| With previous versions of Windows, a chapter like this about networking would have been at least twice as long. That's because with those older Windows, you had to set up all sorts of complicated network protocols (such as TCP/IP and IPX), pretty much by hand. Windows didn't do a good job of recognizing all your network devices, and the network configuration was a long, drawn-out process. (More trial and error than anything else, to be truthful.) One of the true joys of Windows XP is how easy it makes home networking. Network devices are recognized automatically, and configuration takes place in the background. You still have to make the physical connections, of course, as well as click a few options in the various wizards. But all things being equal, connecting a network under Windows XP is relatively painless. When you're planning and connecting your network, keep these points in mind: You can choose to create an Ethernet (wired) network or a Wi-Fi (wireless) network. When you connect an Ethernet network, you have to install a network interface card in each computer, and then connect each card to a network hub. When you connect a wireless network, you only need a network interface card in your main computer; all your other PCs will connect via wireless adapters. You can add security to your wireless network by running Windows' Wireless Network Setup Wizard. Windows XP's Network Setup Wizard greatly simplifies the process of installing and configuring your network. Just install your hardware and run the wizard (on each computer), and you'll be up and ready to go. After your network is installed, you can configure individual disk drives, folders, and files to be shared with other computers on your network. (Use the Shared tab in the file/folder dialog box.) To share a printer with other computers on the network, you have to turn on printer sharing on the PC to which the printer is connected. You also have to add that printer (using the Add Printer Wizard) to each PC on your network.
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