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Disclaimer: PSC Technical Support does not support home or small office networks. This information is provided only as a service to PSC customers who wish to set up a Local Area Network. PSC Technical Support can assist you with Internet service problems, but in the process of troubleshooting your problem, you may be asked to disconnect your Internet service from your LAN and connect your service to a single computer.
If you need assistance with your LAN, contact your router manufacturer's technical support number, or contact a local networking professional.
Router Technical Support Numbers:Belkin: Phone (800) 223-5546 x2263 D-Link: (877) 453-5465 Linksys: (800) 326-7114 Netgear: 1-888-NETGEAR
1. How do I share my broadband connection with more than one computer?
The simple answer to this question is to set up a home network using a router. The idea of setting up a "network" sounds complicated, but is actually very easy.The most important piece of hardware you will need for your network is a router. A router is a device that connects two networks: Your home network, usually referred to as a Local Area Network (LAN), and PSC, a Wide Area Network (WAN). In turn, PSC has routers that connect to the Internet, the biggest Wide Area Network in the world!
The router allows the computers on your LAN to share your connection to the Internet, and have the added benefit of allowing them to share information with each other. An additional benefit is that a router can act as a type of firewall for your connection - if it is configured properly; you can get out to the Internet, but others can't get in. It is also possible to set up the router so that only certain computers can connect to your router. These are identified by the MAC address of your Ethernet card, a long, unique ID hard wired into each card made.
Of the simplest routers, there are two types. The first is a basic, broadband router (sometimes referred to as a DSL/Cable router). This device connects to your Internet connection, and each computer is connected to the router through a common Ethernet cable. Most routers have at least four ports to connect up to four computers to the router. Models are also available that will connect 8, 16 or 32 computers to the same router, or you can also connect one router to another, or add a switch to further expand the connections available.
The second type of router, a wireless router, is similar to the basic broadband router, but also includes a wireless access point, so laptops and computers with wireless networking within range of the router can connect to the Internet without a cable. Wireless routers usually include the four ports that the basic router has, but also allows for many wireless connections.
The difference between wireless networking and Wireless Internet
It is important to note here that Wireless Internet (such as PSC's Wireless Internet) and wireless networking are two different concepts that share a few points.
PSC's Wireless Internet is commonly called "fixed wireless". Fixed wireless requires special equipment and allows the Internet connection to be sent from point A (PSC's Access Point or "tower") to point B (your home or business). These are closed systems and cannot be accessed by the wireless networking available on laptops and routers.
Wireless networking allows any computer with wireless networking hardware (such as a laptop) to connect to connect to the wireless access point (the wireless router), provided the computer is within range (usually about 300 feet) and has the proper "keys" (security - if the router has been set up properly!). These wireless networks are defined by the IEEE standard 803.11 ("a", "b" or "g", depending on the protocol used by the router), and devices using the same 803.11 standard, ideally, are able to connect to each other. These are the same kinds of wireless networks that many businesses have set up to allow customers to access the Internet while on their premises (commonly called "hot spots").
So simply, Wireless Internet refers to the connection between you (or your LAN) and PSC. Wireless networking refers to the connection between your computer and your router.
2. Hardware for a home network
First you need to decide which type of network you need, cabled, wireless or mixed, and then choose the appropriate router.
If the computers are all in one room or nearby, you can use a wired network and a basic router. Keep in mind that you will need to run CAT5 Ethernet cable for each computer. CAT5 cable can be purchased in different lengths or purchased in bulk. Also, if you use bulk cable, you will need to add connectors to the ends of your runs; this requires special tools and information on correctly wiring the connectors.
If the running all that cable seems daunting, you may want to go with a wireless router. Computers that are near the router can still use cabled connections and pre-made Ethernet cables, while computers in other rooms can use wireless connections. If you have a laptop, a wireless network gives you the option of working anywhere within range of the router. Most new laptops have wireless networking built in, but for those that don't, you can purchase wireless Ethernet PC cards that fit the laptop's PCMCIA card slots. Desktop computers will also need wireless Ethernet connections (similar to regular Ethernet cards, but include a small antenna for wireless Ethernet connections).
