A local area network or LAN is two or more computers connected to each other directly or through a router (router) and capable of exchanging data. These networks usually cover a small office or home space and are used for general Internet connection, as well as for other purposes such as file sharing or online gaming. In this article, we will talk about how to build a local network of two computers.

As it becomes clear from the introduction, there are two ways to combine two PCs into a LAN - directly, using a cable, and through a router. Both of these options have their pros and cons. Below we will analyze them in more detail and learn how to configure the system for data exchange and Internet access.

Option 1: Direct Connection

With this connection, one of the computers acts as a gateway to connect to the Internet. This means that it must have at least two network ports. One for WAN and one for LAN. However, if the Internet is not required or it “comes” without using wires, for example, through a 3G modem, then you can get by with one LAN port.

The connection scheme is simple: the cable is plugged into the appropriate connectors on the motherboard or network card of both machines.

Please note that for our purposes we need a cable (patch cord), which is designed for direct connection of computers. This type is called a "crossover". However, modern equipment is able to independently determine pairs for receiving and transmitting data, so a regular patch cord will most likely also work fine. If problems arise, then the cable will have to be redone or found in the store, which is very difficult.

The advantages of this option include ease of connection and minimum requirements by equipment. Actually, we only need a patch cord and a network card, which in most cases is already built into motherboard. The second plus is high speed data transfer, but it depends on the capabilities of the card.

The disadvantages can be called such with a big stretch - this is a reset when reinstalling the system, as well as the inability to access the Internet when the PC is turned off, which is the gateway.

Setting

After connecting the cable, you need to configure the network on both PCs. First you need to assign a unique name to each machine in our "locale". This is necessary in order to software could find computers.

Now you need to set up general access to resources in local network, as it is limited by default. These steps also need to be performed on all machines.

1. Right-click on the connection icon in the notification area and open "Network and Internet Settings".

   

2. Let's move on to setting up sharing options.

   

3. For private network(see screenshot) enable discovery, enable file and printer sharing, and let Windows manage connections.

   

4. For the guest network, we also enable discovery and sharing.

   

5. For all networks, turn off public access, set up encryption with 128-bit keys, and turn off password access.

   

6. We save the settings.

   

In Windows 7 and 8, this block of parameters can be found like this:

1. On the first PC (the one that connects to the Internet), after going to the parameters (see above), click on the menu item "Setting adapter options".

   

2. Here we choose "LAN connection", right-click on it and go to properties.

   

3. In the list of components we find the protocol IPv4 and, in turn, go to its properties.

   

4. Switch to manual input and in the field "IP address" enter the following numbers:

   In field "Subnet mask" the correct values ​​will be automatically inserted. Nothing needs to be changed here. This completes the setup. Click OK.

   

5. On the second computer, in the protocol properties, you must specify the following IP address:

   We leave the mask by default, but in the fields for the addresses of the gateway and DNS server, specify the IP of the first PC and click OK.

   

   In the "seven" and "eight" you should go to "Network Control Center" from the notification area, and then click on the link "Change adapter settings". Further manipulations are performed according to the same scenario.

   

The final procedure is to enable internet sharing.

Now the second machine will be able to work not only in the local network, but also in the global one. If you want to exchange data between computers, you will need to perform one more configuration, but we will talk about this separately.

Option 2: Connecting through a router

For such a connection, we need, in fact, the router itself, a set of cables and, of course, the corresponding ports on the computers. The type of cables for connecting machines to a router can be called “straight”, as opposed to crossover, that is, the cores in such a wire are connected “as is”, directly (see above). Such wires with already mounted connectors can be easily found in retail.

The router has multiple connection ports. One for receiving the Internet and several for connecting computers. Distinguishing them is easy: LAN connectors (for machines) are grouped by color and numbered, and the port for the incoming signal stands alone and has a corresponding name, usually written on the case. The connection diagram in this case is also quite simple - the cable from the provider or modem is connected to the connector Internet or, on some models, Link or ADSL, and computers to ports signed as "LAN" or Ethernet.

The advantages of such a scheme are the possibility of organizing wireless network and automatic detection system settings.

If you have several desktop computers, creating a local network will be more than a practical solution. After all, to transfer funny pictures to each other, you no longer have to use flash drives, links or cloud storage. Interested? Then let's find out - how to create a network at home, spending a minimum of money and time on it.

What is a local network and why is it needed?

A local network is several independent PCs connected for fast data exchange. Using this technology, you can assemble a kind of personal server for home use or a small work office. Similar can be seen in computer clubs, offices, small businesses.

You can organize the same at home. Creating a network between computers, oddly enough, is not an impossible task, it is only important to carefully understand everything and try not to miss the key steps.

