Kits vs. DIY

Many networking companies like 3com offer prepackaged network kits. They usually include a hub and two network cards (most kits are hub-based, and are either 10 or 100BaseT). The setup instructions are usually thorough, and having access to customer support is always good. Beginners might want to start out with one of these kits. Look at the packaging to make sure it has the components you want. Check if the network cards are ISA or PCI. Make sure you have the necessary slots open in each computer. You'll also need to check the number of ports available on the hub. Most hubs in these starter kits only have 4 or 5 ports, and that makes having a 4on4 game of Starcraft impossible. Likewise, if you only have 3 computers to network, getting a 16-port hub can be an expensive form of overkill. Lastly, note the length of the cables supplied - if your systems are far apart (I know someone who ran a length of cable across the street to connect a neighbor), you may need to buy more. The cost of these kits tends to be more expensive than just buying the parts separately, but you're also paying for the instructions and customer support.

Linksys Fast Ethernet LAN kit

The Road Less Traveled

The bold and adventurous among our readers might wish to do it the way a real man (or woman) would - from scratch. No sissy starter kits or easy-to-read diagrams here. Your rebellious youth and pre-jail warez background has taught you to scoff in the face of instruction manuals.

First you need to get the network interface cards, or "NICs." The NIC is the card that goes into each computer to make it network ready. There are several brand name NICs, and even more generic kinds. Brand name cards such as those made by 3com and Intel are generally much better than the generic cards, both in network efficiency and CPU utilization. They also have better components, excellent drivers, and online support. They also charge you an arm and a leg. Generic cards are surprisingly cheap, but they usually get the job done. They may require quite a bit more configuration than brand name cards, and compatibility is always suspect. We recommend brand name cards, but feel free to go generic if you have technical experience and don't mind a trip or two back to the store to exchange an incompatible or non-configurable card.

Definitely go for PCI network cards if possible, but don't lose any sleep if you can't. They are generally newer and have less compatibility problems. Also, the number of ISA slots in many new systems has dwindled down to two, and they're usually taken up by a modem and a sound card. (Buy ISA if you want an excuse to get a SBLive! or MX300.) As always, make sure you have the necessary slots open in your systems. The rule of thumb is that a PCI network card should be the first to go if you're running out of those coveted white slots - the performance tradeoff is insignificant for home LAN purposes, and I'd be willing to bet you'd rather be able to plug in that nice second Voodoo2 anyway.

Make sure the type of card is compatible with the type of network you have. Almost all mainstream network cards have an RJ45 connector for 10/100BaseT. An RJ45 connector looks just like a wide telephone jack. If you're going with 10Base2 Ethernet, you'll need cards with a BNC connector, which resembles a small, 1/3-inch long cylinder extruded from the end of card. They are often found on "combo" cards that have both BNC and RJ45 connectors. If you're going with Fast Ethernet, you have to buy 100BaseT cards, usually called 10/100BaseT because they're backwards compatible with 10BaseT networks.