Configuring a general small network for home office or small office. If you are a home business owner, you may need a network in your home office or for your family. These instructions are general setup instructions and do not cover all possible variations of networks or computers.
Please note that though the figure displayed below has a server and switch, your network may not have these device. Ignore the devices if not present. Small business networks often have switches and servers. Consult the vendor or a computer consulting company for specific instructions about server and switch setup and configuration.
Note: This configuration works for either DSL or Cable Internet providers and accounts for wireless devices
Carefully unpack and verify all devices are present.
- Wireless router
- Laptop(s) and/or workstations
- Power adapters for outlet connections
- Surge suppressor/power strip
- DVD with network configuration software
- Cat 5 or 5e cables with RJ45 connectors (similar to but larger than a phone connection)
Electronic devices are sensitive to damage and electric or magnetic charges. Handle with care.
An Internet service provider (ISP) is responsible for providing a pre-programmed Cable or DSL modem. Contact the ISP with questions or concerns about missing or damaged modems.
Choose a name and SSID (or security ID) for this network. Names are not case-sensitive and may be any length. SSIDs must be either 8 or 13 characters in length and can contain numbers, letters or special characters like an ‘&’ or ‘$’. SSIDs are case-sensitive and should be documented and kept in a secure location.
From the outside wall, a cable will lead to the ISP modem. Multiple modem lights should be blinking. If not, unplug the device, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This resets the modem’s connection to the ISP. If the no lights are seen, contact the ISP for assistance.
Connecting Network Devices
Note: See Figure 1 for example network layout design
Unpack the wireless router. It is a rectangular box labeled with Wireless Router. Do not connect the wireless router to the power outlet.
- Plug one end of a Cat5 cable into a port marked LAN (or local area network) on the Cable or DSL modem.
- Plug the other end of the Cat5 cable in step 1 into the Wireless Router port marked Input.
- Plug one end of a Cat5 cable into port 1 on the wireless router.
- Plug the other end of the Cat5 cable in step 3 into the network port on the back of the computer. There is only one network port on most computers and the cable will plug in with a ‘click’..
Figure 1. Typical Small Network Design. The typical small network design includes wireless workstations connected to a switch and router.
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