Point me towards Networking 101?

[WildHorse]

Any recommendations on a good, clear, entry-level orientation on how to set up a simple home network?

Searches on this forum are not helping me.

Just want to link 3 desktop computers, with occasional hookup for a laptop, for DSL internet access, & maybe later on, some sharing of applications and printer/scanner.

Nothing fancy. Don't see any need for wireless. Hardwired direct connections between the computers is fine with me, and may even be preferable for better security.

Want really strong firewall protection.

Suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Freedom! Liberty!

 

[InlineFive]

There is a plethora of Useful Information at ezlan.net.

You will probably find something useful! :thumbsup:

:sun:

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: InlineFive
There is a plethora of Useful Information at ezlan.net.

You will probably find something useful! :thumbsup:

:sun:

Thank you. I'll study that site which you recommended.

 

[Lemon law]

I did visit the ezlan site---lots of useful information---but some of it dated---but if you are looking for network security---you will get some from a router---but the softwall firewall you use on each computer will have a far greater impact on the firewall layer aspect of security---and ezlan seemed to extol the virtues of the agnethium software firewall---and I won't bad mouth agnethium, I just want to point out there are other alternatives out now. Plus, anyone with an Win XP operating patched up to SP2 will get the sp2 firewall regardless if they want it or not. And in MHO, the sp2 software firewall is better than nothing, but there are better alternatives out there---but since you can only run one active software firewall at a time on a given computer--or you get conflicts---you then have the added problem of disabling the sp2 firewall if you use a better alternative two way software firewall.

The other problem--especially for a newbie--is that some softwall firewalls play nice with networks with little configeration---and others take alot of expert help to play nice with your network. But lots of good advice on firewalls and security can be found on the software section of Anand tech---with firewall concerns being but one of the three or so more security layers you should have.