Setting Up Your Network Hardware

Before you can configure network software and begin sharing resources, you must install and configure the proper hardware. To set up a home or small office network, you'll need a network adapter for each computer, a central connection point, and cable to tie it all together. The following sections provide additional details for these steps in setting up a network:

  1. Install a network adapter in each computer.

  2. Set up the central connection point—typically a hub, switch, router, or residential gateway.

  3. Connect the cables.

When those steps are complete, you can configure the network connections.

Note

The descriptions in the following sections pertain specifically to Ethernet networks. The process of setting up other types ...

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