Hot to setup a a network

I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Hello, The dedicated feature, i. HomeGroup is removed from Windows 10 Version How satisfied are you with this reply? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. Your router's documentation will tell you the specific IP address and account login information.

After you've accessed the router, the next order of business is getting the security, SSID and IP addressing settings right. Getting security right is a must, unless you want a neighbour stealing your bandwidth and possibly your data. IP addressing is important because these addresses are used for devices on your network to communicate with the router. You make all of these changes within the router's management interface.

These settings are typically under the "Basic" settings of the interface. They may also be under "Security" or "Wireless Settings. Okay, on with the steps:. For those who anticipate connecting servers, NAS device or any device that you may access from outside your network, best practice is to configure DHCP Reservation. That may be a scary sounding term for newbies, but all it means is that you are telling the router that a specific device always uses a specific IP address, which is set aside or "reserved" for it.

For example, my router IP is I can give my email server an IP address of You don't want to change the first three sets of numbers though, for most basic home networks. IP addressing has specific rules about formatting, so you want to retain the first three sets of numbers, called "octets. The MAC address is usually printed on a sticker affixed to a device. Again, reserving the IP addresses means those addresses will never be distributed to clients via DHCP and are "held" for the devices you specify.

Reserving IP addresses is good practice for devices you want to access remotely, because otherwise when the IP address leases expire you won't be able to perform remote access. Don't forget to assign the reserved IPs as static addresses on the devices for which you made reservations. There are various ways to do this — on Windows servers and machines you can assign an IP address though the Network settings Control Panel.

Other devices, such as NASes, have areas in their management console where you can assign an IP address. It really depends on what device you want to set a static address for, so check with the vendor if you aren't sure.

If you are using the router as an access point, bridge or to extend the signal of an existing router on a network, you will want to turn off DHCP completely. Having two routers performing DHCP on the same network can result in a myriad of connection issues. However, for most home networks, having the router set to use DHCP will suffice. Now that you have a network set up, you can set up a way for everyone to access data on the network.

If you skip this step, then the first time that you connect to the network, you'll be asked to select your network location. You can change this setting later. The network offers some protection from the Internet such as a router and firewall and contains known or trusted devices.

Network discovery is turned on automatically. Most small business networks fall into this category. The network is available for public use.

Examples of public networks are public Internet access networks, such as those found in airports, libraries, and coffee shops. This network location helps keep your device from being seen by other devices around you and helps protect your device from malicious software on the Internet.

You should also select this option if you're connected directly to the Internet without using a router or if you have a mobile broadband connection. The device is connected to a network that contains an Active Directory domain controller. A corporate network is one example of a domain network. This network location isn't available as an option. It must be set by the domain administrator. For your small business network, make sure that the network location type is set to Home or Work.

Here's how to check:. For Windows Vista, certain sharing options turn on automatically. For home or small office networks when you know and trust the people and devices on the network.

Network discovery is on by default. For networks in public places such as coffee shops or airports. This location keeps your device from being visible to other devices around you and helps protect your device from any malicious software on the Internet. Network discovery is turned off for this location. If your network consists of devices that are running similar hardware and software, you can select the option to download additional printer drivers on the host system. We do not recommend this option if you have a mixed network that includes more than one combination of bit and bit operating systems.

If your network contains devices running different versions of Windows, put all devices in the same workgroup. This makes it possible for devices that are running different versions of Windows to detect and access one another. Remember that the default workgroup name is not the same in all versions of Windows. If Windows XP devices still don't appear on the network map even after you install the LLTD protocol, check your Windows firewall settings and make sure that file and printer sharing is enabled.

If you're using another firewall, see the information that was included with your firewall. Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported. Download Microsoft Edge More info. Contents Exit focus mode. Please rate your experience Yes No. Any additional feedback? Note If your small business has lots of floor space, such as a manufacturing facility, you may experience signal degradation if there are very long cables between devices. Note You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.

Note The transfer times listed are under ideal conditions. Note Metal objects, walls, and floors can interfere with your router's wireless signals. Note Protect your router by changing the default user name and password. Note Whenever possible, you should connect to a security-enabled wireless network. Note The Device Name for each device on the network must be unique, and the workgroup for all devices on the network must be the same. It's unavailable for domain networks.

On VPN or dial-up connections, you must connect to the network first, then press and hold or right-click the network name.

Turning on sharing changes your firewall settings to enable some communication, which can be a security risk. If you know you won't need to share files or printers, the safest choice is No, don't sharing or connect to devices.

Choosing No, don't turn on sharing or connect to devices blocks the following apps and services from working: PlayTo File sharing Network discovery Automatic setup of network devices. Note This is the safest setting, but you can't share printers or files. Note You might be asked for an administrator password to confirm your choice. Note Windows XP only detects and accesses devices that are in the same workgroup.

Note If your network consists of devices that are running similar hardware and software, you can select the option to download additional printer drivers on the host system. Note If your network contains devices running different versions of Windows, put all devices in the same workgroup. In this article. Ethernet network adapter An adapter connects devices to a network so that they can communicate.

You can also install a network adapter inside a device. Ethernet hub or switch A hub passes data from one device to another. Because the hub can't identify the data source as coming from the Internet or another device, it sends the information to all connected devices, including the one that sent it. A switch works similar to a hub. But a switch can also identify the intended destination of the information so that only the intended devices receive it.

A switch costs a bit more than a hub, but has faster speed. Ethernet router only needed if you want to connect more than two devices that share an Internet connection A router helps you share a single Internet connection among several devices. You don't require a router to set up a wired network, but you should use one if you want multiple devices to share an Internet connection. You might need an extra hub or switch if your router doesn't have enough ports for all of your devices.

Modem Devices use modems to send and receive information over telephone or cable lines. You need a modem if you want to connect to the Internet. Ethernet cables Network cables connect devices to one another and to other related hardware, such as hubs, routers, and external network adapters. One for each device that needs to connect to the network hub or switch. Wireless network adapter An adapter connects devices to a network so that they can communicate.

Wireless router A router helps you share a single Internet connection among several devices.