You will most likely need to purchase additional equipment, depending on the router you have chosen and what is available on your computer(s).
For a cabled network:
1 basic broadband routerEthernet cables: One for each computer. Plan ahead where you are going to place the router and measure the distance to each computer. Allow a few extra feet for slack and routing the cable along walls and under desks.
Ethernet cards: One for each computer. Most new computers have Ethernet cards built in, but verify this on your computers. Look at the image of an Ethernet port, then see if you have one on the back of your computer.
Another way to check is to look in your computer's Device Manager to see if an Ethernet card is installed there:
1. Click on Start
2. Windows Me, 98: go to Settings
3. Click on Control Panel
4. Click on System (Windows XP: If in Category view, click first on Performance and Maintenance).
5. Windows XP: Click the Hardware tab; click the Device Manager button.
Windows Me, 98: Click the Device Manager tab.
7. Click the "+" in front of Network Adapters. Note: If you don't have Network Adapters in this list, either you don't have an Ethernet card, or the drivers have not been installed correctly.
6. Note the name of the adapter listed. Usually, if it mentions "Ethernet", "Network Controller", "Network Connector", "10/100" or "NIC", it is an Ethernet card.If your computer doesn't have an Ethernet card, they are very inexpensive, easy to install, and available almost anywhere. If your laptop doesn't have an Ethernet connection, you can buy Ethernet cards that fit the PCMCIA card slot.
For a wireless network:
1 wireless broadband routerEthernet cables: 1 each for any computers using cabled connections to the router.
Ethernet cards: For cabled connections to the wireless router. See above for details on checking Ethernet cards on your computer.
Wireless Ethernet cards: For any computers using a wireless connection to the router. Most new laptops have wireless connections built in (especially if your laptop mentions it has an Intel Centrino processor). If not, you can purchase wireless Ethernet cards that fit the PCMCIA card slot.
If you want to connect a desktop computer that has a cabled Ethernet port wirelessly to your router, you will need to purchase a wireless Ethernet card for that computer. Note: You will usually have to have at least one computer with a cabled Ethernet port for setting up the wireless connections on the router, but most wireless Ethernet cards include a wired port.
3. Setting up a home network
In general, it is recommended that you follow the instructions that come with your router. This usually includes a setup CD that will step you through the process of setting up your network, your router and connecting the router to the Internet.
In many cases, the setup CD will instruct you NOT to disconnect your computer from the Internet until you have started the setup and the software has been able to detect your connection type. At that point, you are usually instructed to disconnect the Internet connection cable from your computer, and then connect it to the WAN or Internet port on the router. Then you can connect your computer to one of the ports (1-4) on the router and complete the setup. You will receive additional instructions on setting up your wireless access and connecting your other computers.
But if all else fails, the following information may allow you to set your connection up manually. These instructions are very generic, but most broadband routers are set up similarly and require the same information, though you may have to find where to put it.
Connect your hardware
1. Set up the router, but don't connect the power supply.
2. Disconnect the Internet cable from the back of your computer and plug it into the WAN or INTERNET port on the router (not the ports marked 1-4).
3. Take the Ethernet cable that came with the router and plug into the Ethernet port in your computer (the same connection where you removed the Internet connection). Plug the other end of the cable into the "1" port on the router.
4a. If you have DSL service, turn off your modem for 20 seconds (verify that the lights on the front of the modem are all off), and then turn it back on. Watch the DSL light until it comes back on solid, indicating the modem is connected to the PSC network.
4b. If you have PSC's Wireless Internet service, unplug the power supply for the radio for 20 second (verify that the green light on the power supply is off), then reconnect the power supply. Wait a FULL MINUTE for the radio to re-establish contact with the PSC network.
5. Connect the power supply to your router. Make sure the lights are lit on the front of the router.Set up your router
1. On your computer, open Internet Explorer. If you get a connection window, cancel the connection and ignore any error messages.
