Setting Up a Network
`
`CHAPTER
`
`17
`
`W hen you connect computers so that they can access one another's files
`
`and equipment, you create a network. As millions of PC fans buy second
`and third computers for their homes and offices, small networks are
`becoming increasingly common.
`
`When it comes to simplicity, setting up a network has a long way to go before it ap(cid:173)
`proaches, say, setting up a desk lamp. It involves buying equipment, installing adapters,
`and configuring software. Fortunately, Windows XP's Network Setup Wizard makes
`the software part as painless as possible.
`
`And the payoff is considerable: Once you've created a network, you can copy files
`from one machine to another just as you'd drag files between folders on your own
`PC. Everyone on the network can consult the same database, phone book, or calen(cid:173)
`dar. When workday's done, you can play games over the network. Most importantly,
`you can share a single laser printer, cable modem or DSL, fax modem, or phone line
`among all the PCs in the house.
`
`Kinds of Networks
`You can connect your PCs using any of several different kinds of gear. Most of the
`world's offices are wired with Ethernet cable, but all kinds of possibilities await, includ(cid:173)
`ing networking systems that rely on the phone or power lines already in your walls,
`and even wireless systems that don't need cables at all. Here's an overview of the four
`most popular networking systems.
`
`CHAPTER 17: SETTING UP A NETWORK
`
`513
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 526
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Kinds of Networks
`
`Note: Be sure that whatever networking gear you buy is compatible with Windows XP. The best way to do so
`is check the compatibility list at www.microsoft.com/hcl. Networking is complicated enough without having
`to troubleshoot some gadget that's not designed for XP.
`
`Ethernet
`Ethernet is the world's most popular networking protocol. It gives you fast, reliable,
`trouble-free communication that costs very little and imposes few limitations on
`where you can place the PCs in a home or small office.
`
`In addition to the computers themselves, an Ethernet network requires three com(cid:173)
`ponents:
`
`• Network adapters. You need an adapter for each computer. (You may also hear a
`network adapter called a network interface card or NIC ["nick").)
`
`The network adapter provides the jack, shown in Figure 18-1, where you plug in
`the network cable. If you have a desktop PC that doesn't already have an Ethernet
`jack, you can buy a network adapter either in the form of a PCI card (which you
`must open up your computer to install) or a USB box ( which connects to the back
`of the computer and dangles off of it).
`
`If you have a laptop, you can use one of these USB adapters or a PC Card that slips
`into your computer's PC Card slot.
`
`Tip: You can generally order a new PC with an Ethernet card preinstalled, often for less than what it would
`cost to buy one at your local computer store.
`
`• A hub. An Ethernet network also requires an Ethernet hub (also shown in Figure
`18-1), the nexus into which you plug the network cable from each PC. Hubs come
`in different sizes; five- and eight-port hubs are popular for home networking.
`
`Tip: Buy a hub with a few more ports than you need. You may eventually add another computer to the
`network, not to mention shared network equipment like laser printers or a router (which lets you share a
`cable modem among all of the PCs on the network).
`
`Of course, you can always expand your network by adding on another hub when the time comes, thanks to
`a special connector called an uplink port that lets you hook one hub into another.
`
`If you have a cable modem or DSL connection to the Internet, you may want
`consider buying a combination router/hub instead of a standard hub. (The dialog
`boxes in Windows XP call these boxes residential gateways, although almost no
`one else does.) In addition to serving as a hub, a sp ecial connector on this gizmo
`also accommodates your cable modem or DSL box, so that all of the PCs on your
`network can share the high-speed magic of just one Internet connection. (You can
`also purchase a router and hub separately.)
`
`• Ethernet cables. The cables used for most Ethernet networks look something like
`telephone cables, but they're not the same thing-and they're definitely not inter-
`
`514
`
`WlNDOWS XP HOME EDITION : THE MISSJNG MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 527
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Kinds of Networks
`
`changeable. Both the cable itself (called lOBaseT, lOOBaseT cable, or Cat 5 cable)
`and the little clips at each end (called an RJ-45 connector) are slightly fatter than
`those on a phone cable (Figure 18- 1). You can buy ready-made Ethernet cables
`( that is, with the connectors already attached) in a variety of lengths and in many
`different colors. Each computer must be connected to the hub with a cable that's
`no longer than 100 yards or so long.
