Network Basics

The following section provides some simple and basic information about computer networks.

A Simple Windows peer-to-peer network.

To create a peer-to-peer network you need two components, the network hardware and the network software. Fortunately Windows already contains all the network software you will need to get started. Windows is able to share and connect to drives and folders (directories) across a LAN. The instructions for doing this are simple!

Some Basic Info about Network Hardware.

The first thing you must do is physically connect your computers into a network. If you don't already have them, install a network card into each of your computers that you wish to network. Then connect those computer network cards using the appropriate wiring.

There are two basic types of network wiring schemes. The wiring schemes are usually referenced by the type of Network Interface Cards (NIC) used. They are referred to as 10Base2 (AKA: 'Thin-Net') and 10BaseT. The 10 refers to the network bandwidth or speed of 10 Megabits Per Seconds. You may also see references to 100Base2 or 100BaseT. These are, as the name would suggest 100 Megabits per Second (or faster) network cards. See Network Performance for more discussion regarding system speed and performance. Network wiring schemes may also deploy a combination of these two basic types.

10Base2 This type of network card utilizes a coaxial BNC type (Barrel) connector on the back of the card. Attached to this BNC connector is 'T' connector that permits the NIC to be inserted into a length of coaxial cable (typically RG58U type). At each end of the coaxial cable is a special connector called a 'terminator'. This is basically a 50ohm resistor inside a connector that will fit on to the end of the cable. Multiple machines can be connected into this length of cable, which then physically connects all the machines. It is important to note that the coaxial cable is lineal and all the computes should be connected along this one line of cable.

PRO: Easy to install, for a few machines.

CON: Connections are lineal, and snaking the cable around the office or building is sometime difficult. Additionally if the cable breaks the network fails.

10BaseT This wiring scheme uses standard 4 wire, twisted pair, non-shielded telephone wire. A modular RJ45 plug is crimped onto the ends of the wire. This wiring scheme utilizes a piece of equipment called a 'HUB'. Hubs can range widely in price depending on their features, but a basic hub can be obtained for under $100. The other end of the wire plugs into the hub. When two or more computers are plugged into the hub they can communicate with one another.

PRO: This wiring scheme can be desirable because you can often use 'extra' existing phone wiring in your building. Also many Hubs isolate failures so if a wire between a computer and the hub fails, the other computers connected to that hub are still 'live'.

CON: Requires the purchase of one or more Hubs.

* Many Hubs allow you to attach a 10Base2 (Thin Net) coaxial cable to them as well as the 10BaseT wires. This permits the two different wiring schemes to co-exist in one network.

Basic Info. About Network Software.

In order for computers to communicate across a network you must have a network communication protocol loaded in your computer. The network protocol is simply the handshaking scheme utilize by the computer to 'talk' to each other. There are several different network protocols and a computer can have more than one protocol configured and in use, however we tend to recommend the Transfer Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). After you have installed the NIC in your computer, you should restart your computer. When you do Windows will likely detect that the card is present and prompt you to configure the card and load a network protocol. Be sure to load the same protocols on each of the computers you are networking

Once this is done your computers should be able to communicate through the network.

Once these steps are completed you will need to decide where your CrimeStar data files are going to be placed. Then you must share that drive or directory folder where the files are located.

You can choose to share an entire drive or simply a folder within that drive.

Sharing an Entire Drive: To share an entire drive, simply double-click My Computer on your desktop, then select the drive you wish to share. Click the right mouse button, and select the Sharing option. You'll see the Sharing dialog box. Choose a name that you'd like to share the drive as, and enter any comments about the drive (comments show up next to a shared resource when others connect to your computer).

Next, choose the type of access you'd like to allow to remote users.

Read-Only access means that remote users can only read the information on the drive - they cannot change or delete any files.

Full Access gives remote users the ability to delete files and/or directories, make new files and/or directories, and rename files and/or directories.

Depends on Password permits a combination of access capabilities. Choose and fill in passwords for the different types of connections. If you enter a password, remote users will be prompted for a password when they attempt to connect to your drive. If you enter no password, remote users need only connect to the shared device, and they will have access. Press OK and Windows will prompt you to confirm your password(s).

Your drive will then be shared (it will display a little open hand under the drive icon in My Computer).

Now, your drive or folder is ready to be used by others on the network.

Sharing a Folder on a Drive :Sharing a folder is identical to sharing an entire drive, except that you select a folder icon before pressing the right mouse button, selecting the Sharing option, etc. If you share a drive and share a folder on the drive, both will be displayed as shared resources when remote users connect to your machine.

Once the appropriate drive or folder has been shared, you must go to the other machines on the network and "point" to that shared drive or folder by "Mapping" a network drive. Mapping a drive makes a remote drive appear local to the computer.

Select My Computer on the desktop and press the right mouse button. Select the Map Network Drive option. You'll receive a dialog box that lets you choose which drive letter to assign and a text box for the address of the remote resource. If you select the Reconnect at logon option, Windows will attempt to re-establish a connection and assign the same drive letter to this resource the next time you logon.

Press OK and the connection will be made. The drive is now accessible by any DOS or Windows application! To disconnect from the mapped drive, simply choose Disconnect Network Drive when you right-click on My Computer.