How to Learn Computer Networking: Step-by-Step Guide

This updated guide explains how to Learn Computer Networking through clear steps, practical examples, and important checks that help prevent common errors.

Part 1 of 5:

Learning Computer Networking Basics

Understand what computer networking is. Networking refers to connecting two or more computers to one another, usually for the purpose of sharing files between them. This concept also applies to network items (e. g., printers) which can be shared by any computers which are networked to the computer to which the printer is connected.
- Networking usually requires that you enable settings on your computer which make it more vulnerable to outside interference. If you're going to network your computer, make sure it has a password.
- Networking can also apply to wireless connections, such as the ones used to connect one computer to an Internet modem.
Know the different components of a wireless connection. When connecting your computer to a wireless Internet connection (Wi-Fi), you'll need to know what the following terms mean:
- Router � Connects to an Internet modem in order to broadcast a wireless Internet signal.
- Modem � Bridges the connection between the hard-wired Internet cable and the router. Some routers and modems are built into the same unit.
- SSID � The name of your wireless network.
- Key � The password used to log into your wireless network.
Learn how Ethernet works. You can use Ethernet cables to connect two computers to one another, to connect a computer directly to the modem or router, or to connect a computer to another network item such as a printer. Using Ethernet generally leads to a more consistent connection between two items, but can also be limiting due to the fact that not all computers support Ethernet.
- Ethernet cables can be found in tech stores and in online locations such as Amazon.
- If you're using a Mac laptop or some Microsoft notebook laptops, you most likely don't have an Ethernet port. You can solve this problem by buying a USB (Windows) or USB-C (Mac) Ethernet adapter and plugging it into your computer.
EXPERT TIP

Computer Repair Technician & Owner, Pleasure Point Computers
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades.

Luigi Oppido Computer Repair Technician & Owner, Pleasure Point Computers

Expert Trick: The easiest way to understand how networking words is to plug two computers into a network switch. Then, use one computer to try to look at files on the other. Adjust the workgroup, and shared folders, and network settings until you get it figured out.
Connect a computer to Wi-Fi. Connecting to Wi-Fi will vary slightly depending on your computer, but you'll usually click the Wi-Fi logo in your computer's taskbar or menu bar, click the name (SSID) for your preferred Wi-Fi network, enter the password for the network, and follow any on-screen instructions from there.
- Always make sure you're in range of the Wi-Fi network when connecting. In most cases, this means being within around 100 feet of the router, though being closer when first connecting is best.
Always use a password. As mentioned earlier, networking your computer places it in a vulnerable state in which others can view your files. If your computer uses a password, this isn't a problem; however, failing to use a password means that anyone on your network who has your computer's username can view your computer's files.
- The same goes for your wireless network.

Part 2 of 5:

Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Open Settings
. Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window. This will open the Settings window.
Click
Network & Internet. You'll find this globe-shaped icon in the Settings window.
Click Network and Sharing Center. It's a link near the bottom of the window.
- If you don't see this link, make sure you're on the correct page by clicking Status in the upper-left corner of the window. You may also need to scroll down.
Click Change advanced sharing settings. This link is in the top-left corner of the window.
Check the "Turn on network discovery" box. It's in the "Network discovery" section of the page.
- If you may need to connect a printer to your computer and share it later, you should also check the "Turn on automatic setup" box below the "Turn on network discovery" section.
Check the "Turn on file and printer sharing" box. This option is in the "File and printer sharing" section near the middle of the page.
Click Save changes. It's at the bottom of the window. This will save your settings, thus enabling file sharing on your computer.
Share a specific folder. If you may need to make sure that a specific folder is shared, do the following:^{[1]XResearch source}
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to the folder you may need to share.
- Click the Share tab.
- Click Specific users...
- Click the drop-down box, then click Everyone
- Click Add , then click Share

Part 3 of 5:

Open the Apple menu
. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Click System Preferences.... This is at the top of the drop-down menu.
Click Sharing. It's on the right side of the System Preferences window. Doing so prompts the Sharing menu to pop up.
Check the "File Sharing" box. You'll find this option on the left side of the Sharing menu.
Add a folder. If you may need to add a folder to your Mac's "Shared" list, do the following:
- Click + under the currently shared folder(s).
- Select a folder.
- Click Add in the bottom-right corner.
Select your administrator account. Click the name of the main Mac account in the lower-right corner of the window.
Click Options.... It's above the list of accounts. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
Check the box next to your name. This will enable Windows sharing for your Mac.
- If you plan on sharing your Mac's files exclusively with other Mac users, check instead the "SMB" box near the top of the menu.
Enter your password. When prompted, type in the password you use to log into your Mac, then press ? Return.
Click Done. It's at the bottom of the menu. This will save your settings and share your folder(s) over your network.

Part 4 of 5:

Accessing Shared Files on Windows

Make sure you're using the correct network. Both your computer and the computer to which you may need to connect should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network in order for you to access their shared files.
- If you're connected to the other computer via an Ethernet cable, you should be able to access the shared files.
- If your router has different channels (e. g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), it's okay for the computers to use different channels as long as they're using the same network name (SSID).
Open File Explorer
. Click the folder-shaped File Explorer app icon in the taskbar to do so.
- You can also just press ? Win+E, or type file explorer into Start and then click File Explorer when it appears.
Click Network. It's on the left side of the File Explorer window, though you may need to place your cursor on the left-hand sidebar here and scroll down to view it. This will bring up a list of all your currently connected network items.
Double-click the computer's name. You should see it in the main window. Doing so will open a login form.
- If you don't see the computer's name, right-click a blank spot on the page and click Refresh . If the computer still doesn't appear, make sure file sharing is turned on for the computer.
Enter the other computer's login information. In the pop-up window which appears, type in the other computer's username and password.
Click OK. It's at the bottom of the window.
Browse the other computer's shared folders. As long as you enter the correct username and password for the other computer, this will allow you to open any folders you see in the Network window.
- You may even be able to add files and folders or edit the existing ones if the other computer allows it.

Part 5 of 5:

Accessing Shared Files on Mac

Make sure you're using the correct network. Both your computer and the computer to which you may need to connect should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network in order for you to access their shared files.
- If you're connected to the other computer via an Ethernet cable, you should be able to access the shared files.
- If your router has different channels (e. g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), it's okay for the computers to use different channels as long as they're using the same network name (SSID).
Open
Finder. Click the Finder app icon, which resembles a blue face, in your Mac's Dock.
Click the computer's name. Below the "Shared" heading on the left side of the Finder window, click the name of the computer to which you may need to connect. This will bring up a blank window.
- If you don't see any computer names listed in the "Shared" section, close and re-open Finder.
- It may take a few minutes for connected computers to show up in Finder.
Click Connect As.... It's a button in the upper-right corner of the Finder window.
Click Connect when prompted. Doing so opens a login form.
Enter the name and password for the other computer. Type the other computer's username into the top text field, then type in the password used to log into that computer.
Click Connect. It's at the bottom of the window. This will prompt your Mac to display the other computer's shared folders.
Browse the other computer's shared folders. As long as you enter the correct username and password for the other computer, this will allow you to open any folders you see in the Finder window.
- You may even be able to add files and folders or edit the existing ones if the other computer allows it.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to Learn Computer Networking?

Start with the requirements in this guide, then follow each step in order. Check the result after every major change so problems are easier to identify.