Wiley PCs All-in-One For Dummies, 5th Edition 978-0-470-61454-9 Manuel D’Utilisation
Codes de produits
978-0-470-61454-9
Chapter 1: Do I Really Need a
Network?
Network?
In This Chapter
✓
Evaluating the advantages of a network
✓
Connecting to other computers and devices
✓
Selecting networking hardware and software
N
etworking is neat stuff: The ability to copy or edit a document that’s
on another computer halfway down the hall is invaluable, whether
on another computer halfway down the hall is invaluable, whether
that hallway is in a business or your own home. (Even a home office like
mine, where six computers constantly vie for my attention in the same
room, benefits from a network. Although the computers are only a few feet
apart, moving 60GB worth of data between them would be no small feat
without a common network connection.)
mine, where six computers constantly vie for my attention in the same
room, benefits from a network. Although the computers are only a few feet
apart, moving 60GB worth of data between them would be no small feat
without a common network connection.)
However, not everyone with multiple computers needs a network. For exam-
ple, if you don’t often exchange information between your computers, you
can get by using a “sneaker net” or a simple USB or FireWire transfer cable.
However, if you regularly need to share files, applications, and an Internet
connection, you’ll want a network. (I think you know which course of action
I usually recommend. After all, look at the rest of this chapter and this
minibook!)
ple, if you don’t often exchange information between your computers, you
can get by using a “sneaker net” or a simple USB or FireWire transfer cable.
However, if you regularly need to share files, applications, and an Internet
connection, you’ll want a network. (I think you know which course of action
I usually recommend. After all, look at the rest of this chapter and this
minibook!)
Here, I cover what a network can do for you, which hardware and software
you need, and how much work is involved. Later chapters in this minibook
fill in the blanks (and compare the pros and cons of wired versus wireless),
but after you read this introduction, you’ll know whether a network is worth
your effort.
you need, and how much work is involved. Later chapters in this minibook
fill in the blanks (and compare the pros and cons of wired versus wireless),
but after you read this introduction, you’ll know whether a network is worth
your effort.
Discovering the Advantages of a Network
If you’ve never used a network to link multiple computers, you might not
realize which applications are network ready. Here’s a quick list of the most
common uses for a network.
realize which applications are network ready. Here’s a quick list of the most
common uses for a network.
46_614549-bk08ch01.indd 529
46_614549-bk08ch01.indd 529
6/11/10 10:32 PM
6/11/10 10:32 PM
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL