HOW TO CONFIGURE LAN NETWORK

 HOW TO CONFIGURE LAN NETWORK?

A local area network is a high-speed data network that covers a small geographical area such as a home, school, office building. It typically connects network devices in such a way that workstations, personal computers, printers, servers, and other devices can share data, programs etc.



Determine your requirements to configure LAN network
● Determine the required network type: wired or wireless network.
● Determine how many computers will be connecting to the network via Ethernet?
● Measure the coverage area for the network.
● Determine if you want all network devices to have internet access.
● Cost for the Network setup.

Note:
Wired network: It lacks the mobility of the connected devices. Wired network is difficult to set up and are quite expensive.
Wireless network: It allows users to move anywhere within the range without hassle. It is easy to set up the network.

Main components required to configure LAN network
● A HUB/ Switch / Router (wired or wireless router).
● Computers with wired or wireless network adapter.
● Ethernet Cable for each computer.
● Broadband Internet Connection (if required).

Note:
Dial-up: You need to dial up your ISP whenever you want to connect to the Internet. It’s a slow speed connection.
Broadband: Unlike dial-up, with broadband your phone line is not tied up. You can make a phone call and be on the internet at the same time. It is a high speed connection.

How to set up Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections.

Step 1: Setup physical connection of DSL Router (setup Internet connection)
● Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides Internet connection through telephone line using twisted pair cable with RJ11 connector.

Telephone Line Splitter

● One end of this cable connect telephone line Splitter Connector and other end connects with DSL port (Internet Port or WAN port) of the modem or wireless router. 

Note:

A modem connects your home network with the ISP for Internet connect. The modem connects to the router or directly to a computer using an Ethernet cable. The wireless router can connect multiple computers through Ethernet ports or built-in antennas i.e. it can connect both wired and wireless devices. DSL router is a device that combines the function of modem and router.

Step 2: Configure DSL Router to setup Wi-Fi
● Connect an Ethernet cable from Ethernet LAN port of the wireless router to Ethernet port of a computer or laptop for configuration of the router.
● Power on the computer and wireless router.
● Open web browser -> Type the IP address of wireless router into the Address Bar -> then press Enter.
(Router and modem have a default IP - address of 192.168.1.1 with a subnet of 255.255.255.0.)
● The router's sign-in page will appear, enter User Name and Password of the router -> Click on Log-In Button.
(Router have the default user-name and password such as user-name: admin and password: password or user-name: admin and password: admin.)
● Router's settings page will appear, go to Wireless Settings.
● In Wireless Network Settings, Enter Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Select 802.11 Mode.
● Select the Network Security setting, and choose an Encryption option (recommend WPA2), then press Enter.
● Wireless key / Pre-shared Key.

To setup internet connection on wireless router
● Go to Internet Settings , configure the router with the information provided by ISP.
● Go to LAN Setup , select the option to enable DHCP Server and enter starting and ending IP address range which will be provided by the router to the devices that will connect to this network.
● Click On Apply.

Step 2: Configure IP Address on computer
● Click on Start or press Windows Key on keyboard > type Control Panel > press Enter Key on Keyboard
● On Control Panel window select Category or Large icons / Small icons under View by
● If you select Category under View by, click on View network status and tasks under Network and Internet [OR] If you select Large icons / Small icons under View by, click on Network and Sharing Center
● Click on Change adapter settings
● Right click on Network Adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) -> click on Properties
● Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) -> click on Properties
● Click on Obtain IP address automatically
● Click OK to save TCP/IPv4 parameters
● Click on Close .

Step 3: To connect laptop or computer with wireless adapter to Wi-Fi router
● On the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, click on the Network icon
● One screen will appear with a list of available wireless networks
● Click on the wireless network name (SSID) you want to connect
● Check the Connect automatically option (optional).
● Enter the network security key (Wireless key / Pre-shared Key)
● Click the Next button
● Click the Connect button.

Step 4: Check the Connectivity between the Computers
● Click on Start or press Windows Key on keyboard > type cmd > press Enter key on Keyboard
● Type the following command on cmd
Check IP address of the wireless device

ipconfig

 Check the connectivity between others devices

ping  Destination_PC’s_IP_Address

How to configure LAN network (Wired LAN)

Step 1: Configure the physical connections
● Find the best location to put the Ethernet hub or switch so that it is centrally located for all the connected devices.
● Connect LAN port of computers and other devices like network printer with LAN port of Ethernet Switch through Ethernet Cable.
● Power on the HUB or Ethernet Switch.

Step 2: Configure IP address on computer
● Click on Start or press Windows Key on keyboard > type Control Panel > press Enter Key on Keyboard
● On Control Panel window select Category or Large icons / Small icons under View by
● If you select Category under View by, click on View network status and tasks under Network and Internet [OR] If you select Large icons / Small icons under View by, click on Network and Sharing Center
● Click on Change adapter settings
● Right click on Network Adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) -> click on Properties
● Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) -> click on Properties
● Click on Use the following IP address (If you need to create a static address)
● Type the required IP address in the IP address box
● Type the Subnet Mask in the Subnet mask box
● Type Default gateway address for that network (the IP address for the network’s
router, modem).
● Type the address of the Preferred DNS server (provided by ISP)
● Click Ok to save TCP/IPv4 parameters
● Click on Close .
(Steps 2 repeats for other computers which are connected to the Ethernet Switch.)

Note:
The network ID must be the same for all connected computers in the same LAN network.

Step 3: Check the Connectivity between the Computers by Ping Command
● Click on Start or press Windows Key on keyboard > type cmd > press Enter Key on Keyboard
● Type the following command on cmd

ping  Destination_PC’s_IP_Address

Step 4: Set up internet connection for Wired Local Area Network connection
● Internet Service Provider (ISP) provided Internet connection through telephone line using twisted pair cable with RJ11 connector.
● One end of this cable connect telephone line Splitter Connector and other end connect with Internet Port or WAN port of the modem or router and configure the router with the information provided by ISP.
● Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the LAN port of modem or router and the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of Ethernet Switch.

Ethernet: It is a popular LAN technology. It has been standardized as IEEE 802.3. It can have maximum length (segment length) of 100 meters. The Network Interface Card (NIC) used in Ethernet network known as Ethernet Card. An Ethernet LAN generally uses coaxial cable or twisted pair cables. Twisted pair cable comes in two varieties: Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) and Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP).