2. Setting up the the hardware
Installing the cards: This should be a straightforward affair - simply open your computer case, stick the network card in anywhere it looks like it might fit, and close the case again! :-) Seriously, if you've never installed a card before then you might want an experienced friend over to help; but it's actually pretty basic and you shouldn't be afraid to try.
Connecting the cables: Depending on what kind of network you're setting upÂ…
- A coaxial cable network: Connect a T-piece to the BNC connector (the coaxial connector) on each network card. Then, hook up a coaxial cable between each computer, connecting each end of cable to a T-piece. You should now have all your computers connected in a line (albeit a short line if there's only 2 computers!) At each end of the "line" there should be a free connector on a T-piece - to these 2 free connectors you should connect the BNC terminators. That's it - all the hardware is connected! Note: I read recently that one of the BNC terminators (not both) should be grounded by being connected to the metal casing of the computer it's near via a piece of wire or chain. Apparently this increases the speed and stability of the network. I had never heard of this before, but I'm going to give it a try and see what happens!
- UTP crossover cable with 2 computers: This one is simple - plug each end of the cable into the computers' UTP ports, just like plugging in a telephone cable. Done!
- UTP cables and a hub: Connect each UTP cable to a computer at one end and one of the ports of the hub at the other end. Most hubs have an "uplink" port, separate from the others (usually at the right). Don't connect any of the computers to this port! The hub also needs to be connected to a power source.
