Network Hardware
 
Workstations
 
Introduction
As introduced in the previous lesson, in a network, computers and
optional other devices are connected to share resources. When a
computer or device A is requesting a resource from another computer or
device B, the item A is referred to as a client. Because all or most items
that are part of a network live in association or cooperation, almost any
one of them can be referred to as a client. Based on this, there can be
different types of clients. The most regularly used of them is referred to as
a workstation.

As its name implies, a workstation is a computer on which a person performs everyday regular
assignments. A workstation is primarily a personal computer (PC). It can also be a laptop. You
have probably used PCs so far. Almost any modern PC can be used as a workstation and
participate on a network.

Before building a computer network, when planning the workstations, you may be in one of the
following scenarios.
Using New Computers  
If you haven't bought the computer(s) but are planning to, refer to our section on purchasing
or acquiring new computers in the Lesson 4.

Using Existing Computers

If you already have one or more computers that you plan to use as workstations, you can start
by checking the hardware parts installed in the computer. The computer must meet the
following requirements:

 Processor: An Intel Pentium or Celeron family of processors or an AMD

K6/Athlon/Duron family of processors. The processor should have a 300 megahertz
clock speed. A higher speed is recommended.
To check the speed of the processor of a computer, you have many alternatives:
 
o When the computer starts, you can access its BIOS by pressing F2 or
F8 depending on the computer, the model or the manufacturer
o From the computer's desktop, if it's running Windows 95 and later,
you can right-click My Computer and click Properties
o You can open Control Panel and double-click System
 With these two previous options, you can see the processor's speed in the
Computer section of the General property page.

As another alternative to check the computer's processor, from Control Panel, you
can double-click System, click the Hardware tab, and click Device Manager. In the
Device Manager window, expand the Processors node and double-click the first
node under Processors. Here is an example:

 In most cases, if your computer is running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, it should be

ready for Windows XP Professional. If the computer is running another operating system but it
appears to be too slow, you can replace its processor with a faster one. Before replacing a
processor, you must first find out what type of processor your computer use. You cannot just
replace any processor for another. To know the type of processor your computer uses, you have
three options:
o You can check the documentation (manual or user guide) that came
with your computer. A page in it should describe the type of processor your
computer is using. You can write it down and, when you go to
a computer store or to a web store and use this description to purchase a
new one. You can purchase a new processor from a computer store or from
one of the following web sites:
 
http://www
.tigerdirect.c
om
 http://www
.bestbuy.co
m
http://www
.compusa.co
m
o You can open the computer. In this case, remove the processor. Take
it to a computer store and tell the sales people that you want a faster
processor
o You can call the manufacturer of your computer. They will ask the
serial number or the make/model. They will tell you the type of processor
installed in it. You can also tell them that you want to purchase a faster
processor
 
If you purchase or acquire a processor, it is usually easy to install and it comes with
easy-to-follow instructions. You will need to open the computer. It may be a good idea
to take it to a computer store or a computer repair shop and have them replace the
processor for you
 RAM: The computer must have a memory of at least 64 megabytes (MB). As memory
is not particularly expensive nowadays, you should upgrade the computer's memory to
at least 512MB
To check the amount of RAM your computer has:
 

o When the computer starts, you can access its BIOS by pressing F2 or
F8 depending on the computer, the model or the manufacturer
o From the desktop of a Windows 95 and later computer,  you can right-
click My Computer and click Properties
o You can open Control Panel and double-click System
Any of these two options would show the computer's memory in the General  property page
under the Computer section. Here is an example:
  
If your computer doesn't have enough memory, you can increase it. Like a processor, different
computers use different types of memory. Before changing or increasing the memory of your
computer, you should find out what type it takes. As mentioned for the processor, you can get
this information by consulting the manual it came with, by opening the computer, or by calling
the manufacturer.
Computer memory has not been very expensive lately. You can purchase the one appropriate for
your computer from a computer, from the manufacturer of your computer, or from a web store.
Once you get the memory, you can open the computer and insert the new memory in the
sockets next to the existing memory
 Hard Drive: Before installing Microsoft Windows XP Professional on an existing
computer, make sure the hard drive has the appropriate capacity to handle the OS. To
find out how much space your hard drive has, you can open Windows Explorer or My
Computer, right-click the C:\ drive and click Properties. Here is an example:
 
 The computer may have more than one drive or many partitions. Here is an example:
  
In this case, you can check the drive or partition you intend to use to install the new operating
system.

The hard drive or the partition you intend to use should have at least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of
available hard disk space

 Video: The computer should have Super VGA video adapter and be able to handle at
least an 800 x 600 or higher-resolution.
To check the current video resolution of your computer, right-click the desktop and
click Properties. You can also open Control Panel and double-click Display. In the
Display Properties, click Settings:
 
 To check the video adapter of your computer, click Advanced and click the Adapter tab. Here is
an example:
 
Using Barebone Computers
A computer is referred to as "barebone" if it's built almost from scratch by assembling its parts.
You can build your own computer or you can purchase one. You can purchase or acquire a
computer with all parts or only some parts. To get this type of computers:

 You can go to one of those small computer stores on major streets, describe to them what
you want. They would get the parts together and assemble them for you
 You can shop in a web store such as http://www.tigerdirect.com and click the
"Barebone" link
 You can investigate how to build a computer from scratch, purchase the parts one by one,
and assemble them yourself

You may have a computer without an operating system. For example, you might have
formatted the hard drive or you might have created two or more partitions on the hard drive
and (may be intentionally) loose the operating system. You may plan to use such a computer as
a workstation.

