How to configure a computer in a local network

In this guide, Mytour will walk you through the steps to set up a LAN (Local Area Network) to connect multiple Windows computers.

Determine the number of computers you want to connect. The number of computers to be connected will influence the type of network hardware you'll need.

• If connecting fewer than 4 computers, a basic router or switch will suffice, unless you need an internet connection.
• If connecting more than 4 computers, both a router and a switch are required, or just a switch if an internet connection is not needed.

Determine the network layout. When setting up a fixed LAN, it's important to consider the cable length. Ethernet cables, such as CAT5, should not exceed 80 meters. If you need to cover a larger distance, it’s better to use a periodic switch or CAT6 cables.

• Each computer requires an Ethernet cable to connect to the LAN, and one Ethernet cable to connect the router to the switch (if applicable).

Prepare the hardware devices. To set up a LAN, you will need a router and/or a network switch. These hardware devices act as the "hub" of your LAN, where all computers are connected.

• The simplest way to set up a LAN when all computers can access the internet is to use a router and then add a switch if the router doesn’t have enough ports. The router will automatically assign IP addresses to the computers connected to it.
• A switch is similar to a router but doesn’t automatically assign IP addresses. A switch usually has more ports than a router.

Connect the modem to the WAN port of the router. This port may be labeled as "INTERNET". This port provides internet access to all the computers in the LAN.

• You can skip this step if you're setting up a LAN without internet.
• You don’t need a router if you're only setting up a basic LAN, but using one makes the setup easier. If you’re using just a switch, you will have to manually assign an IP address to each computer once connected.

Connect the switch to the LAN port on the router. If you are using a switch to connect multiple computers, link it to the LAN port of the router. You can use any available port on the switch to establish the connection. Once connected, the router will assign an IP address to each computer that is connected to the switch.

Locate the Ethernet port on your computer. Typically, this port is found on the back of a desktop, or on the rear or side of a laptop.

• Ultra-thin laptops often lack an Ethernet port. In that case, you will need a USB-to-Ethernet adapter or connect wirelessly to the router if possible.

Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer. Be sure to use an Ethernet cable (RJ45), not a phone cable (RJ11).

Plug the other end into an available LAN port. You can connect to any LAN port on the router or switch, depending on your LAN setup.

Test the network (only applies to routers). If you’re using a router, you’re done. Once the computers are connected to the LAN ports, they will automatically be assigned an IP address and appear on the network. If you’re setting up a LAN for gaming, you can start playing right away!

• If using a switch without a router, you’ll need to manually assign an IP address to each computer.

Enable file and printer sharing. You won’t be able to access resources on another computer in the network until file and printer sharing is turned on. You can select specific files, folders, or drives to share with other computers, or enable access to a printer.

Right-click on the network connection. You will find this icon in the system tray. If your computer is connected through a switch instead of a router, you must manually assign an IP address to each computer. This process is done automatically when using a router.

• An IP address is like a mailing address. Each computer in the network needs a unique IP address to ensure data sent across the network reaches the correct destination.

Click on the Open Network and Sharing Center (Open the Network and Sharing Center).

Click on the link Ethernet at the top of the window. You will see the path next to "Connections" (Connections).

Click on Properties (Properties).

Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) (Internet Protocol Version 4). Ensure that this option is highlighted in bold and not unchecked.

Click on Properties.

Click on the button Use the following IP address (Use the IP address provided below).

Enter 192.168.1.50 into the IP address field.

Enter 255.255.0.0 into the Subnet Mask field.

Enter 192.168.0.0 in the Default gateway field.

Click the button OK. This action saves the settings on the computer. The computer is now configured with a unique IP address in the network.

Open the properties of Internet Protocol Version 4 on the next computer. Follow the steps above to open the Properties window for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) on the second computer.

Click on the button Use the following IP address.

Enter 192.168.1.51 in the IP address field. Please note that the last segment of the number sequence increases by 1 unit.

Enter the same values as before for the fields Subnet mask and Default gateway. These values must match the first computer (255.255.0.0 and 192.168.0.0).

Assign a unique IP address to each computer. Repeat the steps above for each additional computer, increasing the IP address by one unit (up to 255). The "Subnet mask" and "Default gateway" fields must be identical on each machine.