Chapter 17. Configuring a LAN

17. Configuring a LAN

IN THIS CHAPTER

Setting Up the Hardware	568
Gateways and Routers	569
NIC: Network Interface Card	569
Configuring the Systems	570
system-config-network: Configures the Hardware	571
iwconfig: Configures a Wireless NIC	572
Setting Up Servers	574

Networks allow computers to communicate and share resources. A local area network (LAN) connects computers at one site, such as an office, home, or library, and can allow the connected computers to share an Internet connection and a printer. Of course, one of the most important reasons to set up a LAN is to allow systems to communicate while users enjoy multiplayer games.

This chapter covers the two aspects of configuring a LAN: setting up the hardware and configuring the software. This chapter is not necessarily organized in the order you will perform the tasks involved in setting up a particular LAN: Read the chapter through, figure out how you will set up your LAN, and then read the parts of the chapter in the order appropriate to your setup.