`
`Tip: Ethernet gear can be shockingly inexpensive; a search at www.buy com, for example, reveals Ethernet
`cards for $10 and five-port Ethernet hubs for $30 from no-name companies. If you're willing to pay slightly
`more-$20 for the card, $50 for the hub, for example-you can get brand-name gear (like Microsoft, Netgear,
`3Com, or LinkSys) whose support with installation, phone help, and driver updates through the years may
`reward you many times over. Setting up an Ethernet network generally goes very smoothly-but in the few
`cases where trouble arises, cheapo equipment is often the problem.
`
`Rgure 11-1:
`Top: The Ethernet cable is connected to a
`computer at one end, and the hub or router
`(shown here) at the other end. The computers
`communicate through the hub; there's no direct
`connection between any two computers. The
`front of the hub has little lights for each con(cid:173)
`nector port that light up only on the ports that
`are in use. You can watch the lights flash as the
`computers communicate with each other.
`Bottom: Here's what a typical "I've got three
`PCs in the house, and I'd like them to share my
`cable modem" setup might look like.
`
`. ................... .
`
`i
`
`I
`l
`i
`
`Cable modem
`
`Router/hub
`
`Wiring (Ethernet, Powerline, HomePNA) or radio waves
`(if you're using a wireless network)
`
`CHAPTER 17 : SETTI NG UP A NETWORK
`
`515
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 528
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Kinds of Networks
`
`Network Hookups
`On paper, the hardware part of setting up the network is simple: Just install a network
`adapter in each computer, and then connect each one to the hub using an Ethernet
`cable. It's that "using an Ethernet cable" part that sometimes gets sticky. Depending
`on where your PCs are and how concerned you are about the network's appearance,
`this wiring process may involve drilling holes in floors or walls, stapling cables to
`baseboard trim, or calling in an electrician to do the job.
`
`When all of your computers are in the same room, you can run the cables along the
`walls and behind the furniture. Buying cables that are the same color as your walls
`or floors can help to hide the installation. If you have to run cables between rooms,
`you can secure the cables to the floor or baseboards using staples ( use the round kind
`that won't crush the cables) or plastic raceways with an adhesive backing.
`
`Of course, you might not be thrilled about having any exposed cables. In that case, the
`installation can be much more complicated. You should probably hire a professional
`cable installer to do the job-or don't use cables at all. Read on.
`
`Phone line networks
`Consider using the wiring that's already in your house-telephone wiring. That's the
`idea behind a kind of networking gear called HornePNA. With this system, you can
`use the network even when using the modern or talking on the phone, although you
`can't make a modem and voice call simultaneously.
`
`Unfortunately, the average American household has only two or three phone jacks
`in the entire house, meaning that you don't have much flexibility in positioning your
`PCs. If you're trying to avoid the plaster-dust experience of installing additional wir(cid:173)
`ing, consider one of the networking types described next.
`
`Power outlet networks
`Here's another way to connect your computers without rewiring the building: use the
`electrical wiring that's already in your walls. Unlike phone jacks, electrical outlets are
`usually available in every room in the house.
`
`516
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 529
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Kinds of Networks
`
`If you buy Powerline adapters (also called HomePlug adapters), you get very fast
`speeds (14 megabits/second), very good range (1,000 feet, although that includes the
`twists and turns your wiring takes within the walls), and the ultimate in installation
`simplicity: You just plug the Power line adapter from your PC's Ethernet or USB jack
`into any wall power outlet. Presto-all of the PCs are connected.
`
`This isn't the cheapest avenue; at this writing, Powerline adapters cost about $100
`apiece. But they afford a great deal of convenience, and a five-year-old could perform
`the installation.
`
`Wireless networks (WiFi or 802.11)
`All of the networking methods described so far involve various schemes for wiring
`your computers together. Millions of people, however, have embraced the flexibility of
`a networking system that involves no wires at all-a cordless networking technology
`that's based on a standard called WiFi or 802.11 ("eight-oh-two dot eleven"). (Your
`Macintosh friends probably call the same thing Air Port.)
`
`CHAPTER lT SETTI NG UP A NETWORK
`
`517
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 530
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Kinds of Networks
`
`To create a WiFi network, you equip each PC with a special network adapter (about
`$60) whose little antenna pokes out of the computer. If all of your equipment is wire(cid:173)
`less, that's it: your PCs can now communicate with one another.
`
`If you want to be able to get onto the Internet with them via a shared cable modem
`or DSL connection, though, you also need an access point (about $100)-a box that
`connects to your network router or hub and lets your wireless computers communicate
`with the cabled network. The usual gang-LinkSys, Netgear, 3Com, and others-sell
`these access points ( also called base stations).
`
`802.11 equipment has a range of about 150 feet, even through walls. In concept, this
`setup works much like a cordless phone, where the base station is plugged into the
`wall phone jack and a wireless handset can talk to it from anywhere in the house.
`
`Wireless networking is not without its downsides, however. You may get intermittent
`service interruptions from 2.4-gigahertz cordless phones and other machinery, or
`even the weather. Furthermore, big metal things, or walls containing big metal things
`(like pipes) can sometimes interfere with communication among the PCs, much to
`the disappointment of people who work in subways and meat lockers.
`
`Wireless networking isn't as secure as a cabled network, either. If you drive around a
`typical middle-class American neighborhood these days with your wireless-equipped
`laptop turned on, you'll be surprised at how many home wireless networks you can
`
`518
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 531
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`get onto, piggybacking onto other people's cable modems because they failed to turn
`on the optional password feature of their wireless systems.
`
`Kinds of Networks
`
`Still, nothing beats the freedom of wireless networking, particularly if you're a laptop
`lover; you can set up shop almost anywhere in the house or in the yard, slumped into
`any kind of rubbery posture. No matter where you go within your home, you're online
`at full speed, without hooking up a single wire.
`
`FireWire Networks
`Not many PCs have Fire Wire jacks ( often called, unpoetically, IEEE-1394 connectors).
`If yours has a Fire Wire card, you probably bought it because you wanted to edit video
`you've captured on a DV camcorder.
`
`But if you have a handful of computers with Fire Wire cards installed, Windows XP
`offers one of the world's simplest and fastest methods of connecting them in a network:
`just hook them together with six-pin-to-six-pin FireWire cables. That's it-no hubs
`or boxes to buy. (Because a typical FireWire card has two jacks, you can link several
`computers together this way, like a chain.)
`
`Of course, this arrangement connects your computers only. It won't help if you want
`two computers in your house to be able to share a single cable modem or laser printer.
`Furthermore, FireWire cables can't be longer than 15 feet, which may cramp your
`networking style.
`
`Installing Drivers
`Regardless of which kind of networking cards you install, your next obligation is to
`install their software drivers. If you're lucky, the Plug and Play feature, or the installer
`that came with the card, takes care of this for you. If you weren't so lucky, see Chapter
`14 for advice on what to do when Plug and Play fails.
`
`Internet Connection Sharing
`If you have cable modem or DSL service, you're a very lucky individual. Not only do
`you get spectacular speed when surfing the Web or doing email, but your connection
`is on full time. You never have to wait for some modem to dial (screeching all the
`way), and wait again for it to disconnect. It's just too bad that only one PC in your
`household or office can enjoy these luxuries.
`
`Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. You can spread the joy of high-speed In(cid:173)
`ternet to every PC on your network in either of two ways:
`
`• Buy a router. A router (also called a residential gateway) is a little box, costing
`about $80, that connects directly to the cable modem or DSL box. In some cases,
`it doubles as a hub, providing multiple Internet jacks into which you can plug your
`PCs. As a bonus, a router provides excellent security, serving as a firewall to keep
`out unsolicited visits from hackers on the Internet.
`
`CHAPTER lT SETTTNG UP A NETWORK
`
`519
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 532
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`lnlemet Connedion
`Sharing
`
`• Use Internet Connection Sharing (JCS). JCS is a feature of Windows XP. Like a
`router, it distributes a single Internet signal to every computer on the network.
`Unlike a router, it's free. You just fire it up on the one PC that's connected directly
`to your cable modem or DSL box-or, as networking geeks would say, the gateway
`or host PC.
