This is our final installment of our networking tips. In this tip, you will learn how to share files and printers between computers on your network. One of the greatest advantages of a network for home users is the ability to use a single printer to service all the computers.

Windows XP offers a networking wizard that works quite well for most people to setup a home or small business network. You can find it by:

1. Double-click the “My Computer” icon
2. Click “My Network Places” from the task list on the left of the screen
3. You will then see the menu of options at the pictured here
4. Click the “Set up a home or small office network” option
5. Click Next twice
6. The next screen will ask you how you connect to the Internet, choose the second option “  This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through another computer on my network.”
7. Click Next
8. On the next screen, give your computer a description and a name as described in the step itself
9. Click Next
10. Now you name your network (workgroup) so that the computers can talk to each other. Use any name you like, but keep it to a single word like; Steelers, Network, Rover, etc
11. Click Next
12. Click the “Turn on file and printer sharing” option
13. Click Next twice
14. If you are using Windows 98 or Me on other computers in your network, then click the “Create a Network Setup Disk” and click next.  OR If you are using XP on the other computers, then click the final option “Just finish…”
15. Click Next
16. Click Finish

Using this method will allow you to share files through the “SharedDocs” folder found in My Computer. Any files you save into this folder can be accessed on any other computer via the network. The wizard will also allow you to share any printers you have installed.

To share your printers with other computers:

1. Click Start —> Control Panel
2. Open your Printers folder
3. RIGHT Click on your pinter
4. Click “Sharing”
5. Click “Share this printer”
6. Type a descriptive name in the share name box
7. Click OK

Other Windows XP computers on your network will automatically detect and utilize these shared printers. All you have to do is choose them from your printer list when printing OR open the Control Panel and your printers folder, then RIGHT click on the network printer and choose “Set as Default”

If you want to share other folders on your hard drive with your network, navigate to that folder in Windows Explorer or My Computer, then:

1. RIGHT Click on the folder to share
2. Click  “Share this folder on the network”
3. Change the Share name if necessary
4. Click the “Allow network users to change my files” box IF you want to be able to edit those files from other computers
5. Click Ok

Networking isn’t just for the big corporate offices any more. There are plenty of good reasons to set up a network in your home or small office. Use our tips in this series to learn more about networking and using it to your advantage.

You can read the previous tips in this series here:

Set up a home network – Part I

Set up a home network – Part II

Set up a home network – Part III

This is Part III of our ongoing series regarding home and small-business networks. You can read the first two installments here:  Part I and Part II.

In Part II, we discussed how to use a ‘wired’ system with Ethernet cabling to connect your computers and broadband connection. We suggested that you purchase a Wireless Cable/DSL Router with 4 port switch to connect your computers. The reason we suggested a wireless router is two fold; 1) The cost is only a few bucks more, and 2) Having the wireless gives you the ability to easily add a laptop or computer in another room to your network.

Typically, wireless routers can broadcast a signal that will reach around 75′ indoors. However, that number reduces significantly depending on the barriers it has to pass through…walls, ceilings, type of walls and floors, etc. For best results, I like to keep the wireless computer as close to line of sight as possible to the router (least number of walls and barriers like furniture). Currently, the standard used in wireless computing (wi-fi) is 802.11g. For those with inquisitive minds, you can get detailed definitions of all terms wireless at Webopedia. This link is a comprehensive list of wireless networking terms.

As with the wired setup, use the CD that came with your brand of router to walk through the setup. The first thing you want to do is assign a new password (right it down and remember it for future use) for the routers settings. Most of the wizards offer you the chance to do this right away.

Next, you want to setup the wireless security for your system. Enabling wireless security drastically reduces the chances of a hacker trying to break into your network. The first step you will be asked to do is assign a name (SSID – Service Set Identifier) to your network. Don’t use your name…use something like your street name or high school mascot or development name…etc. Again, right this down and don’t forget it. You will also be given the opportunity to broadcast your wireless name or not…for ultimate security, click “No” on the broadcast option. However, for ease of setup, as long as you are following the rest of the security steps, broadcasting should be ok.

Broadcasting your wireless names allows computers with a wireless network card to see what networks are available. If you are broadcasting you need to be secure.

Wireless security comes in two main flavors:  WEP and WPA. Some consider the WPA security protocol more secure than the WEP. If your router accepts WPA, use it. With either protocol, you pick either a password or ‘key’. The key is usually in the form of a hexadecimal (numbers 0-9, and letters A-F) and are a minimum of 10 characters long. As with all passwords, the longer the better. I like to use an online key generator to produce a key for me, then I copy and paste it into a word processing document with my router’s password, and SSID network name. This also allows you to copy and paste the long code into Windows when you connect to the network.

• WPA Key Generator
• WEP Key Generator

Now you are ready to hook up to your new secure wireless network:

1. Double-click on the wireless network icon in your system tray (by the clock)
2. Click on your wireless network
3. Click the Connect button
4. Paste in your wireless key (twice)
5. Click OK

Wait about 30 seconds and now you can surf the Internet wirelessly!

If you decided to not broadcast your wireless connection, then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
5. Under Preferred networks, click Add.
6. In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the name of the wireless network and enter your security key.
7. Click OK.

Read all the tips in this series below:

Set up a home network – Part I

Set up a home network – Part II

Set up a home network – Part IV