3
Obtain separate Ethernet cables for each wired network device including the router.
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Shut down all of your equipment. Unplug the power cord to your modem. Turn off the desktop computers and laptop. Remove the Ethernet cable from the back of the family computer and plug it into the WAN (or Internet or WLAN) port on your router. Plug the other end of this cable into the modem.
Plug one end of a new Ethernet cable into port number 1 on the router and plug the other end into the NIC card on your family computer. Run the second Ethernet cable from port number 2 on the router to the NIC card on your office computer. Your Ethernet networking devices are now connected.
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Plug in the power cord to your modem. Wait 30 seconds and plug in the router power cord. Restart the family computer and follow the manufacturer's instructions to configure your router. Use the computer's help and support files for instructions on how to configure the office computer and laptop to connect to your new network.
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Tips & Warnings
Category 5e Ethernet network cables are the most popular cables for home networks and come in varying lengths.
Connect a printer to one of your computers and all of the computers on your network can print to it.
Xbox and Playstation 2 are examples of other devices that you can connect to your network and play games over the Internet.
Most wireless network routers have ports to connect wired network devices. The opposite is not true. Wired network routers cannot connect to wireless network devices.
Placing a modem and router too close together can sometimes cause interference. Place your router 1 to 3 feet from the modem.