`
`But there's a downside: If the gateway PC is turned off, nobody else in the house
`can go online. Furthermore, you have to install two Ethernet cards into the gateway
`PC: one that goes to the cable modem or DSL box and another that connects it
`to the hub.
`
`Most people think ofICS in terms of expensive Internet accounts like cable modems
`and DSL. But it offers advantages even for PCs with standard dial-up modems.
`For example, more than one PC can be online at the same time, which can be a
`sanity saver in certain households. JCS also lets you park PCs in rooms that don't
`actually have phone jacks.
`
`Even if you don't intend to share an Internet connection in this way, it's important to
`have some understanding of these concepts before running the Network Setup Wizard.
`Many of the questions it will ask pertain to the notion of connection sharing.
`
`Tip: If you do intend to use Internet Connection Sharing, you need to make sure the gateway PC can already
`get onto the Internet, on its own, before you attempt to run the Network Setup Wizard. (The gateway PC should
`also be running Windows XP, although the other computers can be running earlier versions of Windows.)
`
`The Network Setup Wizard
`Once you've set up the networking equipment, you have to inform Windows XP
`about what you've been up to. You also have to configure your computers to share
`their files, folders, printers, modems, Internet connections, and so on. Fortunately, the
`Network Setup Wizard handles this duty for you. (You must have an Administrator
`account to run this wizard.)
`
`To launch the wizard, choose Start(cid:157) Control Panel, and then open Network Con(cid:173)
`nections. In the task pane at the left side of the window (Figure 17-2), click the link
`that says, "Set up a home or small office network."
`
`Tip: If you've chosen to hide your task pane, you can choose Start(cid:157) AII Programs(cid:157) Accessories(cid:157)
`Communications(cid:157) Network Setup Wizard instead.
`
`A welcome message appears; click Next. The remaining screens of the wizard are as
`follows:
`
`"Before you continue"
`The screen contains a link called "Checklist for creating a network." If you click it,
`you see a help page that guides you through the steps of setting up a network. It in(cid:173)
`corporates much of the information you've read so far in this chapter.
`
`520
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 533
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`It also reminds you that if you plan to use Internet Connection Sharing, described
`earlier, you should ensure that your gateway Windows XP machine can get online
`before proceeding with the wizard. When you're finished reading the checklist, close
`its window, and then click Next.
`
`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`Figure 17-2:
`Left: Start the Network
`Setup Wizard by click(cid:173)
`ing this link.
`Right: Select the
`option that best de(cid:173)
`scribes this computer's
`relationship to the
`Internet. If the PC will
`be the gateway to
`the Internet for other
`PCs on the network,
`choose the first option.
`Otherwise, just choose
`Other to tell the wizard
`as much.
`
`Sec Also
`
`Seleci the <lalemont !hot t,e,t dew ibe, this C<ltlll'A•r.
`0 Thi< """9Jt0< c:on.-«ls di!eotly lo the /nte,nel The othei compute,: on ~ nelwcxk ccmeci
`to the lntetnel ttvough thi, C<ltlll'Aer,
`VrewMmmole.
`0 Ttu """9Jte< connects to the /nte,nel tlwough onolhe, compute, on~ netwo,k a tlwough
`• re,idential gateway.
`v~anel<aQ'IDk.
`
`Oth~r Pl~ceJ
`
`0 011 ..
`
`I < Bock
`
`)l Next >
`
`j I Cancel
`
`"Select a connection method"
`The next wizard window starts the process of setting up Internet Connection Sharing
`(see Figure 17-2, right).
`
`Your next step depends on your plans for your network and Internet use:
`
`• Each PC will go online independently. If sharing a single Internet connection isn't
`the point of your networking efforts, click the Other button (Figure 17-2); on the
`next screen, click "This computer connects to the Internet directly or through
`a network hub." In other words, your various networked PCs will each connect
`directly to the Internet. No connection sharing is involved.
`
`• This is the computer with the connection. If the computer you're at now is the
`one connected to the Internet-that is, if it's the gateway computer-click the fin.,t
`option: "This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers on
`my network connect to the Internet through this computer" (Figure 17-2).
`
`Tip: If your DSL service is for multiple fixed IP addresses, then your computers can share the connection
`without having to choose one single computer as the host.