Whether you build your own computer or use one without an operating system, before installing
Microsoft Windows XP Professional, make sure the computer meets these hardware
requirements:

 A processor with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233
MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron
family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may
limit performance and some features)
 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space
 Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter
 CD-ROM or DVD drive
 As many USB ports as possible
 Mouse and Keyboard ports

Because building a barebone depends on your goals, we will not review here the parts to
acquire or the steps performed.

 
Laptop or Notebook Computers
Because of their flexibility and requirements of users commute, laptops are the prime
candidates of a network. If you plan to purchase one or more, refer to our section
on purchasing or acquiring new computers in the Lesson 4.

Computer Accessories and Peripherals

 
Keyboard and Mouse
 When using a computer, there are different ways you can control it. The primary accessories
used to perform routine operations are the keyboard and the mouse. If you haven't bought the
computer(s) but are planning to, refer to our section on purchasing or acquiring new
computers in the Lesson 4. If you are using an existing computer for your network and if
either the mouse, the keyboard, or both of these items are missing or not functioning, you
should get or replace the failing one.

If you are building your own computer or are acquiring a barebone, make sure you purchase a
keyboard and a mouse for the computer.

There are two main ways you install a keyboard or a mouse. If the item is supplied to you with
a PS/2 port, connect the end of its cable to the appropriate port, usually in the back of the
computer. Many items nowadays are meant to connect to a USB port. In this case, you should
be able to connect the end cable of the item to any USB port on your computer.

There are also wireless keyboards and mice. If you purchase them, they come with easy-to-
follow instructions to install and configure them. Our advice is that you still should always have
a PS/2 keyboard and mouse with you.

Monitors
A monitor is a display that a user looks at when performing daily assignments. You can buy a
monitor from a computer store or from a web store. When purchasing a monitor, keep in mind
that users may stare at it all day long. You should put as much care as possible when acquiring
one.

If you haven't bought the computer(s) and monitors, you can refer to our section
onpurchasing or acquiring new computers in the Lesson 4.

If you are using an existing computer, it may have a monitor attached to it already. You can
still replace it if you want.

If you are using a barebone computer, make sure you purchase a monitor and attach it to it. It
is usually easy to connect a monitor to a computer. It uses a unique connector usually in the
back of the computer.

Printers
If you want your users to be able to print, you can use an existing printer or purchase a new
one. The simplest printers will be attached to one computer and "shared" to allow other
computers to access it.

 
Network Distribution
 
Introduction
Building a network consists partly of connecting the computers as we saw in Lesson 1:
 One way to do this is to use cables.

 
Network Cables
Cable is used to connect computers. Although we are planning to use as much wireless as possible, y
have one or more cables around. In our network, we will use Category 5 cable RJ-45. The ends of the
follows:

They can be in different colors:

 You can purchase this cable from a web store on the Internet. Probably the fastest way to get this ca
computer store. When purchasing it, get something with at least 6ft.

Introduction to Network Distributors

In our introduction to networks, We mentioned that you could connect one computer to another. This c
their serial ports:

This is possible because almost every computer has a serial port. If you have to connect many compu
network, this serial connection would not be practical. The solution is to use a central object that the com
resources can connect to, and then this object becomes responsible to “distribute” or manage network tra

The most regularly used types of network distributors are the hub, the router, and the switch.

Hub
A hub is rectangular box that is used as the central object on which computers and other devices are con
this possible, a hub is equipped with small holes called ports. Here is an example of a hub:
 Although this appears with 4 ports, depending on its type, a hub can be equipped with 4, 5, 12, or more
example of a hub with 8 ports:

When configuring it, you connect an RJ-45 cable from the network card of a computer to one port of the

In most cases for a home-based or a small business network, you may not need a hub.

Routers: Wired or Wireless

Like a hub, a router is another type of device that acts as the central point among computers and other
part of a network. Here is an example of a wired router:

A router functions a little differently than a hub. In fact, a router can be considered a little "intelligent" th

Like a hub, the computers and other devices are connected to a router using network cables. To mak
router is equipped with holes, called ports, in the back. Here is an example:

Based on advances in the previous years from IEEE and other organizations or research companies, t
 routers. With this type, the computers and devices connect to the router using microwaves (no physical c

In our (small) network, we wish to use a wireless router. Therefore, this is the kind we suggest you p
purchase a wireless router from a computer store or on
(http://www.tigerdirect.com, http://www.3com.com, http://www.provantage.com, etc). You
wireless router from a computer store.

