How to Set Up a Server Based Network

[By Ferose.Red, Powered By Mizaro Technologies]

Personal computers are becoming more common and less expensive. Many households now have more than one personal computer, and the need for networking computers to share peripherals is increasing. To help with the sharing of devices, printers, Internet connections, and other peripherals, a network can be set up. If you have a number of family members, you can set up a server-based network that will allow you control over the computers, users, and all the devices.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• More than one computer (usually at least three) with installed network cards
• Server computer with more than one network card
• Hub, router, or network connection device
• Basic knowledge of computers and networks

1. • 1

     Plan your network. You need to know what parts of your network will end up where on the network. In a typical network, your server will be the hub of your network, but it will also connect to another network, usually the Internet. Decide which computers will be inside your network and which will not use the network (if any).

   • 2

     Plug one of the server network cards into the external network using a CAT5 or better (CAT5e, CAT6). This will often be the Internet by way of broadband or other connection to an ISP. Configure the server to work to this network using the information provided by your ISP.

   • 3

     Connect the other server network card to your network hub. If you are using a router, do not use the "uplink" or "Internet" port. Instead, just plug it into one of the other ports that are open.

   • 4

     Connect the other computers that will be on your network to the other open ports on the hub. Again, do not use the "uplink" or "internet" port on the router/hub.

   • 5

     Configure the DHCP and DNS applications on your network server. Each operating system will have its own way to configure these systems.

   • 6

     Start up the other computers on the network and configure them to ask the network computer for start-up information. Each operating system will have its own way to set this configuration. If you have set up the DNS to be a domain server, you will need to have each computer join a domain in order to allow them to start up and connect.

   • 7

     Set up accounts for the computers and the users on the server. Again, each operating system will have its own way to set up users and computers.

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