`
`• This isn't the computer with the connection. If you like the idea of sharing a PC's
`Internet connection, but the machine you're using now isn't the gateway machine,
`
`CHAPTER 17 : SETTING UP A NETWORK
`
`521
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 534
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`choose the second option: "This computer connects to the Internet through another
`computer on my network or through a residential gateway."
`
`• You have a router. If you've bought a router (residential gateway) box, you won't
`be needing the built-in Windows Internet Connection Sharing feature. Once again,
`you should click the second option ("This computer connects to the Internet
`through another computer on my network or through a residential gateway").
`
`• You don't plan to use the Internet at all. If you just want to set up connections
`among your computers-but none of them ever goes online-click Other, then
`click the Next button, and then turn on "This computer belongs to a network that
`does not have an Internet connection."
`
`"Select your Internet connection"
`If you indicated that the computer you're setting up will indeed be connecting to
`the Internet, the wizard now shows you a list of the ways you've set up for your PC
`to get online (Figure 17-3). Each represents a different method of getting onto the
`Internet- via network (Local Area Connection), America Online dialup, your DSL
`account, or whatever. Turn on the one you want to use, and then click Next.
`
`~ ~--------------~----
`
`.. - --..-~
`-
`Network Setup Wizard
`
`Give this computer a de$cription and name.
`
`Compute, desc,iption:
`
`I Monica's Computer
`
`E•amplos: Fami!y Room Compute, 01 Monica's Computer
`
`IJ
`
`Figure 17-J:
`Top: Every computer on a
`Windows network (even a
`big network in a business
`environment) must have
`a unique name. Computer
`names and workgroup names
`are limited to 15 characters,
`without spaces. Hyphens and
`apostrophes are OK, but most
`other punctuation is forbidden.
`Bottom: Tell the wizard how
`this machine connects to the
`~
`Internet. See Chapter 9 to find
`Iii.ii
`out how these account names
`got here.
`
`Compute< name:
`
`!MONICA
`E•amples: FAMILY or MONICA
`- ~~-~----------·------ -
`Network Set.up Wizard
`
`.
`
`·--·----
`
`Select _your Inte rnet connection.
`
`---- ---- -
`
`__
`
`.
`
`--
`
`Select you, lntemet connection hom the following litt.
`
`The wizard has preselected "Local Area Connection" a• the connection that i•
`most likely to b e correct.
`
`Connections:
`.LiMtMii·l,i,Gi•Miil&Ml\ll•Al❖l•s1@t=iMiMI
`ti Ea,thLink hogster2000 Lucent Win Modem
`l.. America Online
`Lucent Win Modem
`
`Leain more about how to de(ermine your lnteinet. connection.
`
`< Back
`
`Jli Next> J [ Cancel
`
`522
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 535
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`"Give this computer a description and name"
`On this wizard page (Figure 17-3 ), you see a place to give your PC its own, unique
`name. For example, if you have a laptop and a desktop PC, you might give them names
`like Portege and Millennia (or Kirk and Spock, for all Windows cares). Of course, you
`already gave your computer a name when you installed Windows XP; that should be
`the name you see here.
`
`"Name your network"
`On the screen, you're supposed to make up a name for your workgroup (mini-net(cid:173)
`work). Every PC on your network should have the same workgroup name (it doesn't
`have to be MSHome, much as Microsoft might like it).
`
`"Ready to apply network settings"
`Click Next. On the next wizard screen, you see a summary of your settings. If it all
`looks good, click Next, and wait a few minutes while the wizard scurries around, ap(cid:173)
`plying various internal settings.
`
`''You're almost done"
`Your first PC may now be correctly configured to be part of an office network, but it
`faces the problem of the first telephone owner: Who ya gonna call?
`
`Your next step, therefore, should be to run the Network Setup Wizard again on each of
`your other PCs. As indicated by the wizard screen before you now, getting the wizard
`onto those other machines depends on what version of Windows they're using:
`
`• If the next PC has Windows XP. Click the bottom option here, "Just finish the
`wizard." Click Next, and then click Finish.
`
`Now move to the next computer; start the Network Setup Wizard on it, exactly
`the way you did on the first machine.