Wired Network Cards

In order to connect to a network, a computer must be equipped with a device called a network card. A n
network adapter, also called a network interface card, or NIC, allows a computer to connect to the exte
computer from one of those popular stores or big companies on the Internet, most of their computers
card tested and already. You can reliably use it. If you go to a store that sells or manufactures compu
them to install or make sure that the computer has a network card.

If you have a computer that doesn’t have a network card, you can install one. If you have a computer t
network card, you can still replace it.

When it comes to their installation, there are roughly two categories of network cards: internal and ext
network card looks like a printed circuit board with some objects "attached" or "glued" to it and it appear

What this card looks like may not be particularly important and it may depend on the manufacturer
aspects particularly are. To start, there are two types of cards and you should know which one is suited (
want to use) for your computer. One type of NICs uses a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) con
type uses industry standard architecture (ISA).

There are two primary ways you replace a network card. In most cases, you will remove the card your
has and install a new one. In some other cases, you will only add a new card but you cannot replace
because it is part of the motherboard (I have found that out lately when opening a few computers for my
aware of that)). The area where you add a network card is called a slot.

To proceed, you must find out what your computer has to offer when it comes to network cards. To d
three main alternatives.  You can open the computer and examine the available slots of your computer.
located inside of what would be considered as the back (wall) of the computer (if you know where
monitor, you should be able to locate the area that has the slots. Unfortunately, unless you have exp
simply looking at the slots will not tell you what type of connection you are dealing with.

The second alternative is to open the manual that came with you computer (provided you haven’t thro
manual usually lists the (types of) slots that your computer provides and where they are located.

The last alternative to knowing the types of slots that your computer provides is to contact the company
computer. They usually know, provided you can get a human being on the phone, as long as you give th
 the computer.

Once you know the type of slot available to you, you can go on the Internet or to a computer s
appropriate network card. One of the most important characteristics of a network card is the speed it
information. The speeds are either 10 or 100Mbps (megabits per second). When buying a network card
attention to this.

Here are some suggested links where you can buy computer products:

http://www.provantage.com
http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.cdw.com

Your computer manufacturer also may sell network cards intended for your computer.

After buying a network card intended for internal installation, you can/must install it. The network card
a manual and all (easy to follow) instructions. You can also install the network card after setting up the
we will cover in Lesson 4.

We mentioned that a network card could also be used or installed externally. This can be done using US
can go to a computer store or find a web site that sells them. The device you buy may look like this:

Here is another example:

 If you buy one of these objects, its documentation will guide you.

Wireless Network Cards

Depending on your network budget or your customer's, instead of using wired network cards, you can u
A wireless NIC appears as its wired counterpart. Here are two examples:

Overall, the physical installation of a wireless network card follows the same rules as that of a wired NI
come with easy to follow instructions but it may be a good idea to install the wireless network adapters a
wireless router. Also, it may be a good idea to purchase the network cards and the wireless route
manufacturer.

Most desktop computers (workstations) come without a wireless network card. If you purchase a comp
the big companies on the Internet, you can choose to have it shipped with a wireless NIC. Some compan
to install it before shipping the computer. If you buy a computer from a store and if you want to use wir
you can buy a wireless network card separately. As stated already, a wireless network card is not parti
install.

Besides the wireless network cards that can be installed inside the computer, you can use external
installed using a USB port. Here is an example of a USB adapter:
 Here is another example:

These adapters, like most USB objects, are easy to connect and use. Like the other hardware parts, w
these, the computer detects them and helps you get them ready for use.

Unlike desktop computers, most laptops nowadays come equipped with a wireless network card (in f
today ship with both a wired and a wireless adapters). This means that, after purchasing or acquiring a la
simply check whether it has a wireless adapter. The way you check this depends on the laptop. The
documentation. If your laptop happens not to a have a wireless adapter and you want to use one, yo
options. The classic style of adapter appears as the following two examples:

This adapter is inserted on a side of the laptop. Normally, you would easily see its port as there is usuall
suited for this type of card on the laptop. As you may guess, this card can be inserted and removed at wi

Network Accessories
 
Printers
If you attach a printer to one computer and share it, when that computer is off, nobody can print. An
purchase a network printer. That is, a printer that will directly connect to the network and people can pr
There are two types of printers in this case:

 Some printers come equipped with a network card. In this case, as we will learn in Lesson 5, you ca
cable to connect it to a router or a hub
 Some printers are equipped for a parallel port. To connect them to a network, you can purchase wh
as a print server (or a Jet-Direct card). The manufacturer of the printer can sell it to you
 If you are using a wireless network, you can purchase a wireless print server. This allows you to connect
of printer, with or without a network card, to the network. You can purchase a wireless print server from
or from a web store. It is usually easy to install as it comes with easy-to-follow instructions.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that serves as the intermediary between your network
Internet. If you plan to give access to the Internet to the members of your network, you may need this
You can start by checking with your local telephone company or your local TV cable company.

Firewall
Firewall is a security measure that consists of protecting your network from intruders. This is primarily
plan to connect your network to the Internet. There are two types of firewalls: hardware and software.

For a small network, when buying a router, you can inquire as to whether it has a built-in firewall. M
Alternatively, you can use or configure one of the computers of your network