June 23 - July 2

Building your home network by Alessandro Cancian A recent statistical report highlighted the fact that the ratio of computers to families is on the rise. Technological and cultural development imply that each of us have different needs in terms of IT, using computers for work, school and/or entertainment. Some weeks ago I was talking with a friend who had just bought a computer for his daughter so that she might use it for her research instead of having to wait for her fathers desktop to be available. The main problem was how to share a printer and an Internet connection without spending a fortune. That friend is one of many who try and create a small domestic network. Nowadays things have simplified a lot, and connecting two computers has become an easy task even for those who always had problematic relationships with the world of IT. One of the most interesting products on the market is surely Home Network Ethernet Kit by 3Com, a world leader in connectivity. The kit, only available for PCs, is composed of two Ethernet 10/100 BaseT cards, a dual speed 10-100 Mps 5 port Ethernet Hub, 2 network cables and a CD by Microsoft containing everything you need for setting up your network. Dont be scared if my words sound like gibberish to you; these are technical terms that cannot be avoided, but rest assured that things are much simpler than they appear. The kit is ideally suited for those whose computers are not equipped with built-in network connections. In general, for instance, PCs (as opposed to Macs) do not come with these ports, so additional cards must be installed. Following the step-by-step instructions means that card installation becomes merely a matter of time. Having done that, youll only need to connect the computers to the central hub with the cables supplied. After that, insert the CD with the Microsoft software and follow the various wizard panels. Thanks to Microsoft HomeClick, sharing a printer, an Internet connection or some files among several PCs is really quite simple; unfortunately, it is only possible for Windows 98 users. The package, in fact, contains an update for W98 Second Edition, thus cutting off those users, and there are many still, who use W95. Anyway, 3Coms Home Network kit offers good network performance and thanks to its ease of installation is an ideal product for home users wishing to set up a network. From the financial point of view, theres is considerable savings if one only considers having to buy a printer for each PC. In the era of the Internet, networking becomes almost unavoidable if you want to share a hi-tech connection such as cable or DSL. Those who still use W95 and do not want to fork out the money needed to upgrade their OS will need either some practice of PC networking protocols or some other technical solutions. Further info is available from www.3com.com

 

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