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IV. Managing and Troubleshooting Your Network
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IV. Managing and Troubleshooting Your Network
by Mark Edward Soper
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Home Networking
Copyright
Dedication
About the Author
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!
Introduction
Do You Need This Book?
How This Book Is Organized
How to Use This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
I. Network Your Life, Not Just Your Computers
1. What Is a Home Network?
What Is a Network?
Similarities Between Home and Business Networks
How Do Home Networks Differ from Business Networks?
Home Networks for Fun
Digital Video Recording and Playback
Digital Audio File Sharing and Playback
Digital Photo Storage, Viewing and Printing
Online and Network Gaming
Home Networks for Lifelong Learning
Research
Certification and Continuing Education
Distance Education
Home Networks for Business
Remote Access to Corporate Networks
Access to Corporate Email
Conclusion
2. Building Blocks of the Home Network
What Makes a Home Network Work?
Network Types
Wired Networks
Ethernet
HomePNA
HomePlug
Wireless
Wireless Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Sharing Broadband Internet Access
Broadband Internet Devices
Broadband Internet Access Sharing Methods
Mix-and-Match Networking
What You Need to Build Your Home Network
Wi-Fi Home Network Components
Wi-Fi Network Adapters
Wi-Fi Wireless Access Points and Routers
Specialized Wi-Fi Adapters
Diagramming Your Wi-Fi Network
Configuration 1: Local Networking with a Media Adapter
Configuration 2: Shared Internet Access with Print Server
Ethernet Home Network Components
Ethernet Network Adapters
Ethernet Network Cables
Ethernet Switches, Hubs, and Routers
Specialized Ethernet Adapters
Diagramming Your Ethernet Network
Configuration 1: Two-Station Local Network
Configuration 2: Shared Internet Access with Print Server and Media Adapter
HomePNA Home Network Components
HomePNA Network Adapters
HomePNA Routers
Specialized HomePNA Adapters
Diagramming Your HomePNA Network
Configuration 1: Local Network
Configuration 2: Shared Internet Access
HomePlug Home Networking
HomePlug Adapters
HomePlug Routers
Specialized HomePlug Adapters
Diagramming Your HomePlug Network
Building a Mix-and-Match Network
Configuration 1: Ethernet + Wi-Fi for Extra Speed in Video Playback
Configuration 2: Wi-Fi + HomePlug to Cover Blind Spots
Network Software
Network Protocols
3. Planning Your Home Network
Goals for Your Home Network
Recreation
Education
Business
Mixed-Use Networks
Finding the Best Home Network for You
Wi-Fi Pros and Cons
HomePNA Pros and Cons
HomePlug Pros and Cons
Ethernet Pros and Cons
Evaluating Your Current Hardware for Network Capabilities
Examining Your PCs
Checking Out Your Personal Video Recorders (PVRs)
Evaluating Your Game Systems
Costing Out Your Network
Broadband Internet Access
Network Wiring
Network Adapters for PCs
Routers, Switches, and Bridges
Specialized Network Adapters
Bringing Your Network Online in Stages
II. Building Your Home Network
4. Choosing a Broadband Internet Access Technology
Understanding Broadband Internet Access Types
Cable Internet
Cable Internet Hardware
Cable Internet Speeds
Cable Internet Ordering and Pricing
DSL
DSL Hardware
DSL Speeds
ADSL Pricing
Satellite
Satellite Internet Hardware
Satellite Internet Speeds
Satellite Internet Ordering and Pricing
Wireless
Wireless Hardware
Wireless Pricing and Availability
Powerline (BPL)
Comparing Different Broadband Service Types
Choosing the Right Service for You
Service Cost per Month
Equipment Cost per Month
Other Up-Front Costs
Cost per Kbps
Upload Speeds
Support for VPNs
Network-Friendliness
Self-installing DSL
Testing Your Broadband Connection
5. Installing and Configuring a Wired Ethernet Network
Why Wired Ethernet Still Makes Sense
Adding Network Adapters to Your Hardware
Adding Wired Ethernet Adapters to Your PCs
Installing a USB Adapter
Installing a PC Card or CardBus Adapter
Installing a PCI Adapter
Adding Home Entertainment Devices to Your Network
Hub, Switch, or Router? Making the Right Connectivity Choice
Building Versus Buying Ethernet Cables
Assembled Cable Benefits and Drawbacks
Building and Running Your Own Ethernet Cables
Building a Standard Cable
Building a Cable with a Keystone Jack
Hiding Your Cables
Running Network Cable
Cable Distance Limits
Using HomePlug or HomePNA as an Alternative to Rewiring
Bridging Ethernet to Other Network Types
Configuring Your Ethernet Network
Configuring a Router for Broadband Internet Sharing
Using the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard
Configuring a Shared Connection Without a Network Wizard
Creating a Strictly Local Network with APIPA
6. Installing and Configuring a Wi-Fi Network
What Is Wireless Ethernet?
