What Is A Network?

Once, networks were the realm of computer buffs and businesses -- most home-users either didn't need, or couldn't afford, more than one computer. But now, in addition to using computers for e-mail, people use them for schoolwork, shopping, instant messaging, downloading music and videos, organising photos, home publishing and playing games. For many households, one computer is simply no longer enough to go around. And when you have multiple computers, a home network often becomes a necessity rather than a technical toy.

A network is simply a method of allowing computers, and other devices, to communicate with one another. If you have two or more computers in your home, a network can let them share such things as:

• Files and documents. 
• An internet connection. 
• Printers and scanners. 
• Stereos and game systems. 

Imagine being able to sit with your laptop in the garden writing that letter, knowing that when you hit the 'Print’ button it will be able to use the network to send it to the printer in your study. And then you can call your neighbour across to show them photos that are actually stored on the PC tucked away in your basement.

There are different network types, which use different hardware, but they all have the same essential
components: 

• More than one computer.
• Hardware (such as a router) and
• Software (either built in to the operating system or as a separate application) to coordinate the exchange of information.
• A path for the information to follow from one computer to another. This path could be links by 
• cables, or wireless, or even a mixture of both.

Most modern laptops automatically have wireless capability built into them, so they can communicate with a wireless router if you have one. Other types of PC may require the purchase of a relatively cheap wireless dongle to perform the same task. Printers and game consoles also often have a built-in wireless capability. 

The setting up of a network is not beyond the ability of the average home user, as much of it can be automated. However if you need help there are plenty of outfits who will give advice and come out and set up your network for you.

Once your network is established AB Computer Training can help you make full use of it— transferring documents and photos between machines, sharing music and printing to a common printer. One internet
account can be shared by all the family—so no more squabbling between those researching homework and those researching Ebay purchases.

Networking With Your iPhone

Did you know that you can use your iPhone to wirelessly connect your PCs/laptops to the internet or to each other?


Well you can.

Go to 'Settings' and look for 'Personal Hotspot'. Tap it, and this screen will appear:

Tap 'Personal Hotspot' to turn it on.

Now Go to your laptop and look for available wireless networks. Your phone should show up as one, so click on it and join it. You will be prompted to enter a password. That's on you iPhone screen just below the 'Personal Hotspot' entry. The phone generates one for you, but you can tap on the field and create your own if you like.

And that's it. You can connect more than one machine to the phone, so if they have shared folders you can access them. And all of the machines can make use of the phone's wireless internet connection.

A warning, though - when you view websites on the phone they are often optimised for use on a phone, and use up less bandwidth than they would on a conventional computer. Obviously this will not be the case when you are viewing them on a computer connected to your phone. In addition watch out for the automatic download of updates to your computer(s). Both of these could seriously eat into your phones bandwidth allowance.

However in an emergency it gives you a useful way to network computers and access the internet.

(Here in the office we tried to add our printer to the network as well, but the phone rejected it. If we manage to work out how to do it we'll let you know.)