`
`• If the next PC has some earlier version of Windows. You still need to run the XP
`version of the networking wizard. XP offers you two ways to go about it: First,
`you can insert your Windows XP CD-ROM in each of the other PCs. When the
`Windows Setup program opens up, click the link at the left side called "Perform
`additional tasks"; on the next screen, click "Set up home or small office network(cid:173)
`ing." The wizard appears, and you're ready to go.
`
`Second, you can create a networking setup disk for your older computers. That is,
`the wizard will transfer a copy of itself to a floppy disk that you can carry to the
`non-XP machines on your network.
`
`If you select this option and then click Next, you're instructed to put a blank
`formatted disk in the floppy drive. Click Next again to create the disk, which
`takes only a moment or two. Then eject the disk; for best results, label it for easy
`identification.
`
`CHAPTER 17: SETTING UP A NETWORK
`
`523
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 536
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`Now insert the disk into the floppy drive on the older PC. Open the My Computer
`icon on your desktop, double-click the floppy drive icon, and double-dick the
`Setup.exe icon. The by-now-familiar Network Setup Wizard appears.
`
`No matter how you get the wizard onto the other machines, the experience of using
`it is precisely as described on the preceding pages-with two exceptions:
`
`o...,,, opl<,n,
`0 Qi.play progc:s while eonneetr'lg
`0 Prorm>t f01 name and password. ce1tfoate. etc
`0 lncludevlroow, logon oom.;,
`D Pr-'"'""°"""""""'
`
`Aedor,,,op<.on,
`
`Redalatte~:
`
`Time between redial attempt-s-
`
`Ide line bef01e h~
`l4>:
`0 Reaal l m" dropped
`
`the• etwork Connections icon,in •
`your Control Panel.= Right-dick tlie
`
`~2.'ILt~er case:siml)ly wait a moment an<.! then µy a~in: in
`e:-(cid:173)
`
`" " '~ - b.
`
`524
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 537
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`• If you've decided to set up the first computer as the gateway for Internet Connec(cid:173)
`tion Sharing, you don't see the complex array of choices illustrated in Figure 17-2.
`Instead, you see only the simplified options of Figure 17-4.
`
`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`Figure 17·4:
`If you're using Internet Con(cid:173)
`nedion Shoring, the second,
`third, and subsequent PCs
`you set up automatically de(cid:173)
`ted the presence of the first
`one (the gateway computer).
`Instead of the dialog box
`shown in Figure 17-2, you get
`this far simpler version-and
`in general, you'll want to
`select the first option.
`
`Do you want to use the shared connection?
`
`R1I
`Iii.ii
`
`The wiza1d found a shared Internet connection on the compute, "MONICA."
`
`Do you want lo use the e><isting shared connection for this computer's Internet access?
`0 :(es use the existing shared connection for this comouter's Internet access (recommended)
`0 NQ. let me choose another way lo connect lo the Internet
`
`< Back Ji Next >
`
`~ I Cancel
`
`• There's no need to create a network setup floppy disk on the final wizard screen.
`
`When it's all over, Windows lets you know that you should restart the computer. At
`that point, each PC you've visited is ready for network action.
`
`Testing the Network
`After all of this setup, here's how you can find out whether or not the gods are smil(cid:173)
`ing on your new network. Seated at your Windows XP machine, choose Start(cid:157) My
`Network Places.
`
`The network window opens, revealing the folders and disks that your machine can
`"see" ( detect) on other computers of the network. The first time you try this experi(cid:173)
`ment, there may not be much to see here.
`
`Tip: All recent generations of Windows can "see" each other and work joyously side-by-side on the same
`network. On the older machines, you would open the equivalent window by double-clicking the My Network
`Places or Network Neighborhood icon on the desktop instead of using the Start menu.
`
`But if you click "View workgroup computers" in the task pane at the left side of the
`window, you should see the names and icons of the other computers you've set up
`(see Figure 17-5). In the next chapter, you'll find out how to burrow into these icons,
`
`CHAPTER 17: SETTING UP A NETWORK
`
`525
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 538
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`The Network
`Setup Wizard
`
`using the files and folders of other networked PCs exactly as though they were on
`your own computer.
`
`If you don't see the icons for your other computers, something has gone wrong.
`Check to see that:
`
`• Your cables are properly seated.
