Microsoft KB Archive/814235

= How to Set Up a Small Network with Windows 98 Second Edition (PART 1) =

Article ID: 814235

Article Last Modified on 5/7/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

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SUMMARY
This article is Part 1 of the &quot;Set Up a Small Network with Windows 98 Second Edition&quot; guide. Part 1 introduces this topic.

Note To view the other topics of the &quot;Set Up a Small Network with Windows 98 Second Edition&quot; guide, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that are listed in the &quot;References&quot; section of this article.

The &quot;Set Up a Small Network with Windows 98 Second Edition&quot; guide includes the following topics:

Part 1. Introduction

Part 2. Buying the Network Hardware

Part 3. Connecting the Computers

Part 4. Installing the Network Card

Part 5. Configuring TCP/IP Protocol

Part 6. Setting the Computer Names and Workgroups

Part 7. Sharing Folders

Part 8. Sharing a Printer



Part 1. Introduction
A small network is practical for home users, and you can set one up quickly. This step-by-step guide explains exactly what you must do. It only takes one day to set up shared access to hard disks, folders, CD-ROM drives, printers, and the Internet.

Your new network can connect up to 10 workstations in a workgroup. The workgroup divides the corresponding tasks among the workstations. As a result, newer computers can provide disk space on their larger hard disks, while older computers can handle print jobs, set up Internet connections, or back up data.

In larger networks, there is a distinction between servers that provide services and clients that use these services. The computers are, therefore, specialized for their specific tasks. Your small network does not require this division of tasks. Every computer can take over server functions and at the same time use the workgroup's resources. Because all the computers have the same rights, this is known as a peer-to-peer network.



In a peer-to-peer network, all the computers share their resources.

