Just about any computer can become part of a network. Before you take the first step, make sure you have all the basic requirements. The computers you will be networking should at least have the following:

1. A 486 processor or better
Windows 95/98/2000/Me or NT installed for a PC. Or the Mac OS operating system for Macintosh computers. Besides the hardware requirements there are software requirements, which are already built into most operating systems. These operating systems are made to be easily set up to work within a network.
10MB of hard disk space
A network interface card for your computer. If you don't have one already preinstalled, make sure your computer has an available ISA/PCI slot for desktops (or USB), and an available PC card slots for laptop PCs. For Apple computers, most newer models Macintosh computers already have a network card built in. If not, then Apple Network cards may be purchased for your specific Mac.

Current versions of Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems have built-in applications and utilities to help create, maintain and administer a network. Windows98 and Windows-Me have simpler networking features that have been designed to suit home and small business needs. WindowsNT and Windows2000 are geared toward larger business needs and offer flexibility for several different organizational interactions. The new Apple Macintosh OSX also has a very powerful networking system aimed toward large business requirements.

Hardware (ie. computers, printers, scanners) needs to be connected to one another in order to be part of the network.

The most popular network uses connecting cables to attach computer hardware to networking hardware. This is known as a wired network and the most popular of these is an Ethernet network. Ethernets can operate at 3 different speeds: 10BaseT, 100BaseTX, and 1000BaseT.

10BaseT was the first Ethernet speed and means that information can be shared across a network at speeds up to 10MB per second. That's 10 Million bits of information per second. Sounds pretty fast, doesn't it?

As more businesses began using computers and as larger Ethernets developed, 10BaseT wasn't meeting the needs of very demanding workgroups. As such, 100BaseTX was developed and operates at up to 100MB per second. That's 10-times faster than 10BaseT. Many 100BaseTX Ethernet hardware items were designed to be friendly to both speeds. This allowed greater versatility among networks and provided room for growth while still operating with slower equipment. 100BaseTX is also called 'Fast Ethernet'.

1000BaseT is the newest speed, 1,000MB per second. That's up to 1 Billion bits of information per second. Though still less commonly used that its predecessors, 1000BaseT (also known as Giga-nets) is gaining popularity among very large workgroup environments. It can also be backward compatible with 10BaseT and 100BaseTX.

Virtually any product from any manufacturer that is compatible with 10BaseT, 100BaseTX and (sometimes) 1000BaseT can be used on an Ethernet network.

There are also Wireless Networks. These are designed for smaller networks, applicable to homes or small offices. They are usually slower than wired networks. Networking hardware is usually brand-specific which means that it will only work with its own particular system. Intel AnyPoint will only work with other AnyPoint accessories.

Let's first go over key hardware that would be used in wired Ethernet networking systems. Some manufacturers even make special Network Starter Kits to help simplify Ethernet creation.

Networking starter kits are available from manufacturers like Linksys, Iogear, Belkin, and 3Com. These kits come with everything you need to start your own small network including all the software and hardware. Most kits come with two network cards, a hub and wiring. Below is a networking hardware checklist, which briefly explains what you'll need when networking, and how each device works.

Network Adapter
A network adapters or a Network Interface Card (NIC) is what connects your computer to the central networking device. What this adapter essentially does is give your computer an RJ45 port for networking. This adapter can be internal or external. Some newer model desktops and notebooks come already preinstalled with a NIC. If you don't have a network card installed, you may purchase one separately. Internal adapters come in the form of a card that fits into expansion slots on most computers. On desktop computers these cards usually connect with to a 16-bit or 32-bit slot. Know which one you need before buying a card (286, 386, and 486 computers usually use a 16-bit slot - Pentiums usually have 32-bit or PCI slots). Although rare, some NICs connect to a computer via USB port. Special network adapters are available for notebook computers without expansion slots. These adapters fit into a PCMCIA slot if available. NICs are made by a variety of different manufacturers including Belkin, Hosa, Macsense, SMC, Linksys, Netgear, Sohoware, 3Com, Intel, Farallon, Xircom, Asante, Orange Micro, New Media Corp., Panasonic, and Adaptec. Click here to shop for network interface adapters.

