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Connecting a Simple Network
7
Connecting a Simple Network
Connecting multiple computers in your home or office via a network
switch lets you cooperate, collaborate, and make the most of your
hardware. You can share files and printers and even access the
Internet from every computer in your network.
While networking was once a complicated matter, Windows 95, 98
and later versions, along with hardware and software like Belkin
networking products have made networking very easy to do. The
following section of this manual will help you set up a simple
network in your home or office. If you are connecting to a larger
existing network, it is recommended that you consult your network
administrator (the person who originally set up the network) for
instruction on how to connect additional computers to the network.
Connecting three or more computers
To connect your network you will need a network switch or hub with
enough ports for the number of computers you intend to connect
immediately or in the near future. (The F5D5130-5 provides five ports
and the F5D5130-8 provides eight ports.) Although hubs and
switches perform the same function, they do so at different rates of
performance, efficiency, and speed.
While a hub transmits information to all PCs on your network, a
switch is a "Smart Hub" that features a store-and-forward function.
This function retains the originator’s IP address and transmits
information to the specified PC rather than over the entire network.
Less network traffic and the elimination of the time needed to process
information sent to unintended recipients means minimal data
collisions and data loss.