PC PRIMER # 658
By R.L. Creighton
Copyright 2005
Networking! A year ago I would have said; “Don’t even
try to get me involved in creating a network, it is just too hard.” I used to
shutter at the thought of having to set up or work with a network setup on a
computer system. Now, I laugh at the foolishness of my original fears. small office and home networks are a piece of cake.
Networks and their setup can be simple if you have the
right equipment and confidence. You can get both from “NetGear” www.netgear.com . I am using a PCMCIA
networking card in a laptop that is compatible with the 10/100 Mbps PCI card
that is on the office desktop computer.
As a matter of fact I have been able to use the PCMCIA card connection
to connect to several other network cards in several computers there is nothing
to it.
My main system has Microsoft Windows XP Professional as
the operating system. The Laptop is running Windows XP Home. Setting up the
network on both systems was as simple as could be and very very efficient.
Working with XP was the easy, and then connecting to ME machines was flawless. It is simply
a matter of installing the cards and software and following directions.
The manufacturer of the cards appears to be a non-issue,
as I have connected equally well with many generic cards that were in other
machines, so all is well with cross computer compatibility. Once you have
access to the companion computer, you will see the availability listed under
the “My Network Places” The first thing you will notice a folder for shared
documents. I was disappointed at first that everything was not available for my
use.
I
am herewith giving information that I have not been able to find anywhere, but
was learned by trial and error. On one
computer, right click on the icon for any of your drives on that computer. One of the choices you will find on the drop
down menu will be “Sharing” (“Sharing and Security” on Windows XP) clicking on
this will present you with an additional screen. Here you will find options for
sharing the files on that drive with the connected computer. I personally have selected to share all
drives on both computers as well as all printers. This way I can send data from either computer
to the other.
NetGear has made my networking setup work. I am using a
RP114 router that is pure magic. There is also a starter kit available that
includes all the cables, cards and router that will make quick work of the
expansion. Point your browser to www.netgear.com and see all that there is to
help you. Believe me, with the help
available from NetGear products, you can do it yourself! Try this, I am sure
you won’t regret it !
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