Welcome to Computer Networking

This page has been designed as a fact sheet to take you through the various options for
networking and to explain some of the terminology so you understand better the services
we can offer together with 4 standard installation scenarios. You can read through the
document, or use the menu on the left of the screen to jump to a relevant section.

For organisations, schools, studios and companies requiring full trunking and installation
of networks please choose from the following 3 options.

• computer networks (full trunking installation)
• computer networks for media applications
• audio / visual systems

Networking and internet connection sharing

Until fairly recently, networks were seldom to be found outside a business environment.
However, with ever- increasing numbers of households owning two or more computers and
a single Broadband Internet connection, home networks are increasing in popularity.

We can assist with setting up and fault diagnosis of networks and internet connections for
both home users and small to medium-sized businesses. Whether you are setting up a home
network for the first time or have an existing network, we will be pleased to offer our expertise
at a realistic price.

Networking and internet connection sharing fact sheet

What is Networking?

A network is simply a set of machines that can all talk to each other. For example, networked
machines can share files, share folders, print to printers attached to other machines on the
network and even synchronise and back-up data between machines. etc.

There are two basic categories of network:

• a Local Area Network (LAN)
• a Wide Area Network (WAN)

A Local Area Network (LAN) is generally regarded as a network that is self contained -
most likely all the machines are in one building.

A WAN is an open network - there are no geographical boundaries. The Internet is an
example of a WAN (it is the widest network of them all).

What is Internet Connection Sharing?

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) means what it says. The idea is that several machines
connected to a network (a LAN) can all share a single Internet connection.

For example, imagine you have a single machine attached to your ADSL (Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line) / Cable modem. At the moment everything is fine, you can surf the Internet
from your machine. However, what if you bring your laptop home from work, or perhaps you buy
a second PC and you want to access the Internet from it? ICS is simply a mechanism where
any of your machines can share the single Internet connection.

What is Wireless Networking?

On a "normal" network, computers are connected by cables. These cables are referred to as
CAT-5 (category 5) cables. The cables plug into a network interface card (called an Ethernet
card) on each computer.

While this has been the de-facto standard way to connect machines for some time, a new standard
(wireless networking) is emerging. Instead of using CAT-5 cables and Ethernet cards, a wireless
network card is installed into each computer. There are no cables - the computers communicate by radio.

Wireless networking has a wide range - <60 metres, and is suitable for home users and small to
medium sized businesses who don't want unsightly cabling between computers or the expense of
having a fully installed network in cable trunking.

What are the Essential Components of a Network with Internet Connection Sharing?

• Internet Connection - this is your broadband DSL/Cable modem
• Router/Gateway - this directly connects to the modem, and allows other computers on the
  internal network to attach to it. It is possible to use an existing computer as a "router" (using
  Internet Connection Sharing software), or alternatively you can use a dedicated hardware router
  - which is generally the preferred option.
• Network Interface Card - each computer needs at least one card. If one of the computers is
  being used as a router then that machine will need 2 cards (one to connect to the broadband
  modem, and the other to connect to the internal network).
• Hub - a hub allows multiple machines to connect to the network. Basically all the machines
  "plug-in" to the hub and they can all talk to each other. A hub is used when there are many
  (2 or more) computers on the local network.
• Firewall - a firewall prevents unauthorised users connecting to your network from the Internet,
  and also can prevent unauthorised access to the Internet (or to certain sites on the Internet)
  from a machine on your network. If you have a broadband Internet connection, Musical Cocktails
  strongly advises that you consider installing a Firewall. Without one, you entire network is
  potentially open to malicious attack.
• Switch - a switch is a variation on a hub that allows for more efficient data transfer. For this
  reason, switches are generally more expensive than hubs. A switch is not normally required
  on small networks, but may be where there are large volumes of data passing between
  machines, or where there are many machines on the LAN.
• A lot of modern machines come with Ethernet capability. However, at the present time it is
  rare to find a desktop machine that comes with a "wireless capable" card built in.
• While it is possible to use the USB (Universal Serial Bus) to network machines together and
  even (in some cases) to connect to the broadband modem, Musical Cocktails do not generally
  recommend this approach. Please refer to the summary below for more information regarding USB.
• Note that most hardware routers have an in-built hub - so a dedicated hub need not always
  form part of a network.