`
`• Your Ethernet hub (if any) is plugged into an outlet.
`
`• Your networking card is working. To do so, open the System program in the Con(cid:173)
`trol Panel. Click the Hardware tab; click the Device Manager button. Look for an
`error icon next to your networking card's name (see Chapter 14 for more on the
`Device Manager).
`
`If you don't find a problem, rerun the Network Setup Wizard. If that doesn't work,
`you'll have to call Microsoft or your PC company for help.
`
`--
`
`-~
`
`- ----------- - ---
`,fr Mshome
`--- .. ·, .; . \ -
`View Favorites
`Tools Help
`File Edit
`(.t P Search
`1~1-g:;i
`© r1
`1-1 ~ lnspiron (lnspiron)
`I '
`Li ~ Monica (l atitude)
`
`l;J['Q)~
`It!
`:'.'.lmGo
`
`Rgure 11-s:
`We have network! Your My
`Network Places window
`should re'leal the pres(cid:173)
`ence of other PCs in your
`network, complete with
`the names you gave them
`when plowing through the
`Network Setup Wizard. This
`illustration shows Tiles view
`for clarity, but Windows
`starts out in Details view.)
`
`-
`.
`_, ~ ... ._.,.•~•,.~!"..._,~,.~""' ~~~.)L:,;~
`
`l
`,, .
`; Address : !/;J Mshame
`
`Dell4100 (Dell4100)
`
`Q Back • 0
`
`Network Tasks
`
`--
`~ ~ Add a network place
`~ VieW network
`connecttoM
`1'/i Set uP a home or small
`ofAce network
`J,; View worl<t;jroup
`computers
`
`Other Places
`-
`4' Microsoft Wmdows
`'"' ,-->
`
`'
`©
`
`v :i
`
`526
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 539
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Using Your Network
`
`CHAPTER
`
`18
`
`A fter you've installed your networking cards, connected the cables, and run
`
`the Network Setup Wizard (see Chapter 17), the fun begins. You're now ready
`to share the following components among the various PCs on the network.
`
`• Your Internet connection. Having a network means that all the PCs in your house
`can share a single connection. This is a huge feature, one that can save you hundreds
`of dollars a year if you have a cable modem or DSL. It's called Internet Connection
`Sharing, and it's described in Chapter 17.
`
`• Printers. Another excellent justification for creating a small network is that all
`of the PCs can share a single printer. Or, if you've bought several printers-say, a
`high-speed laser printer for one computer, a color printer for another-everyone
`on the network can use whichever printer is appropriate to a particular document.
`You'll find step-by-step instructions starting on page 413.
`
`• Files, folders, and disks. No matter what PC you're using on the network, you can
`open the files and folders on any other networked PC (and its mounted disks), as
`long as the other PCs' owners have made these files available for public inspection.
`That's where file sharing comes in, and that's what this chapter is all about. (Even
`if you don't do the networking thing, you'll need file sharing to access your files
`and folders using a laptop on the road.)
`
`Note: Your network may include only one Windows XP computer, along with a Windows 95 or 98 machine
`or two. That's perfectly OK; all of these PCs can participate as equals in this party. This chapter points out
`whatever differences you may find in the procedures.
`
`CHAPTER 18: USlNG YOUR NETWORK
`
`527
`
`Lenovo EX-1006, Page 540
`IPR2021-00786 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`Simple File Sharing
`
`Simple File Sharing
`Windows XP Home Edition makes it very easy for anyone on the network to make
`certain folders available to everybody else on the network. Some people, in fact, will
`probably find it too easy. To understand why, it helps to have some background on
`how file sharing works in Windows 2000, whose engine drives Windows XP.
`
`File Sharing in Windows 2000
`In Windows 2000, the software controls for sharing files on the network are designed
`for maximum flexibility-and maximum security-in corporations.
`
`In Windows 2000, for example, you might begin by burrowing through your hard
`drive, specifying which folders you want to make available on the network. Then you
`specify who, on your network, has access to these folders. Then you have to determine
`how much access each person gets. Sometimes you want people to be able to open
`documents but not change them, sometimes you want a "drop box" effect (people
`can put things in a folder, but can't see what else is there), and so on. You can even
`assign passwords tha