'Net Insights
6/28/03 NO. 3
Jim Wilson

Home Networks (now it gets technical)

In the first two installments we did an overview of connecting to the Internet and of network security. This week we will talk about setting up a robust wired and wireless network at home or small business. The information presented is for information purposes only. It might be useful when you have someone else do it and want to make sure the job is done right.

Assumptions:
1- You have a source of high speed Internet.
2- You want to connect two or more computers.
3- You want to have the capability to connect to your home network wirelessly to a laptop or handheld computer.
4- You can budget $200 + to do the job.
5- You have read the first two installments of 'Net Insights and have the vocabulary down.

Step one - Preparation
Determine where you want to locate your router/switch/wireless access point (all one box available for <$100). You will want to find a secure place that has some air flow not too far from your Internet source; cable modem, DSL modem, wireless entry point, etc. If you want to want to have wired connections to computers is other locations then call a wiring contractor to install in the wiring needed. It may not be a lot more expensive to have dual phone/network jacks installed in all rooms where you think you might need them later. The type of wire you have installed is called CAT 5e for enhanced category 5 wiring. It is adequate to carry 100 Mbps network connections. The wiring will add to the value of your house if done properly. You'll need to buy some CAT5e jumpers of the appropriate length to connect your computers.

When you have you the place to install your router selected, have a place to plug it in, maybe a high shelf in a closet, and the wiring completed, you're ready to install.

Step Two - Installation
To install you router, (see 1 installment for vendors) plug the CAT5e jumper from your Internet source into the WAN (Wide Area Network) port of your router. Next, plug in a CAT5e jumper from a LAN port on the router into your PC's Ethernet port. This is the big phone plug-like connect on the back of the PC.

Step Three - Set-up

Now you will need to follow the instructions that came with your router or get someone to help. Actually it's pretty easy. You'll need to know a few numbers from your service provider and whether you have a static WAN IP address or can get one automatically with DHCP (a protocol which provides addresses from a range). Each device on the network needs its own IP address; this is a number of the form 123.456.789.123. These addresses are usually assigned by the ISP to the customers dynamically using the DHCP mechanism. Either way after setting up the WAN address in the router, the LAN is usually defaulting to using DHCP to provide private IP addresses (ones that don't go out on the Internet) to all the computers on the LAN. Your PC must be set to use DHCP. Follow the PC software operating software instruction to make sure it is set or get help. With set-up completed you are ready to try to get on online.

Wireless Installation
Install the wireless PCMCIA card in you laptop per the manufacturer's instructions. These cards may be installed with the power on. The PC operating system software should see the card and install its drivers automatically. Make sure that the PC network setup enables DHCP for the wireless card.

With set-up completed you are ready to try to get on online. Reboot you PC and try to get connected.

Step four - Debug

Ok, so you're all installed and you all you get is "The page cannot be displayed" errors in the browser. Time to put on the pith helmet and go in! Just kidding, now may be the time to call you local provider of home networking service or send me an email at jwilson@ptera.net and we'll give you some suggestions. There are two software tools are your eyes to see what the network is doing. These are ping and ipconfig. They are accessed through the DOS prompt. You go to Start - programs - accessories -command prompt and will see a black window and command prompt. Anything you type will be entered just past the prompt point. This is the older command line interface to the computer. Use this at your own risk as typing the improper command here can lead to problems. Type in ipconfig then hit the enter key. You will see a list shown in the black window that tells you the IP address, netmask and gateway for each network interface that you have enabled in your PC. You should be able to get phone help from you Internet service provider or router support organization to know if you are seeing the right stuff. Most problems are pretty simple. A reboot can fix a lot of problems

The ping command lets you send some ping-pong type packets over the network. When you ping a packet is send to the destination you select and an answer is sent back. You type ping at the command prompt and then a space and then the full IP address of the device and hit "enter". Ping is used to check connectivity to different points in the network. For example: If you know the address of the LAN side of the router you would type:
ping 192.168.0.1 (enter)
(results it can see the destination)
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=30
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=30
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=30
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=30

Ping statistics for 192.168.0.1;
etc.

(Results if it can't find the destination)
Request timed out
Request timed out
Request timed out
Request timed out

Ping statistics for 192.168.0.1;
etc.

Using these two tools track check for connectivity to the WAN.
A full tutorial on debugging networks is beyond the scope of this article. Please refer to appropriate tutorials on the Internet.

Summary
It is difficult to set up a network at home if you don't know your floppy disk from your hard drive. If you want to take some time and learn, the information is readily available. Call a professional for the first time.

Coming soon… can we get an Internet filter like they have at the library?

Please send comments and suggestions on future columns to jwilson@ptera.net. Good surfing!

Neither the author nor the Splash will be liable for any damage or problems caused by the use of the advice in this column. The content is presented for informational purposes only. Use any information at your own risk. Seek professional help