Kinds

The local network can be connected to the Internet or not, and this does not affect the operation of the network itself. And it can also contain a different number of computers connected different ways, for example, a laptop is connected wirelessly, and a stationary PC is wired. In general, a network can contain any number of machines connected in various ways.

In general, tuning methods do not differ much between different types networks and will most likely not cause you any problems, except in cases where IP addresses cannot be issued automatically and user intervention is required.

Components

To organize a network you will need:

• One or more crimped pieces of UTP cable of the required length. Since the network will be created between computers, it is necessary to compress / buy a cable specifically for the local network.
• If you plan to assemble a network of two or three computers, then as network switch you can use a router, but such a network will be slightly different.
• To create a network with one main computer and distribute the Internet, an additional network card will be required from it, since one adapter cannot simultaneously work both at reception and delivery. For these purposes, there are special dual adapters.
• Well, and, of course, two or more computers.

In addition, some components may be needed in specific cases and may not be listed. Well, let's start creating a home web.

Setting up a homegroup

First you need to give all computers on the network different names, but the same workgroup - usually WORKGROUP. You can change the settings at: My Computer/Properties/Advanced system settings/Computer name. By clicking on the "Change" button, enter the desired values.

Starting with Windows 7, such an activity as creating a network looks outrageously simple - using home group. It happens like this:

1. On the host computer, open the Network and Sharing Center. To do this, simply right-click on the Internet connection icon in the tray, select the appropriate item.
2. Select the HomeGroup link at the bottom left of the window.
3. Select "Create a homegroup" and follow the wizard's instructions. The last window will generate an automatic password that you need to remember.

If there are no errors, then the homegroup has been successfully created. Now let's connect to it from the second computer:

1. We go to the same network center.
2. Click on the join item (near the active network).
3. Follow the prompts of the wizard and enter the previously recorded password.

A full-fledged network is created, as it is ready for work. It is worth saying that there are several ways to connect a group to the Internet: through a router (having one network card), through a regular wire (having two network cards).

Creating a connection between two PCs

To create a network between two computers, as in the previous method, only one UTP cable is needed to connect the network card connectors. For the host it looks like this:

1. Open the network control center again.
2. On the network connection that is listed as inactive, right-click and go to properties.

Then to the properties of the TCP protocol. If you are using a direct computer-to-computer connection, you should switch to manual control and enter the following data:

1. IP address: 192.168.1.1.
2. Subnet mask (set automatically): 255.255.255.0.
3. Default gateway: 192.168.1.1.
4. In the DNS server settings, you can specify the Google server: 8.8.8.8 or the main gateway. This item can be skipped, since DNS is not used in the created local network.
5. In the "Access" tab, you must check the box in front of both items.

Save the settings and exit the control panel. We pass to the second computer. Here you need to enter all the same data, except for the IP address. It must be made unique, for example, 192.168.1.2.

Ready! We have set up a stable connection between two PCs. To share information, you just need to allow file sharing for all group members.

What if there are multiple computers?

To combine three or more computers, you will need a network switch - Switch. It processes network traffic and distributes it across channels. Roughly speaking, this is a rather complicated cable splitter. Some switches have a dedicated port for connecting a host computer. The scheme with the switch looks like: router-switch-computers.

Since this method is slightly different, let's look at how to create a network through Switch:

1. First, install the network card drivers if the system for some reason did not do it itself.
2. LAN connection settings will not differ from previous version. On the host computer, specify the IP - 192.168.1.1. It is important to note that this IP must be specified on the host computer, with a unit at the end. On all subsequent computers, it will be different: for the second 192.168.1.2, for the third 192.168.1.3, etc.

Now we will adjust the connection to the Internet. In most cases, the connection occurs automatically, using automatically generated IP addresses. In other situations, it may be necessary to enter data manually, after consulting with the provider.

We open access

You can open access to any files by right-clicking on them and hovering over the line "Sharing", select the desired item. You can also open access in the properties of folders in the taskbar. You can allow other users to use not only individual folders, but the entire local disk.

How to create a Wi-Fi connection?

Creation WiFi networks- a fairly practical solution if there is only a router and a bunch of laptops that need to be combined. This will help save not only on tons of cable, but also on the speed of the organization. In some aspects, creating a network via Wi-Fi is very similar to building a regular LAN, but has a number of differences:

• The only equipment required is a router and computers.
• No mess with wires.
• Can be organized even in isolated rooms.

In principle, all computers connected to the same network are already connected to each other, and only a little configuration is required:

1. In the network control center, create a new wireless connection, following the prompts of the wizard.
2. A new connection will appear that you can join using the password you set when registering the network.
3. You can open file sharing in the same window.

This completes the modeling of the home network.

