If you have more than one computer, or other hardware devices such as printers, scanners, or cameras, you can use a network to share files, folders, and your Internet connection. For example, if you are working online, someone else can be surfing the Internet from another computer at the same time. If you have multiple computers and one or more other hardware devices such as printers, scanners, or cameras, you can also share access to those devices from all computers.
There are several ways to connect computers or create a network. For a home or small office, the most common model is peer-to-peer networking.
In a peer-to-peer network, also called a workgroup, computers directly communicate with each other and do not require a server to manage network resources. A peer-to-peer network is most appropriate when fewer than ten computers are located in the same general area. The computers in a workgroup are considered peers because they are all equal and share resources among each other. Each user decides which data on his or her computer will be shared with the network. By sharing common resources, users can print from a single printer, access information in shared folders, and work on a single file without transferring it to a floppy disk.
A home or small office network is like a telephone system. On a network, each computer has a network adapter that acts like a phone handset: just as you use a handset for talking and listening, the computer uses the network device to send and receive information to and from other computers on the network. With home or small office networking, you can:
* Use one computer to secure your entire network and protect your Internet connection.
* Share one Internet connection with all of the computers on the network.
* Work on files stored on any computer on the network.
* Share printers with all of the computers on the network.
* Play multiplayer games.
Setting up your network is a two-part process:
1. Install and configure the appropriate hardware on each computer. Some hardware might require additional configuration to get connected to the Internet. For more information, click Related Topics.
2. Run the Network Setup Wizard on each computer in your home or small office network.
The Network Setup Wizard guides you through the steps needed to set up your network.
You can use a residential gateway device, through which all of your computers connect to the Internet. Or you can set up one computer to communicate to the Internet using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). All computers in your network can communicate with the Internet through a single connection at the same time. All members of your family can surf the Web, check their e-mail, and play Internet games through a single connection.
Notes
* To start the Network Setup Wizard, click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Setup Wizard.
* The Network Setup Wizard is only supported on computers running Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Professional.
* Your ISP might charge you for having multiple Internet connections. Check with your Internet service provider for details.
There are several ways to connect computers or create a network. For a home or small office, the most common model is peer-to-peer networking.
In a peer-to-peer network, also called a workgroup, computers directly communicate with each other and do not require a server to manage network resources. A peer-to-peer network is most appropriate when fewer than ten computers are located in the same general area. The computers in a workgroup are considered peers because they are all equal and share resources among each other. Each user decides which data on his or her computer will be shared with the network. By sharing common resources, users can print from a single printer, access information in shared folders, and work on a single file without transferring it to a floppy disk.
A home or small office network is like a telephone system. On a network, each computer has a network adapter that acts like a phone handset: just as you use a handset for talking and listening, the computer uses the network device to send and receive information to and from other computers on the network. With home or small office networking, you can:
* Use one computer to secure your entire network and protect your Internet connection.
* Share one Internet connection with all of the computers on the network.
* Work on files stored on any computer on the network.
* Share printers with all of the computers on the network.
* Play multiplayer games.
Setting up your network is a two-part process:
1. Install and configure the appropriate hardware on each computer. Some hardware might require additional configuration to get connected to the Internet. For more information, click Related Topics.
2. Run the Network Setup Wizard on each computer in your home or small office network.
The Network Setup Wizard guides you through the steps needed to set up your network.
You can use a residential gateway device, through which all of your computers connect to the Internet. Or you can set up one computer to communicate to the Internet using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). All computers in your network can communicate with the Internet through a single connection at the same time. All members of your family can surf the Web, check their e-mail, and play Internet games through a single connection.
Notes
* To start the Network Setup Wizard, click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Setup Wizard.
* The Network Setup Wizard is only supported on computers running Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Professional.
* Your ISP might charge you for having multiple Internet connections. Check with your Internet service provider for details.
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