Set up your own home computer network

Starting from a growing demand for home entertainment and work, deploying a home computer network is becoming an indispensable trend in the future . 'Digital family' is an indispensable trend in aligning the needs of entertainment, work, and making connections between family members.

Step 1: Select an Internet service provider

The first thing you need to do is choose a high-speed Internet provider (ISP). In Vietnam today this choice is not too difficult. Among ISPs such as VNPT / VDC, FPT, Viettel . VNPT / VDC is more outstanding in terms of speed, stability and service style. VNPT / VDC has just raised the service package speed but still kept the previous price.

Specifically, with Mega Easy package, the maximum speed (Download / Upload) is 1.536Kbps / 512Kbps (previously 384Kbps / 128Kbps); Mega Family plan has a maximum speed (Download / Upload) of 2.048Kbps / 512Kbps (previously 512Kbps / 256Kbps); Mega Extra package has a maximum speed (Download / Upload) of 2.560kbps / 512Kbps (before it is 1Mbps / 512Kbps) and Mega Maxi package has a maximum speed (Download / Upload) of 3,072Kbps / 640Kbps (previously 2Mbps) / 640Kbps).

Step 2: Identify computers in the network

Once your router is up and your computer can surf the Web, you need to make sure that they are not only connected to the Internet, but you can also see each other online. For Vista and Windows 7, this process will be done automatically. PC Vista will automatically identify computers on a network and attach them to the same IP subnet address. If the computers in a network cannot see each other, you need to use the " Set up a home network " wizard to install and identify.

For Windows XP PCs, the process is a bit more complicated. For machines with the same IP subnet range, they usually receive each other but not always. The best way is to use the " Set up a home network " wizard to install and identify.

Step 3: Learn about routers

A router is a core part of a home network because it plays a lot of important roles. This device is a connector to identify customers and Internet service providers. The router handles both external addresses and handles internal addresses (in the internal network). The process of switching between internal and external addresses is called Network Address Translation (NAT), and the automatic processing of internal addresses is called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

The NAT used by the TCP / IP network protocol cannot support millions of users, devices and websites simultaneously on the network. Routers usually have an address table of 192.168.xx, of which the last two 'x' sections are usually for users (also called subnets). Computers with addresses are in the range 192.168.1.x (x variation of 1 to 254) will be in the same subnet and will see each other. If it is 192.168.0.x, it will be located in 2 different subnets and will not see each other.

In addition to the address numbering, you need to understand the router's firewall feature. This is extremely important when you want to protect your network from outside threats. A good firewall should be able to check the status of the packet - that is, the number of packets received must match the sending request (to avoid receiving false packets). However, this is just an outer ring protection for the home network, because hackers have countless other sophisticated intrusion methods.

You should also install firewall software for each PC on your home network, and make sure they are updated regularly (very important). Currently firewalls have an update reminder mechanism, you just need to allow them to update automatically. For Windows PC generations, the firewall functionality in Vista and Windows 7 has been much better than Windows XP.

Step 4: Set up wireless network

If your router has a wireless signal broadcast function, this will be a huge advantage. However, it is very important to decide who is allowed to access your wireless network, or someone will use your service.

To prevent this, you need to use the security features in the router. There are 2 most popular features today are WEP and WPA2. Both have basic level of protection, but WPA2 has a stronger level of protection. However, many people still prefer to use WEP by Windows XP or 'allergy' with advanced wireless security features. In addition, if you use older Wi-Fi products (802.11b technology), WEP is better because they support all these devices. However, WEP is very easy to hack, so depending on the specific situation, you should decide which security method to use accordingly.

Setting up a wireless network will not take much time. First you need to select the broadcast channel accordingly, usually channels 1,6 or 11 (less likely to conflict). Set up all your wireless devices using the same channel. The router will then ask for the name of the wireless network (called SSID), security method (WEP or WPA2), security key (should set a complex password, for example, instead of using a password named 'password'). ', you should complicate it into' "P4ssW0rd1234" - which means using both letters, lowercase letters, numbers and letters combined. Why must you set such a complicated password? Complex passwords will discourage Wi-Fi thieves when using a cryptanalysis tool. Even when setting complex passwords, it is necessary to regularly change them, preferably once a month.

Step 3: Wire and connection port

When you complete the steps above, your network will operate fully. The remaining problem is to understand some relevant parameters. In a home network, you can use both a laptop and a laptop (connect LAN and wireless connection) and other devices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), so the devices connect via LANs should make sure they have Gigabit (1000Mbps) speed.

Gigabit speeds will be especially useful in case you transmit video signals or play high-definition TV content over the home network. If the port on the router is insufficient (usually not enough), you should buy a switch with a Gigabit port to connect between the router and the computer device.