Local Area Networking

1. Local Area Networking taxaidetech@aarp.org July, 2013

2. NETWORK – BASICSScope of Presentation • Applies to TaxWise Online (TWO) configurations • Overview and configurations of networking for TWO • Covers necessary terminology, various network configurations, and provides references for more detail

3. NETWORK – BASICSBenefits of Networking TaxWise Online • Conservation of Resources: Sharing of Input/Output Devices (such as printers). • Backups: No Backups are required • Internet Access: Networking allows Internet access for all network computers via a single router • Note: it isn’t even necessary for other Tax-Aide computers to “see” each other

4. NETWORK – BASICSTerminology - Local Area Network (LAN) • Definition: A group of computers and network devices that share a common communications connection and typically share the resources of computers or a server within a small geographic area (an office, office building, organization). • A Tax-Aide local area network may serve as few as two or three users or as many as 20 on a Windows 7 Professional network.

5. NETWORK – BASICSTerminology – Wide Area Network (WAN) • Definition: A long-distance communi-cations network that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country. • Example: The Internet is the world’s largest WAN

6. NETWORK – BASICSTerminology - IP Addresses • For computers to communicate with each other using a router, they must have a unique identifier – that identifier is the IP Address • Similar to a telephone network • To communicate sensibly, there must be a unique IP Address in the format 127.0.0.1 • This IP Address is assigned automatically by network router – always unique on the Network • Devices such as printers can also be assigned a specific IP address – called Static IP Address. • Devices can be assigned random IP addresses – called Dynamic IP Address

7. NETWORK – BASICSConnection Options • Network switch • Acts much like an extension cord • Allows more computers/devices to connect to a router by adding more ports • Can’t connect to other networks or the Internet • Not software configurable • Router • Contains a network switch • Also provides a “bridge” to other networks and the Internet • Highly software configurable • Can be Wireless or Wired or Combination

8. NETWORK – BASICSRouter • A Router is the device used to create a computer Local Area Network (LAN) when connection to the Internet is required. • Router default settings use Dynamic IP Address to automatically assign an IP address to each connected computer or device to create a network. • Network printers can be connected to the router • Resources can now be shared among devices

9. NETWORK – BASICSRouter • Router adds the capability to attach a network or wireless printer to the LAN rather than having a shared printer connected to a workgroup computer.  • Network printer • Printer has a network port • Connects directly to the router • More responsive • Doesn’t take resources from a computer • Provides wireless WPA security on the Network

10. NETWORK – BASICSWired versus Wireless (TWO) • Wired • Most secure • Cluttered installation – many cables • Next slide shows wired network configuration • Wired network printer and shared printer shown • Switches as extension to provide additional ports shown • All computers wired to router either directly or via network switch

11. Wired Router All cables Cat 5 or higher unless specified differently. N/W Switch N/W Switch W/L Router N/W Printer Laptop Laptop Laptop Shared Printer USB cable

12. NETWORK – BASICSWired versus Wireless (TWO) • Wireless with router • Is permitted with TWO • “Clean” installation – few cables • Next slide show sample setup configuration • Router is connected to modem via ethernet cable • All computers connect wirelessly • Printers can be wireless, wired, or shared

13. Wireless Router W/L Laptop Wireless N/W Printer W/L Router W/L Laptop N/W Printer Shared Printer USB cable W/L Laptop

14. NETWORK – BASICSWired versus Wireless (TWO) • Wireless and Wired with router • Wired and Wireless used simultaneously • Is permitted with TWO • “Clean” installation – few cables • Next slide show sample setup configuration • Router is connected to modem via ethernet cable • Computers use combination of wired and wireless • Printers can be wireless, wired, or shared

15. Wireless/Wired Router Hybrid All cables Cat 5 or higher unless specified differently. W/L Laptop Wireless Printer N/W Switch N/W Switch W/L Router N/W Printer Laptop Laptop Laptop Shared Printer USB cable

16. NETWORK – BASICSWired And Wireless Configurations • Wireless using Host Facility router • This connection is permitted for use with TWO • “Clean” installation – no cables • May require host network setup from N/W administrator • File and printer sharing MUST be turned off • Next Slide shows network configuration with all computers and printers connected directly to Host Facility router

17. Wireless, No Router or Switch Wireless Printer W/L Laptop W/L Laptop

18. NETWORK – BASICSWired And Wireless Configurations • Wireless with Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (TWO) • ICS is found in Windows Networking properties • In this case, the ICS connects to the host Wireless network • Computers can connect directly to ICS computer to acquire Dynamic IP Address from the computer • Router can be configured as wireless Access Point • Shared printer(s) can be used • Hard-wired or wireless network printer(s) can be used

19. Internet Computer Sharing All cables Cat 5 or higher unless specified differently. W/L Laptop connected to Host Facility Network Wireless Printer N/W Switch N/W Switch N/W Printer W/L Router* Laptop Laptop Shared Printer USB cable W/L Laptop * Configured as an access point

20. NETWORK – BASICSRouter Warning • Routers that are suitable (and affordable) for the Tax-Aide program are “technology challenged” • Not meant for heavy usage, consequently they’re severely limited in the number of connections they can route – especially, when they are configured to use WPA security which is required by Tax-Aide • The routers are prone to overheating and dropping connections when 8 to 12 computers are connected • Keep them cool and in an open space

21. NETWORK – BASICSTypical Equipment Costs Where To Buy: www.tigerdirect.comwww.newegg.com LOOK FOR www.cdw.comwww.bestbuy.com DEALS! www.cnaweb.comwww.microcenter.com www.geeks.com www.amazon.com There are many other websites that sell network hardware.

22. NETWORK – AARP Tax-Aide Network Documents • Find AARP Tax-Aide Network procedures on the Volunteer Portal at: https://volunteers.aarp.org/portal/core/welcome.htm • Select Volunteer ShareNet link • Click the TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE link, choose • Click the NETWORKING group, choose • NETWORKING TAXWISE FOR TAX-AIDE • Click the TECHNOLOGYSOFTWARE link • Click the TAXWISE ONLINE group, choose • USING WIRELESS SITE CONNECTIONS FOR TWO