Be advised that this guide reflects a simple peer-to-peer network with Windows OS and TCP/IP only !!!

Ingredients:
- Computers (also called hosts) with network cables installed
- Category 5e or Category 6 cable
- Central device such as a hub or a switch

Procedures:
1. Make sure that the computers have a standard installation of Windows and has all network card drivers installed.
2. Connect the network cards of the computers to the switch via the network cables.

That's the simple part, here comes the extra configuration to make it work better.

If you are simply connecting "workstations" (anything that isn't a server) together without a server, it would be advisable to use "Static IP Addressing" (setting a manual IP address). Now before I get 10 replies to that comment, if you are connecting into a device such as a wireless router, let the router assign IP addresses "dynamically". To configure static IP addressing:
  1. Go into Control Panel either by clicking Start, Control Panel or Start, Settings, Control Panel (depending on Start Menu configuration.
  2. For Windows XP, open Network Connections. For Windows Vista, open Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Only for Windows Vista, on the left side, click Manage Network Connections.
  4. Right-click the network connection that you connect with (usually only 1), and left-click Properties.
  5. Click TCP/IP and Click Properties right below it.
  6. Set IP addresses according to the guidelines below.
  7. Confirm all dialogue boxes and you are finished.

Now if you are assigning static IP addresses, I recommend using the 192.168.1.x subnet. What this means is that every IP address in the network should start with 192.168.1 . The fourth value will be exclusive to each host installed on the network. For the subnet mask, it depends on the class of IP address you use. Let me briefly explain:
  • The class of an IP address is determined by the value of the first octet of an IP address.
  • Class A: 0-126 ... Class B: 128-191 ... Class C: 192-223. There are Class D and Class E addresses, but they are impractical to use.
  • Class A Subnet Mask = 255.0.0.0 ... Class B Subnet Mask = 255.255.0.0 ... Class C Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0

Again, if you use a wireless router, let the router dynamically assign IP addresses. The rest of the IP addresses will depend on the network setting.

Feel free to post any questions involving this thread. I will go ahead and stick this as a reference.