Cables
Ethernet connection cables appear similar to modular telephone cables but are thicker and have a larger connector, RJ45 plug. Also lovingly referred by some technicians as '2-Wire twisted CAT 5', this cable is commonly used for 10BaseT and 100BaseTX systems. Although RJ45 cables may also work with 1000BaseT, these larger workgroups may opt for costlier and faster fiber-optic cables. The use of fiber-optics is still considered the rare exception than the norm. Click here to shop for networking cables

Hubs
A hub is a box that is used to gather groups of computers together at a central location with Ethernet cabling. Each computer station, printer or other networked peripheral is connected to a port of the hub. Hubs are sold with varying amounts of ports. A small network may get by with a 4-port hub. Larger networks may require larger hubs.

One really nice thing about these hubs is that most are upgradeable, for expanding network capacities. Most hubs allow you to place Ethernet cable in the last port of a hub and connect the other end of the cable into a port of another hub. This is known as 'stacking' hubs. You can often stack as many as 8 hubs, depending on the manufacturer. You can stack a 4-port hub with an 8-port hub to get 12 ports on your network, for example.

Like network cards, hubs are available in both standard (10Mbps) and Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) versions. Most currently available hubs have the ability to auto-sense (automatically adjust) to either 10BaseT or 100BaseTX. If you connect a 10BaseT device into a port of a 100BaseTX hub, that port will function as 10BaseT.

Networking hubs are available from manufacturers like Keyspan, Netgear, SMC, Macally, 3Com, Linksys, Targus, Xircom, Belkin, Lava Computer, Sohoware, ADS Technologies, Asante, Intel, and Panasonic.

Hubs vs. Switches
With hubs, you have each computer sharing one main connection, with a switch, each computer has its own dedicated bandwidth. If you are going to network together less that 10 computers a hub would work just fine. If you'll be connecting more than 10 computers, and expect user to use their computers at the same time, switches will work better. When using switches there will be no bottlenecks when you're downloading or sharing large, data-intensive files (like you use with multimedia, CAD/CAM, and other complex applications). Click here to shop for hubs and switches

Routers
Routers link local networks to some form of remote network. They are used for Internet access, LAN-to-LAN connections of a wide area (intranet), or high speed remote access for a user or a branch office over an ISDN line. Routers may also be used to provide alternate access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a fast modem (ADSL, Cable, T1) Routers are primarily used for Internet. Routers can have integrated hubs. Click here to shop for routers

Broadband Internet Connections
In the simplest terms, broadband (broad bandwidth) is a high-speed Internet connection that allows access to the Web up to 50 times faster than with "dial-up" methods. Best of all, broadband means that your Internet access is always on and always available. There is no need to dial, tie up a phone line, or be "booted off" line, because your Internet connection is via a special high-speed modem supplied by your broadband service provider (BSP). Broadband means users can enjoy video conferencing, interactive games, music downloads and even voice applications over the Internet. Although not always available in all areas of the country, broadband Internet service providers across the country are offering DSL and Cable Internet connections.

DSL
DSL or Digital Subscriber Line, is a new and improved modem connection that allows computer users to retrieve information at quick speeds. Unlike ISDN technology, to get a DSL connection you don't need to install a special phone line. You do, however need a special modem. DSL modems may connect at a rate up to 1.5MB per second, which is more than 25 times faster than a 56K modem, and 10 times quicker than an ISDN line. Some new high-end model computers come already equipped with a DSL modem. Speed comes at a cost to users. Local telephone companies, and other DSL providers charge a monthly service fee between $40-$80 a month for connections like these.

Cable Modems
Cable modems allow users to access the Internet via the same coaxial cable that brings cable television into their homes. This option is available for only some people in the United States. There is a monthly fee for service, which averages about $40. The connection and download speeds of a cable connection are similar to that of a DSL connection, which is about 800Kbps to 1.5Mbps. There is also Internet service provided by national satellite companies that usually cost close to $100 a moth plus the price of equipment.

In a wired network, all computers are hooked up to a central station (a hub) with wires. What if you have a laptop? The inconvenience of always having to be attached to a wire while using the network has brought about wireless networking. For businesses, wiring may be very difficult when walls are not suitable for running wires through them. In this case, wireless networking may be more advantageous.

