Q&A for How to Create a Local Area Network (LAN)

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How do I create a local network between 2 computers?

Yaffet Meshesha
Computer Specialist
Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.

Yaffet Meshesha

Computer Specialist

Expert Answer

Plug both of the computers into the modem or switch with ethernet cables to access and share files.

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Question

How I connect my TV to LAN?

Community Answer

If you have a smart TV, one that has wireless capabilities and a built-in interface to services like Netflix and YouTube, you can install software such as Plex Media on your networked computers to interface with the TV and share media. If your TV doesn't have this capability, you can pick up a Roku device to connect to your TV to give you these capabilities.

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Question

I am not sure why every computer needs its own WiFi card if I am connecting them with a cable. Can I run some of the computers with the cable and some without it?

Community Answer

Yes. You do not need a WiFi card for computers connected with a cable. This article is just aimed more at people wishing to create a wireless LAN, which is the most common preference these days.

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Question

What do I need if I want to set up a WiFi system in my house that will serve my neighborhood?

Connor Caunt

Community Answer

You will need to have range extenders in every house and bridge them all together. You could also run Ethernet cables all around your neighborhood and buy more network switches, then follow the above instructions.

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Question

Can I run Teamviewer on a local network without being connected to internet?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. All that you need to do is run a network cable (LAN) to connect to the other PC. No internet connection is required.

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Question

How do I connect a computer to a LAN?

Community Answer

Using a Ethernet cable, you can connect computers a LAN via the router.

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Question

When setting up a LAN, what topology should I use in order to get the maximum speed of communication between computers on the network?

Community Answer

Star topology is often used. It is a switch, acting as a central device, connecting all hosts, computers, printer, scanner et cetera, and then a router, to get you access to the internet.

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Question

How do I share folders and files on wireless (router) LAN using a designated host as a server?

Community Answer

Set up file and printer sharing. Once your network is up, you won't see anything on other computers unless that computer has shared files. You can designate files, folders, drives, printers, and other devices as "shared" so that anyone on the network, or just specific users, can access them.

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Question

Which cable connects a computer to the router?

Alex Lakra

Community Answer

You should have a LAN cable to connect to your computer. You can find the LAN port just down the USB mouse port.

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Question

How do I share a printer to a network after creating the LAN?

Community Answer

Right click on the printer you have installed, select the "sharing" option and set it up as a shared printer.

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Question

Do I have to have an ISP to use create a wireless network?

Community Answer

No; your router will assign IP addresses to the devices. You won't be able to connect to the internet, of course, but the computers on your LAN will be able to share resources like printers and files, play games with a LAN option, etc.

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Question

Is it possible just to use a router with my LAN network without connecting it to the modem? I know we wouldn't have internet access but would be be able to play our games?

Daniel Niyomudabo

Community Answer

Yes because a router is the most important device, more so than other devices which provide a network.

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Question

Do LAN cables and Ethernet cables have different designs or purposes?

Community Answer

LAN and wired network connections both use Ethernet cables. However, there are different variations of Ethernet cables. The most common are Cat5 (or Cat5e) Ethernet cables, which provide speeds of 10/100 mbps.

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Question

Could I set up a LAN to connect my computers to my printer and still use the computers on a different WiFi?

Community Answer

Yes you can to connect your printer and your computers. You can also use the WiFi on the same computers.

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Question

What software do I need to connect my printer to my computer at work?

Community Answer

Usually Windows will help with this if your printer is plug and play. If not, you can either download the printer software/drivers from OEM site or use disc that came with the printer.

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Question

Is it possible to create a LAN separate from the internet on devices that still need the internet but can only get it through hotspots?

Community Answer

You will need to set up which devices are allowed to use the internet using their MAC/physical address.

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