The Three Flavors of Wi-Fi
802.11b
802.11a
802.11g
Comparing 802.11 Standards
Proprietary Extensions (22Mbps, 100Mbps, 108Mbps)
Dealing with Different Flavors at Home and at Work
Wi-Fi–Ready Computers
Intel Centrino Family
Other Wireless Solutions
Building Your Wireless Ethernet Network
Adding Wireless Ethernet Adapters to Your PCs
Installing Wi-Fi Adapters in Your PC
Adding Wi-Fi Adapters to Home Entertainment Products
Wireless Access Points and Routers
Configuring Your Wireless Network
Configuring Your WAP
Configuring the WAP’s SSID
Configuring the WAP’s Channel
Adjusting Security Settings on the WAP
Configuring IP Address Settings and Wrapping Up the Process
Using a Web Browser to Make Configuration Changes to the WAP
Configuring Router Features
Configuring Your Wireless Adapters
Using the Windows XP Wireless Configuration Utility
Using a Vendor-Supplied Wireless Network Configuration Tool
Configuring a PDA or Smart Phone’s Wireless Connection
Testing Your Wireless Network
Completing Wireless Network Setup
Wireless Security 101
Home Networking Wizard
Increasing the Range and Speed of Your Connection
Improving Speed
Reducing Interference with Wireless Adapters
All G? Use the G Only Setting
Alternatives to WEP Encryption
Improving Range
Antenna Upgrades
Repeaters
Covering Blind Spots with HomePlug Networking
Building Up Your Wireless Network
III. Enjoying Your Home Network
7. Home Networks at Play
Playing Photos, Video, and Music on Your Home Theater System
Selecting a Home Media Adapter
Installing and Configuring a Home Media Adapter
Playing Your Media Files with Your Media Adapter
Troubleshooting Playback Problems with Your Media Adapter
The Media Adapter Can’t Connect to Server PC(s)
The Media Adapter Doesn’t Respond When I Use the Remote Control
I Can’t Select the Media Files I Want to Play or View
I Selected Files, but They Don’t Play
The Music File Appears to Play, but I Can’t Hear It
Adding Network and Online Gaming to Your Home Network
Using the Xbox for Network and Online Gaming
Selecting a Router Compatible with the Xbox
Selecting an Xbox-compatible Broadband Service
Setting Up the Xbox for Online Gaming
Using the PlayStation2 for Network and Online Gaming
Using the Nintendo GameCube for Network and Online Gaming
Connecting Game Consoles to a Wi-Fi Network
Configuring Your Game Console to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network
Troubleshooting Your Game Console’s Network Connection
My Console Doesn’t Know It Has a Network Connection
My Console Can’t Connect to the Network
Adding Set-Top Digital Video Recorders to Your Home Network
Connecting TiVo to Your Home Network
Connecting ReplayTV to Your Home Network
Using Multimedia PCs on Your Home Network
ATI All-in-Wonder and EAZYSHARE
NVIDIA Personal Cinema and ForceWare Multimedia
Media Center PCs and Windows XP Media Center Edition
8. Home Networks at Work and School
Sharing Network Resources
Sharing Printers
Shared and Remote Printers
Accessing a Remote Printer
Sharing a Newly Installed Printer
Fixing “Broken” File and Printer Sharing in Windows XP/2000
Installing File and Print Sharing in Windows 9x/Me
Using a Print Server
Sharing Folders
Windows XP and Simple File Sharing
Permissions-Based File Sharing in Windows XP Professional and Windows 2000