Wireless networking uses radio frequency to relay information between computers. Wired networks communicate at 10 million bits per second and faster. Wireless networks start at about 1 million bits per second. Wireless networking is generally more expensive than wired network setups.

Wireless networking gives you greater flexibility to move your computers anywhere you want in your home or office. Just like wired networks, every computer that will need network access must have a special wireless network interface card.

Access Points
An access point (or base station) in any wireless network is the central station where all computers communicate with. There are two ways in which access points may be set up. The first way is to use hardware to set up a station and the other way is to set up a computer with software. Essentially what you're setting up are mini servers to supply access to the network at any given time.

Hardware Points
Special devices are made to be central points in any wireless network. There are dedicated hardware access points like Apple's Airport Base Station or WebGear's AviatorPRO. Hardware access points offer comprehensive support of most wireless features, but check your requirements carefully. Many hardware access points are rather small in size and come with a standard RJ-11 port and an RJ-45 port.

Software Points
By setting up a Software Access Point, you will be able to have all wireless networked computers communicate with a computer configured with wireless networking software. The advantage of having this setup is that a one of the computers to be networked can easily fill this position. The potential disadvantage is that this particular computer must be powered on all the time.

Range
Each access point has a certain range within which a wireless connection can be maintained between the networked computer and the access point. The actual distance varies depending upon the environment; manufacturers typically state both indoor and outdoor ranges to give an idea as to how reliable performance will be. Typical indoor ranges are about 150-300 feet, but can be shorter depending on interferences (radio frequencies, building constructions).

Outdoor ranges are quoted up to 1000 feet, but again this depends upon the environment.

For more information on wireless networking click here.

What do you need to start networking computers at home? Not much. In fact, you can easily set up a network using by using two computers. If you only have two computers to network, with the use of what is called "crossover cables" you will be able to file share with another computer. This is probably the most cost effective solution but not at all the most effective. Information going back and fourth between both computers has to squeeze over one wire.

Another solution is to network computers using existing telephone line connections at home. You'll even be able to use your home phone line while the network is running. You won't experience any interference because the networking signal runs at a higher frequency than your voice. The only major drawback to this solution is that your computer has to be physically close to a phone jack. This setup is better known as HPNA.

HPNA
HPNA is short for Home Phoneline Network Alliance. The alliance is made up of over 100 companies, that have come together to produce a single home phoneline networking standard. Some of the founders are IBM, AT&T and Compaq. Also members are manufacturers of network product themselves like 3Com, Cisco, and Xircom. This means that if you buy one company's home phoneline network hardware it must work with another company's equipment, as long as they both adhere to the standard. The most recent standard is HPNA 2.0.

The best part about file sharing and networking is that the software part is pretty much taken care of. If you have a Windows 95 operating system or higher, you're all set to network. All the networking software you need is built into your operating system. Just turn on the appropriate protocol within the networking control panel. You can then turn on file sharing and share your hard drives. Keep in mind that when file sharing is on, you're on the Internet. Hackers and other malicious folk could break into your system, so you should consider implementing a firewall or other security system.

Windows ME has something called Enhanced Home Networking. It comes with an improved Home Networking Wizard that simplifies the process of setting up a home network, and Internet Connection Sharing allows users to share a single Internet connection across multiple PC's.

The New Windows XP to be released in Fall 2001 has even more flexibility for connectivity and networking. Network connectivity can be achieved using two other wizards, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and the Connectivity Wizard. The two lets people share a high-speed connection as easily as they can share a dial up connection, and it can be configured to dial out to your ISP on demand if necessary. The Connectivity Wizard makes it easy to connect to another network computer or virtual private network.

Firewalls
Firewalls are systems that control the access of information between any two networks. Firewalls can be used to block access or allow access to a certain network. The main purpose of a Firewall is to keep intruders out of your network, as there may be confidential files over your network, and private information shared over the Web. Once you enable the files sharing option on most operating systems, you are susceptible to intruders at any time. Network Firewalls may be purchased as software from a variety of Manufacturers like Symantec, Intego, O'Reilly and McAfee. Internet Firewalls may also be built into broadband routers.