 Set up the workstation hardware.

Computer System and Network Configurations  Plug in and cable the Network Interface Cards (NICs – these connect the network
to the LAN).
Computer Networks  Install the hub or hubs (if you are using twisted-pair cable).
Networks - are collections of computers, software, and hardware that are all  Install printers.
connected to help their users work together.  Load up the server software (the NOS, or Network Operating System) if your
- connects computers by means of cabling systems, specialized network is a client/server type.
software, and devices that manage data traffic.  Install the workstation software.
- enables users to share files and resources, such as printers, as well as  Install modem hardware for remote dial-up (if you want the users to be able to
send messages electronically (e-mail) to each other. dial into the network).
Local Area Networks or LAN  Install the programs you want to run (application software).
- connects computers within a single geographical location, such as one
office building, office suite, or home. Configuring Your Network
- By contrast, Wide Area Networks (WANs) span different cities or even Network configuration means customizing the network for your own use.
countries, using phone lines or satellite links.  Creating network accounts for your users (names, passwords, and groups).
-  Creating areas on shared disk drives for users to share data files.
Network System Configuration  Creating areas on shared disk drives for users to share programs (unless everyone
All networks go through roughly the same steps in terms of design, rollout, runs programs from their own computer).
configuration, and management.  Setting up print queues (the software that lets users share networked printers).
 Installing network support on user workstations, so they can "talk" to your
Designing Your Network network.
Plan on the design phase to take anywhere from one to three working days,
depending on how much help you have ad how big your network is. Managing Your Network
The work you do right after your LAN is up and running and configured can save
Here are the key tasks: you huge amounts of time in the coming months.
 Settle on a peer-to-peer network or a client/server network.  Mapping your network for easier management and troubleshooting.
 Pick you network system software.  Setting up appropriate security measures to protect against accidental and
 Pick a network language. intentional harm.
 Figure out what hardware you need.  Tuning up your LAN so that you get the best possible speed from it.
 Decide on what degree of information security you need.  Creating company standards for adding hardware and software, so you don’t have
 Choose software and hardware solutions to handle day-to-day management nagging compatibility problems later.
chores.  Putting backup systems in place so that you have copies of data and programs if
your hardware fails.
Rolling Out Your Network  Installing some monitoring and diagnostic software so that you can check on your
 Rolling out your network requires the following steps: network’s health and get an early warning of impleading problems.
 Run and test network cables.  Figuring out how you plan to handle troubleshooting – educating your LAN
 Install the server or servers if you’re setting up a client/server network. (If you are administrator, setting up a support contract with a software vendor, and so on.
setting up a peer-to-peer network, you typically don’t have to worry about any
dedicated servers.)
Smooth Setup
One key advantage of a peer-to-peer network is that it’s easy to setup. With the
simplest sort of peer-to-peer network, you just use the built-in networking that
comes with your operating system (Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows 7,
Windows 8 and so on) and you have very little software to set up – even less if you
have computers that have the operating system preinstalled, as most computers do
these days.
For Windows XP and Windows 7, the basic steps to setting up a peer-to-peer
network are as follows:

(Review for Cabling) UTP Cable