Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your router or DSL/cable modem,
and the other end into your PC, and you??™re done; Vista will set up the connection
and get you on the Net in less than two seconds, no questions
asked. And unless a small rodent chews its way through said cable, it??™ll keep
working until you unplug it.
If you see a prompt that entices you to Connect to a network,
resist the urge if you??™re using cables; even though it
doesn??™t explicitly say it, the window that appears when you
click this link is only for connecting to wireless networks.
Build Your Network | 347
Networking and
Internet
Wiring can vary in complexity and cost, depending on your needs, budget, and
office layout. (See the upcoming ???Cabling Tips??? sidebar for additional help.)
For example, if you have two or more desktop computers in the same room,
wiring is a simple matter of adding a switch and one category-5 patch cable
for each machine, as shown in Figure 7-1. More PCs require a switch with
more ports, or possibly multiple switches connected together, and of course,
more cables.
If you only have two computers, you can eliminate the switch and simply
connect them with an inexpensive category-5 crossover cable, as shown in
Figure 7-2. Total cost: $3.99.
Most of the time, it doesn??™t make sense to use cables to connect a laptop to
your network unless its wireless doesn??™t work. (Of course, if you??™re using a
docking station, plugging in is more practical, but that??™s up to you.
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