Local Network and Internet Access Network Making Connections Local Network and Internet Access Network

(Usually provided by your ISP)‏ What you need! Broadband access modem (Usually provided by your ISP)‏ Workgroup Router Cat5 Ethernet cables For AARP computers - Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), new antivirus software to replace AVG. - Download from: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

NETWORK – BASICS LAN - Local Area Networks It’s a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (an office, office building, organization). A local area network may serve as few as two or three users or as many as ten on a Windows peer-to-peer network

NETWORK – BASICS Benefits of Networking Taxwise Only One Computer contains Taxpayer Data. Only One Computer Needs To Be Backed Up but All Can Access Returns. Sharing of Input/Output Devices (such as printers). Multiple computers access one Internet account.

NETWORK – BASICS Router Broadband Router is the network device of choice to connect computers to create a Local Area Network (LAN). Router default settings are set to automatically assign an IP address to each connected computer or device to create a network. A switch is built-in; more switches can be added. A network Share can now be created and accessed by all computers on the LAN.

NETWORK – BASICS Getting Started NETWORK Device Router Switch NIC Patch Cables TYPE: 4-8 Port 5-8 Port Included with Most Computers 14’ or 25’ (longer if required) COST: $35 & Up $15 & Up Included $4 & Up Where To Buy: www.tigerdirect.com www.newegg.com www.cdw.com www.bestbuy.com www.cnaweb.com www.microcenter.com www.geeks.com www.pchcables.com There are many Internet websites that sell Network hardware.

Preparing your Computer Windows ‘as installed’ will have all the settings already enabled for connecting to the Internet The following changes are helpful for verifying and troubleshooting if there is a problem

Show common tasks Open any folder, such as ‘My Documents’ From the ‘Tools’ menu select: ‘Folder Options’ Click to “Show common tasks in folders”

Auto Search and Use Simple From the same ‘Folder Options’ window, select the ‘View’ Tab The first item in the list should be disabled (un-checked)‏ The last item in the list should be disabled (un-checked)‏

Automatically search for network folders and printers = OFF I recommend that “Hide extensions” also be unchecked

Use simple file sharing = OFF

Setting Computer Name From the Control Panel, select ‘System’ Select the ‘Computer Name’ tab Click on the ‘Change’ button Set ‘Computer Name’ to be unique (It is recommended to use the AARP asset ID number from the ID sticker)‏ Set ‘Workgroup’ (VOLGROUP is recommended)‏

Select the TAB ‘Computer Name’ Click on the ‘Change’ button

Set ‘Computer Name’ to be UNIQUE Set ‘Workgroup’ to VOLGROUP NOTE: If you changed the ‘Computer Name’ - REBOOT

Connecting the cables First connect one CAT5 cable from the WAN port of the router to the broadband modem’s connection or the cable to a site router and power up the router Connect one CAT5 cable from the router’s LAN ports to each computer

Sharing Internet Access

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now connected To verify your Internet connection simply open the ‘Internet Explorer’

NETWORK – Multiple OS LAN - Local Area Network Setup Networking Computers with multiple Windows operating systems is OK Use only Microsoft supported OS (Windows XP, VISTA, and Windows 7) DO NOT USE or JOIN a Win7 HOMEGROUP! Basic networking procedures apply to all Windows Operating Systems

NETWORK – Multiple OS In order to setup a LAN using multiple Windows OS, the following is critical: 1) Use the same workgroup on ALL laptops 2) Use a router (do not use a switch) to setup LAN 3) Use the same Windows username and password for all computers on the LAN – Do not rename an existing username. Make a new username.

NETWORK – Multiple OS 4) A printer share name should be unique and recognizable (DO NOT USE THE DEFAULT SHARE NAME) 5) When sharing a printer with multiple OS, be sure that ALL OS DRIVERS are on the computer which is the print server (see Appendix A) If these concepts are adhered to there will be few network issues

NETWORK – Appendix A Add printer drivers for other versions of Windows When sharing a printer using other versions of Windows (Windows XP, VISTA 32/64, Win 7) The printer should be connected to the computer with the latest operating system. Install additional printer drivers on the host computer so users can connect to the printer without being prompted to install the drivers missing from their systems. The drivers are on the printer Support CD or can be downloaded from the Printer website.

NETWORK – Appendix A (Con’t) Add printer drivers for other versions of Windows Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes to open. Right-click the printer for which you want to install the additional Drivers and then click Properties. Extra printer drivers for older systems will appear as options on the newest operating system. XP won’t show Vista and 7 options.

NETWORK – Appendix A (Con’t) Add printer drivers for other versions of Windows On the Sharing tab, click Additional Drivers. In the Additional Drivers dialog Box select the check boxes for the operating systems you need and then click OK.

NETWORK – Appendix A (Con’t) Add printer drivers for other versions of Windows You will be asked for the location of the additional drivers (CD or Filename where you downloaded the latest driver from the printer Company website and unzipped the printer drivers).

Questions??? QUESTIONS???