The why of tech
The why of tech
Just a few years ago, setting up a computer network was a major ordeal that cost a minimum of several hundred dollars and about four or five handfuls of hair. Networking
has its advantagesBut thanks to the ubiquity of the Internet, hooking more than one computer together is remarkably easy. Virtually all computers sold within the past two years come with the ability to be part of the Internet and/or a private network.
Networking computers has several advantages and anyone with more than one computer (even if the same person uses them both) should seriously consider setting up a network.
One of the primary benefits you'll receive is the ability to share a single Internet connection with as many computers as you own.
With a single subscription to Roadrunner, DSL, or even a dial-up account, everyone in your house or office can use the same connection at the same time. And yes, it's perfectly legal.
Another big benefit is you'll be able to quickly and easily transfer files and information from one machine to another. Those who use both a laptop and a desktop machine will especially appreciate this. So will those who have replaced an older machine with a new one. Instead of copying everything over from floppy disk, you can simply "drag-and-drop" the files you want from the old machine onto the new.
Networks are also especially useful for creating backups of all your important files in a regiment you may actually follow. No tapes, or floppies to worry about, just drag a copy of your personal folder(s) to another machine and you have instant insurance they'll be there tomorrow.
In order to set up a network all you need is a hub and some cables. A hub is a fairly inexpensive piece of hardware ($10 to $100) that is similar in concept to a power strip. But instead of creating a central place for electricity, it creates a place to plug into the network.
To create the network, simply plug your Internet connection (assuming it's DSL or Roadrunner) into one spot on the hub, then plug each computer into one of the other spots.
Voila! Virtually every new operating system has been designed to talk on a network, so little or no software configuration should be required.
If you want to keep outsiders from having access to your computers, you can add what's known as a firewall. A network firewall is just like its namesake -- it keeps the good stuff completely separated from the bad stuff.
You can either purchase a firewall program and install it on one of the machines on the network or use a hub with a built-in firewall.
Generally the ones built in to the hub (which would then be called a cable modem router or DSL router) are simpler but slightly more expensive.
Steve Jefferson is a Honolulu-based freelance writer
and section editor for InfoWorld. He can be
reached at: stevej@lava.net