02 Installing and Configuring a LAN
You’ve got the basics, now let’s install a network. You need to install a network
interface card (NIC), including proper drivers. Youmust install client
software so that the PC can see and be seen on the network. The NIC needs to
run a properly configured network protocol that matches that of other machines.
And finally, youmust enable File and Printer Sharing to turn the PC into
a server and make its resources available for other users across the network.
Of course, you also need to connect the PC to the network hub or switch via
some sort of cable (preferably CAT 6 with Gigabit Ethernet cranking through
the wires, but that’s just me) or through a wireless standard.When you install a
NIC, by default, Windows 2000, XP, and Vista install TCP/IP (configured for
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, DHCP), the Client for Microsoft Networks,
and File and Printer Sharing.