Creating Folder Shares in Windows 9x/Me
Safeguarding Your Data in Simple Ways
Accessing Shared Folders
Drive Mapping
Using Network Storage
Sharing Scanners and All-in-One Devices
All-in-One Devices with Integrated Network Support
RemoteScan
Keyspan USB Server
Connecting Securely to a Remote Network with Your Home Network
VPN Connections and Home Networks
Using Remote Access Solutions
Using GoToMyPC
Using LapLink Everywhere
9. Home, Sweet, Controlled and Secure Home
What You Can Do with Home Control
Technologies Available for DIY Home Control
Understanding X10 Technology
Controlling Your Home with X10 and Your Home Network
Understanding Z-Wave Technology
Controlling Your Home with Z-Wave
Commercial Home Control Systems and Home Networks
HAI Omni Series
iTouch
Vantage Controls
Xanboo
Using a Webcam for Home Security
Setting Up a Wireless Webcam
Setting Up a Dynamic DNS Server to Enable Remote Access
IV. Managing and Troubleshooting Your Network
10. Securing Your Home Network
Securing Your Wireless and Wired Ethernet Networks
Enabling 128-bit WEP Encryption
Hiding Your Wireless Access Point from Intruders
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
MAC-based Access Control Lists
Using ipconfig and winipcfg to Look Up MAC Addresses
Determining MAC Addresses for Entertainment Devices
Configuring Your WAP or Wireless Router to Provide MAC Filtering
Limiting the Number of Dynamic IP Addresses
Securing Your Broadband Internet Connection
Internet Firewalls
SPI Routers and Firewall Appliances
Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
Third-Party Firewall Software
Using ZoneAlarm
Using Antivirus Software
Stopping Adware/Spyware Programs
Avoiding “Phishing” Expeditions
Protecting Your Family
11. Troubleshooting Your Home Network
The Home Networker’s Guide to TCP/IP
Understanding Private and Public IP Addresses
DHCP for Easy Networking
APIPA-Assigned IP Addresses
Recovering from an APIPA-Assigned IP Address
Releasing and Renewing IP Addresses
Manual IP Address Configuration
Determining Available IP Addresses
Configuring a Windows XP/2000 Computer to Use a Manual IP Address
Configuring a Windows 9x/Me Computer to Use a Manual IP Address
Dealing with Multiple TCP/IP and Network Configurations
Troubleshooting Your Network
After You Swap Network Adapters, You Can’t Connect to the Internet
Using Windows XP’s Network Troubleshooters
Network Diagnostics
Troubleshooting with ping
Troubleshooting with Windows XP’s Network Repair Option
Troubleshooting Slow Connections Between Windows 9x/Me and Windows 2000/XP Systems
Troubleshooting Cabling Problems
Detecting and Solving Problems with UTP and Ethernet Cable
Detecting and Solving Problems with Coaxial Cable
Correcting Broadband Internet Device Problems
Troubleshooting Your PC’s Ethernet and USB Connections
Troubleshooting Ethernet Port/Card Problems
Using the Windows Device Manager
Troubleshooting USB Port Problems
Solving Routing Problems
More Help from Many Places
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Prev
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9. Home, Sweet, Controlled and Secure Home
Next
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10. Securing Your Home Network
Part IV. Managing and Troubleshooting Your Network
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