Firewalls

A firewall works by closing ports that are not being used on your network. For home users, this is
normally every port. For business users, some ports may need to be open (for web servers etc).
Most firewalls stop all inbound traffic unless you explicity "open" ports. This provides an extremely
secure way of safeguarding your network from attack.

While there is firewall software available, in almost every case Musical Cocktails recommend that
you use a dedicated hardware firewall. This ensures that your computer is running at maximum
capacity rather than being tied up blocking unauthorised network traffic, and isolates you (to a
degree) from any bugs in the firewall software itself.

Please note that most of the routers that we recommend to our customers have inbuilt firewall
software. Therefore there is often no need to purchase an extra firewall.

How should I set up my LAN for Internet Connection Sharing?

There are several different approaches you can use when you want to set up a LAN with a
shared Internet connection. The choice depends broadly on the following factors:

• How many computers do you intend to share the connection?
• How far apart are they?
• Do you mind having cables running between the computers, or would you prefer no cabling?
• How much load will the Internet connection be under? For example, will every machine be
  streaming huge video files from the connection (e.g. watching "Big Brother" online), or are
  you just browsing a few web sites now and again?
• How important is future proofing to you? (that is, how concerned are you about making sure
  that your LAN will accommodate new machines as and when you buy them?)
• How much money do you want to spend?

Installation Options

In this section we walk you through various options, advising on the pros and cons of each, in
addition to giving some indication of cost breakdowns and general background information. The
information here should provide you with the knowledge necessary to determine which option is
most suitable for your environment.

Please bear in mind that the options below are not the only ones available, nor are they set in
stone. Our experience has shown that generally people setting up small networks fit into one of
the categories below. However, Musical Cocktails tailors each installation to the customer's
specific requirements so if you don't fit into a category, don't worry.

Please contact us if you have a question that is not covered in this fact sheet.

Note that the prices given in this section are not quotations. They are merely provided to give
you an idea of the sort of cost involved in any particular option:

• Option 1 - The simplest/cheapest wired network
• Option 2 - The simplest/cheapest wireless network
• Option 3 - An expandable wired network
• Option 4 - An expandable wireless network

Option 1 - The simplest / cheapest wired network

Prerequisites:

• You have only two computers (one of which must be running Windows 98 second edition,
  Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP and must be situated near to the broadband
  modem)
• You don't want to spend much money

Musical Cocktails will:

• Install Internet connection sharing software on one of the machines and connect it to the
  broadband modem
• Configure the other machine to share the internet connection provided by the machine above.

Required Hardware:

• 2 Ethernet cards for the "sharing" machine
• 1 Ethernet card for the other machine
• CAT-5 cable to run between the machines

Service Charges:

• £55 per hour. - The set-up of the software and configuration of the network will take approximately
  2 hours. However, installation of the CAT-5 cable may take longer, depending on the distance
  between the two machines. If the machines are in different rooms and cabling is required to be
  invisible then we would carry out a site survey prior to taking on this work.

Advantages:

• The most cost effective option for a wired solution

Disadvantages:

• The "sharing" machine must be on for the other machine to access the Internet.
• If large volumes of data are transferred, users may notice a loss of performance on the sharing machine.
• To add more machines to the network requires additional hardware (e.g. a hub or a dedicated router).
• The cost of installing the cable can form a substantial part of the final bill.
  This cost is reduced if you fit the cable yourself - Musical Cocktails will then just
  terminate the ends and there will be no service charge for cabling.
• We will be pleased to advise on and supply the CAT-5 cable should you wish to fit it.

Option 2 - The simplest / cheapest wireless network

Prerequisites:

• You have only two computers (one of which must be running Windows 98 second edition/
  ME/2000/XP and must be situated near to the broadband modem)
• You don't want to spend much money
• You don't want cables running between the computers

Musical Cocktails will:

• Install some Internet Connection sharing software on one of the computers and connect it to
  the broadband modem.
• Configure the other machine to share the internet connection provided by the machine above

Required Hardware:

• 1 Ethernet card for the "sharing" machine - connects to the broadband modem.
• 2 Wireless cards - to connect the two computers.

Service Charges:

• £55 per hour. - The set-up of the software and configuration of the network will take approximately
  2 hours.

Advantages:

• The most cost effective option for a wireless solution
• No cables running between the machines

Disadvantages:

• The "sharing" machine must be on for the other machine to access the Internet.
• If large volumes of data are transferred, users may notice a loss of performance on the sharing machine.
• To add more machines to the network requires additional hardware (e.g. a hub or a dedicated router).