2. At the top of Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then on Internet Options.
3. Click the Connections tab.
4. Select the option "Never dial a connection". (Your router will be making your connection to PSC).
5. At the bottom of the window, click APPLY, then OK.
6. At the top of Internet Explorer, click on File, then Open.
7. Enter the IP address (or web address) for your router:
Note: This information may not apply to all routers of the same brand.
Brand IP Address Belkin 192.168.2.1:88 D-Link 192.168.0.1 LinkSys 192.168.1.1 NetGear http://www.routerlogin.net/basicsetting.htm 8. Click OK. This should open your router's login window.
9. Enter the default username and password shown below:
Note: This information may not apply to all routers of the same brand.
Brand Default Username Default Password Belkin No username (leave blank) D-Link admin (leave blank) LinkSys (leave blank) admin NetGear (leave blank) (leave blank) 10. Find your Setup page on the router.
11. For connection type, select PPPoE
12. If you need to choose between Dynamic or Static IP Address, select Dynamic.
13. Enter your PSC username and password
14. If you have a Service or Host name, leave blank
15. Save your settings. There is usually a "SAVE", "APPLY" or "OK" button on the page.
16. Close Internet Explorer and reopen. Test to see if you can receive web pages in Internet Explorer. Note that you should NOT see a connection screen.Set up your wireless access
You may need to turn on wireless access in your router before your computers using wireless connections can connect.
1. Open Internet Explorer and log on to your router (See steps 6-9 above).
2. Find the settings for wireless access.
3. Enable wireless access to your router.
4. Note the SSID. The SSID is the name of the network that will appear when wireless connections detect your router. In most cases it may be the brand name of the router, or just "default". You can change this if you like.
5. Note the default channel your router is using. The default is usually "6".
6. WEP, key type and key: This is the security of your wireless connections. If you leave the default options and leave the connection open, anyone who comes within range of your router can connect to your network, have access to your Internet connection (as you), and have access to any computer connected to your router! For the sake of simplicity, you may want to leave this at the default (disabled) settings, but you should eventually set up this security.
If you enable WEP, you will have to provide a key type and key. Key types are HEX (hexadecimal numbers) and ASCII (text, such as a "password"). HEX is probably more secure, but not many are fluent in hexadecimal. Choose ASCII.
In the Key field (you may have options for more than one key; select the first one) enter a password. Pay attention to upper and lower case letters in the password you choose. Make a note of this password, as you will need it for making your wireless connections to the router.
Before closing the window, write down the SSID of your wireless network, the channel number and the WEP key. This is the information you need for your wireless connections. Click SAVE or APPLY to save the information on the router.
7. Restart the router by disconnecting the power for a few seconds and reconnecting.
Connect other computers (cabled)
1. If you needed to purchase an Ethernet card for the computer, install it according to the directions that came with the card.
2. Connect an Ethernet cable to one of the open ports on the router.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port in the computer.
4. Disable any connections that have been set up in the computer: On your computer, open Internet Explorer. If you get a connection window, cancel the connection and ignore any error messages.
5. At the top of Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then on Internet Options.
6. Click the Connections tab.
7. Select the option "Never dial a connection". (Your router will be making your connection to PSC).
8. At the bottom of the window, click APPLY, then OK.
9. Close Internet Explorer and reopen. Test to see if you can receive web pages in Internet Explorer. Note that you should NOT see a connection screen.
Connect other computers (wireless)
1. If you had to purchase a wireless Ethernet card for the computer, install it according to the directions that came with the card.
2. In the System Tray (lower right corner of the screen), you should have an icon for your wireless networking. Double-click the icon to open the Wireless Networking window.
3. Click on the option to detect available networks. You should see the SSID from your router listed.
4. Select the network and click Connect. If you set up WEP on the router, you will be prompted for the key. Enter the key and click OK. This should establish your connection to the network.
5. Open Internet Explorer and test to see if you can receive web pages.
See Also:
Setting up your e-mail program
Troubleshooting DSL Connections
Troubleshooting Wireless Connections
Troubleshooting Router Connections