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Getting
Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
Written
By: J.
Michael Neal
Step One: The
Research
Before you ever make a tech purchase or
begin a hardware upgrade you should always do extensive
research on the subject. Make sure you know exactly what you’re
getting into, exactly what gear you’ll need, exactly how
much it will cost, exactly how difficult it will be to pull
off, and exactly what could go wrong if you can’t. I suggest
you take some time and check out this
link to the Linksys site. It will give you all the background
information you need to begin the process of setting up your
router.
Step Two: The
Gear
You’ll need a few things before you can go
online. Everyone will need a Network
Adaptor for starters. You shouldn’t have to pay more
than $39.99 for it, but try to find it cheaper if you can.
Now, what you need after that depends on what sort of
situation you are in. This guide will be for the most common
set-up, which is for the owner of one computer, with a
broadband connection, and a single, external DSL/Cable modem
that must be shared with the PS2. If this applies to you, than
you will need to set up a little home network
between your PC and your PS2 using a router.
A router will allow you to essentially split one internet
connection between a number of devices, usually without
needing to go through the trouble of obtaining additional IP
addresses from your ISP,
which usually main extra monthly fees.
Ok, so you’ve figured out that you need a
router, but what would be best for you? You’ve never done
this before; you have no idea what to look for in a router.
Well, I have and I do, and I’m here to tell you that the NetGear
RP614 cable/DSL Web Safe router gateway is the best router
for your situation. It’s one of the most popular routers out
there, it’s fast, it’s cheap, it’s stylish, and it’s
got one of the most simple set-up processes in the history of
networking. It has the performance that an expert seeks with
the usability of a novice machine. You can pick one up for a
song at Comp-U-Plus.
While you’re there you should also grab enough cable to
reach from your PC to wherever your Playstation 2 is. If you
don’t feel like pulling out the tape measure you can just
buy a 50
or 100-foot
roll of Category
5 E patch cable. If you’re unsure about buying from
Comp-U-Pus, don’t be. I’ve made a few dozen purchases from
those guys over the past few years, building my entire PC from
the ground up from parts they supplied, and have had nothing
but the best service, the lowest prices, a the fastest
shipping each time. I fully endorse them.
Anyway, you don’t have to use a NetGear
RP614, but it will be easier to follow this guide if you do,
since it was done with one. You can, however, get the basic
feel for how to set-up a router and configure your network,
and follow along as best you can, making changes as needed by
your unique situation.
Step Three:
The Set-Up
Part One: The Router
Picture 1:
NetGear RP614 and Cat 5E Cable
Right now you should have all of the
following:
- PC
- External Modem
- PS2
- PS2
Network Adaptor
- NetGear RP614
- Length of Category 5E Patch Cable
You should be all set to take the first
step, which is setting up your router. First, take everything
out of the box. It should all look like this:
Picture 2: From top left to bottom right:
Ethernet cable, router, A/C adaptor, instructions and CD-Rom,
Velcro strap, vertical stand.
Now, take a few minutes to look through the
instruction manual. I know that some of you out there hate
manuals and just like to dig right in and start putting stuff
together, but you don’t want to do something wrong and break
your shiny new router, now would you? If you think you need a
little extra information, try watching the visual installation
guide present on the accompanying CD-Rom.
After you are done with your little reading
assignment go to the back of your PC, location the network
card, and remove the Ethernet cable connecting it to your
modem. You don’t even have to turn your PC or modem off for
this unless you absolutely have to. Anyway, place your router
within reach of the newly disconnected patch cable and use it
to connect your modem to your router.
Picture 3: Connection from Internet to Router
Your connection should now go: Main
Internet Connection -> Modem
-> Router.
Now, unwrap the cable that came along with
your NetGear and attach that from one of the four open ports
in the back of the router to your PC’s network card (where
you just took the other cable out from, silly). Your
connection should now go: Main Internet
Connection -> Modem
-> Router ->
PC.
Picture
4: Use any of the other four ports to
connect to the back of your PC.
Ok, your almost done with the physical set
up of your router. All you have to do to complete the job is
to connect the A/C adaptor to the back of your router, stick
it in the nearest outlet, and wait for the little checkmark
light to go off. If the power symbol, the Internet symbol, and
the number of the port your PC’s connected to are all lit,
it means you have an Internet connection and that everything
seems to be in working order. That wasn’t so hard, now was
it?
Picture
5: Using the vertical stand makes it
even more appropriate for use with the PS2.
Changing your PC’s network settings to
work with the new router is the next step, and thanks to the
user-friendly RP614 it practically does it all on it’s own.
The Smart Wizard can automatically detect your configuration
and set everything correct for you with a single button press.
You can also follow the detailed instructions in the printed
manual, on the CD-Rom, or within the Smart Wizard if you want
to do it manually, or if you need to alter any of the
"Advanced" settings. Chances are if you do need to
configure your router to host an FTP server or online games
than you already know enough about network settings to change
those settings without my humble assistance.
When it seems like all your settings are
correct that means it’s time to test out your connect. I
suggest that you try checking your e-mail, using a
web-browser, running and instant messenger, using a
file-sharing service, playing an online game, or any of the
other online activities you do on a daily basis. If it works
then that means you are finished setting up your router. One
last suggestion before moving on is to go over to DSL
Reports or CNET
and test your bandwidth. Compare it to your normal downstream
and see if you sacrificed any speed during installation. If
you haven’t, pat yourself on the back and move on to the
next phase of installation: Connecting Your PS2 To It All.
Part One
Complete:
Approximate
Completion Time – 18 minutes.
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