Option 3 - An expandable network

Prerequisites:

• You have two or more computers that you would like to connect to the network.

Musical Cocktails Will:

• Install and configure a dedicated hardware router enabling sharing of your internet connection.
• Configure all the computers to share the internet connection provided by the router.

Required Hardware:

• 4-Port Gateway/Router.
• This router will support up to 4 computers. Routers are available that support many more,
  please contact us for details.
• Ethernet card per computer
• CAT-5 cable to run between the machines

Service Charge:

• £55 per hour. - The set-up of the software and configuration of the network will take approximately
  2½ to 3 hours for a 2-4 machine network (slightly longer if there are more computers). Bear in
  mind that it may take extra time to run the CAT-5 cable between the computers. If the machines
  are in different rooms and cabling is required to be invisible or in trunking then we would carry
  out a site survey prior to taking on this work.

Advantages:

• Future-Proof network - you can connect up to four computers with the 4-port gateway, and by
  purchasing an additional hub or using a bigger router (depending on your specific situation) you
  can connect many more machines in the future.
• There is no loss of performance on any of the computers as there is a dedicated router, which
  takes care of the Internet traffic.

Disadvantages:

• If there are many machines to connect, or if they are some distance apart then the cost of laying
  the CAT-5 cable can be a significant proportion of the final bill. In addition, having cable running
  through the building is not always a customer's preferred choice!
• Again, you can opt to take on the cable laying yourself - which will reduce the bill. If you choose to
  do so, Musical Cocktails will be pleased to advise on and supply the CAT-5 cable.

Option 4 - An expandable wireless network

Prerequisites:

• You have two or more computers that you would like to connect to the network.
• You want to use a wireless connection - which will eliminate the need for running CAT-5 cable
  throughout the building.

Musical Cocktails Will:

• Install and configure a dedicated hardware wireless router enabling sharing of your internet
  connection.
• Configure all the computers to share the internet connection provided by the router.

Required Hardware:

• 4-Port wireless Gateway/Router.
• This router will support up to 4 machines using CAT-5 cable, and around 200 using wireless
  network cards!
• Wireless card per computer

Service Charge:

• £55 per hour. - The set-up of the software and configuration of the network will take approximately
  2½ to 3 hours for a 2-4 machine network (slightly longer if there are more computers).

Advantages:

• Future-Proof network - you can connect many computers using wireless cards, as well as
  connecting up to four using CAT-5 cable.
• There is no loss of performance on any of the computers as there is a dedicated router, which
  takes care of the Internet traffic.
• There is no cable running throughout the building

Disadvantages:

• The only real disadvantage of the wireless approach is that wireless networks cannot transfer
  data as fast as networks using Ethernet. However, as they are both very much quicker than your
  connection to the Internet it is largely irrelevant.
• For example even if you have a 1Mb/s connection to the Internet, your standard wireless network
  is running at 11 times that speed! So unless you intend to transfer vast quantities of data between
  the computers on your LAN, the speed of the network will not be an issue.

Summary

In general, unless you are prepared to run the network cabling yourself, a wireless network is not
significantly more expensive than an "Ethernet" network. In most home and small business cases,
Musical Cocktails recommends using a wireless network for its general simplicity and flexibility -
for example you can surf the internet from a laptop on your patio! Musical Cocktails recommend the
use of a dedicated router - even though it is not the cheapest option. This is simply because:

• If you don't use one, then the computer acting as a router needs to be on whenever anyone
  wants to access the Internet
• The computer acting as a router may well run slowly - especially if there is a lot of Internet traffic.
• Musical Cocktails recommends using Ethernet (TCP/IP) instead of USB where possible
• USB is not supported by all Operating Systems. In particular some versions of Microsoft
  Windows do not support USB.
• USB is not supported by all computer BIOS's
• USB is generally slower than Ethernet
• USB devices are not always correctly recognised by the Operating System.
• In our experience, USB is less reliable/stable than its Ethernet equivalent.

Musical Cocktails estimates that the installation of networking hardware and software (excluding the
running of CAT-5 cable) and setting up a small (2-4 computer) network to share a single broadband
Internet connection will take approximately 2½ - 3 hours. We are therefore happy to offer a fixed
price to carry out the work based on this premise. Please contact us for more details

For any Media intensive applications eg. Audio/Video studios we recommend a fast cabled network,
please contact us to discuss your requirements