The day has finally arrived -- the kids have their own computer for
school work, your spouse has a new laptop and you have a remodeled home
office. As a result, you are ready to set up a home network. The
problem is that you have no idea where to begin, let alone what is
needed and how to make sure it is secure.
Microsoft has prepared
a series of instructions that will go a long way in assisting you in
getting the job done correctly, available from Windows Vista Help:
Router
A
device that sends, or routes, information between two networks (for
example, between a home network and the Internet). Routers find the
quickest paths for sending information, which makes network connections
faster. Routers can be wired or wireless.
Icon
A small picture that represents a file, folder, program, or other object or function.
Broadband connection
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Broadband connection
A
high-speed Internet connection. Broadband connections are typically 256
kilobytes per second (KBps) or faster. Broadband includes DSL and cable
modem service.
Ethernet
A
networking standard that uses cables to provide network access.
Ethernet is the most widely installed technology for connecting
computers.
Network adapter
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Network adapter
A device that connects your computer to a network. Sometimes called a network interface card (NIC).
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
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Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A
set of rules, called network protocols, that computers use to exchange
information over the Internet and over home and business networks.
TCP/IP includes standards for how computers communicate and conventions
for connecting networks.
Modem
A
device that allows computer information to be transmitted and received
over a telephone line or through broadband services such as cable or
DSL. Modems are most commonly used to connect to the Internet.
Network
A
group of computers or other devices, such as printers and scanners,
that communicate either wirelessly or by using a physical connection,
such as an Ethernet cable or a phone line.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
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Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
A type of high-speed Internet connection using standard telephone wires. This is also referred to as a broadband connection.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
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Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
A
Microsoft Windows technology that allows computers on a network to
access online services through a single Internet connection.
Internet service provider (ISP)
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Internet service provider (ISP)
A
company that provides Internet access to individuals or companies. An
ISP provides a telephone number, a user name, a password, and other
connection information so that users can access the Internet through
the ISP's computers. An ISP typically charges a monthly or hourly
connection fee.
Should you need some extra assistance,
Vista 4 Beginners has some additional tutorials that may come in handy:
While you're at
Vista 4 Beginners, you may also want to learn
How to setup a Bluetooth connection.
There
is so much to learn, I suggest taking it one step at a time. Read all
the instructions first, assemble the parts, read the instructions again
and start slowly. If in doubt, read the instructions again. Good luck!
After you have completed setting up you network, follow the instructions from the
Vista Knowledgebase on how to create a
Vista Network Map
Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...
Posted
Oct 29 2007, 07:05 PM
by
Corrine
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