Now you know how to create WiFi network between several machines using only a router and a couple of laptops or computers with Wi-Fi adapters.

By networking two computers, users can exchange information without using external devices. Data transfer over a local network is more convenient and faster than exchange via email or, for example, a flash drive. The network between two computers or between a computer and a laptop is created in the same way.

Consider the hardware part of creating the simplest peer-to-peer local network. For it, two computers equipped with a network card are enough ( network adapter, Ethernet adapter, network card). This device is necessary for communication - signal transmission between devices on the network. Desired controller may be built into the motherboard. You will find its output above one of the USB ports. Check for an updated driver. Communication lines for connecting computers in a network can be: wired, cable, radio channels. The most common and easiest way is to use a copper conductor. A more expensive conductor is fiber optic cable. Copper network cables come in various degrees of protection. To increase noise immunity, the wires are wrapped with foil, which serves as a reflective screen. Find the right one network cable available at an office supply store. To create a local area network between two home computers, an unshielded twisted pair cable is sufficient. Four-pair CAT5 cable is the most commonly used. Take a cable no longer than 100 m, crimping its ends with an RJ45 connector with special pliers - crimpers. Now it connects to the device without soldering and welding. If the LED on the controller is on or blinking, then the cable is connected properly. You can buy a ready-made, already “compressed” cable. Now it remains to configure computers to exchange information over a local network, register their IP addresses, and open access to certain files and folders. In the "Control Panel" go to the " Network connections". There may be several of them, look for "Local Area Connection". AT context menu connections (right mouse button on the icon) click "Properties". A window will open, select the line "Internet Protocol (TCP / IP)", click the "Properties" button. Check the radio button "Use the following IP address:", write down the IP address of the computer. It must be in the range 192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.254. If there are two computers on the network, then their addresses can be "192.168.0.1" and "192.168.0.2". Do not forget to click "OK" in each window. Make the same settings on the other computer.

Go to the "Network Connections" window in the Control Panel, double-click on the icon to open "Local Area Connection". If the “Status” field is “Connected”, then you have completed all the settings correctly. "Connection limited" - indicates an error. To share a folder on your computer, click right click mouse on a folder or drive, check the box next to Sharing and Security. Through " network environment» they become available for group sharing.

The last step is to set the name of the computer on the network and create a workgroup with a common name. Call the "Run" window ("Ctrl + R"), enter the command "sysdm.cpl" in the input field. It will open access to the system properties. Set common name working group. For example, "WORKGROUP". Or open the properties of the computer, in the line "Computer name" type the name of your choice. For all settings to work, restart your computer.

It is not necessary to set a permanent IP address, you can skip this step, but the connection will be established faster with it. Computers equipped with wireless network cards, can be networked without cable connectors via a Wi-Fi router. No other equipment is required to create a network.

To combine multiple computing devices into common network for data exchange, they use a router, which can also be connected to a modem to provide free access to the Internet for all members of the local network. Creating and setting up a home network will not take much time.

Before starting the network setup, you must turn off the modem and firewall(network packet filter program). All devices are interconnected by wire. Wireless connection, for example, a laptop router via Wi-Fi, we configure after turning on all devices. If your computer has more than one account, then you should go under the record with administrator rights. Through the "Start" button, we enter the control panel, where we select the "Network and Internet" section. Open the item "View network status and tasks" and from options changes network settings select "Setting up a connection or network", then "Settings new network”, click “OK”. The subsequent actions are carried out in accordance with the prompts of the setup program. When automatic settings networks will be completed, go to the "Network and Sharing Center", where in the "Network Connection" column, select the newly installed home network and click "Connect". The system will ask security code or passphrase for wireless connection. This is the final step in connecting the computer to the network. It remains only to specify the location of the "Home network" and determine the type of files that will be shared with other devices.

After selecting the “Network and Internet” section in the control panel, click on “Select a homegroup and sharing settings”. Next, you need to select and save the special settings of the network profile of the created home network in the "Homegroup Settings" column: network discovery, file and printer sharing, access to shared folders. To configure access settings for all members of the home network, right-click on the selected folder and go to the following path: "Sharing" - "Advanced sharing settings" - "Advanced settings". Check the box next to "Share the folder" and click "Permissions" to select the participants and the actions that they can perform with data on this computer: full access, change or read. Such actions must be carried out on all computer devices connected to the created network. After testing the network (checking the list of participants, navigating and performing configured actions on other computers, etc.), you can enable access to the Internet and the firewall. The creation and configuration of the home network is over.

In addition to simplified data exchange, watching movies from another computer without copying, it is possible to connect several computers to one printer, scanner, game console, etc., setting up the TV's access to the Internet. All this significantly expands the range of activities and opportunities for users of computer equipment at home.