Take inventory of all the
hardware you’ve purchased and you own. You should have a hub, switch, or
router and possibly a cable, DSL, or satellite modem. You’ll also have
an Ethernet cable for connecting each computer. You’ll have two types of
setup options as well: one that includes a broadband modem and one that
does not.
Connect a Cable, DSL, or Satellite Modem
If you have an
external modem (cable, DSL, satellite) and you are not sure whether it’s
connected properly or need to reinstall it, this section shows you how
to connect it. For the most part, this won’t be necessary because if you
already use a modem, it’ll already be set up and configured.
To set up a broadband modem, follow these steps:
1. | Connect
the modem to the PC with the Windows Vista operating system. You can
make the connection by using a USB or Ethernet port. For security
reasons, connecting with Ethernet is the better choice.
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2. | Connect
the modem to the cable outlet in the wall, and verify it’s connected to
a power outlet. Turn on the modem. Insert the CD that came with your
modem, and follow the installation instructions.
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3. | Verify the proper lights are blinking or lit on the modem before continuing.
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Connect a Hub, Switch, or Router
Physically
connecting a hub or switch usually doesn’t require a lot of effort. For
the most part, it’s as simple as inserting the Ethernet cables
properly. Installing a router is a bit more complex and requires you to
carefully follow the directions that came with it. So before you get
started, read the documentation that came with your hardware, and then
continue to the next section.
Hubs and Switches
Hubs and switches are
generally plug and play, which means you can connect the hub or switch,
install any device drivers that came with it, and then plug in your PCs
without any additional configuration required.
To install a hub or switch, follow these steps:
1. | Turn on your Windows Vista–based PC, and log on with an administrator account.
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2. | Connect the hub or switch to a power supply, and turn it on.
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3. | Look
at the hardware panel for blinking lights. The hub will perform several
self-tests. Read any documentation that came with the hub before
continuing.
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4. | Connect
the hub to the PC via Ethernet. When connecting, make sure you use the
hub’s Ethernet port marked 1, 2, 3, 4, or another number. Do not connect
by using the wide area network (WAN) port on the hub or switch; that’s
to connect your cable modem.
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5. | If
prompted, insert the driver disc that came with the hub or switch. This
may not be necessary, because Windows Vista may install the hub
automatically.
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6. | Verify
the light is on at the hub for the Ethernet port you used to connect
the PC. You’ll add other PCs by connecting them to the hub or switch.
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To include a cable, DSL, or satellite modem, follow these steps:
1. | Perform the steps for installing the hub or switch as detailed in the previous example.
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2. | Turn off the PC and hub or switch.
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3. | Connect
the hub to the modem with an Ethernet cable. From the modem, select the
Ethernet port. From the hub or switch, select WAN. If the modem’s
Ethernet port is being used to connect directly to a PC, disconnect it
from both the PC and the modem.
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4. | Turn
on the cable, DSL, or satellite modem. Wait at least two minutes for
the modem to cycle through the self-tests. If it’s already on, turn it
off and on again. (If you have a battery pack to keep it from turning
off, remove that for a few seconds, and then reinsert it.)
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5. | Turn on the hub or switch. Wait at least two minutes for the hardware to perform the self-tests.
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6. | Turn on the PC that is connected directly to the hub or switch.
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7. | Open the Network and Sharing Center. You’ll see something similar to what’s shown in Figure 1.
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Routers
Before
setting up your router, read all the instructions that came with it.
You’ll have to connect to the Internet to make it work, and you’ll have
to use Internet Explorer when configuring the router. Because setup
differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, it’s impossible to cover the
exact steps here. However, generally you’ll need to do the following:
1. | Install the router software. The software is on a disc included with the router.
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2. | Connect
the router to the cable modem and a PC. The router sits in the
(virtual) middle of the router and the PC. The router’s WAN port
connects to the modem’s Ethernet port; one of the router’s Ethernet
ports connects to the PC’s Ethernet port.
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3. | Run
the setup wizard provided by the router manufacturer. This process will
help you log on to the router by using a Web browser and the router’s
IP address. To log on, you’ll use the generic user name and password
provided. Once logged on, change your user name and password, and
continue the setup process.
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4. | When
logged on and at the router’s setup screen, configure how your ISP
obtains an IP address. Almost always it’s via Obtain An IP Address
Automatically. If you aren’t sure, call your ISP.
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5. | Save the changes and continue.
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Tip
If you have a PC that
does not have a port for plugging in an Ethernet cable (a.k.a. Ethernet
card or NIC), you have several choices. You can purchase a NIC, open the
case, and install the card; you can take the computer to a computer
repair shop and let the technicians add the card; or you can purchase a
USB-to-Ethernet converter. The latter is the easiest; all you have to do
is insert the hardware into any open USB port.
If
you are positive you’ve connected the hub, switch, router, cable modem,
and Ethernet cables properly but you do not have access to the Internet
or networked PCs, you need to recycle your hardware. You must do this
in a specific order to work, as listed here. Before starting, turn off
the PCs and unplug the hub, switch, or router.
POWER CYCLE THE CABLE MODEM
Unplug the power cord to
the modem. If the modem has a battery backup that does not allow it to
turn off, take out the battery as well. After a minute or so, plug the
modem back in, and reinsert the battery if applicable. The cable modem
will boot and run through myriad self-tests. After it’s fully rebooted
(usually between 30 seconds and 2 minutes after restoring power),
continue.
POWER CYCLE THE ROUTER
Turn on the hub, switch,
or router by plugging it back in and turning it on if necessary. Wait
for another few minutes to make sure the router has completed rebooted.
TURN ON THE PCS
Restart the PCs that are connected to the router.
