This article shows how to create a local computer network (LAN) using Windows machines or Macs. If the number of computers to be connected is small, a wireless connection can be used, but in the case of a very large LAN network it is preferable use a wired connection.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create a Wireless LAN Network in Windows
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Step 1. Select the Wi-Fi network connection icon characterized by this symbol
It is located in the lower right corner of the desktop. A drop-down menu will appear.
- If Wi-Fi connectivity is currently off, press the button Wifi, located in the lower left corner of the panel that appeared, before proceeding.
- In some cases, in order to view the icon of the Wi-Fi network connection, you will need to select the item "Show hidden icons" characterized by the icon ^ located at the bottom right of the desktop.
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Step 2. Select one of the available networks
Click the name of the Wi-Fi network to which you want to connect the computers that will make up the LAN network.
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Step 3. Press the Connect button
It is located in the lower right corner of the chosen Wi-Fi network pane.
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Step 4. Provide the network security password
When prompted, enter the password to access the selected wireless network.
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Step 5. Press the Next button
It is located under the network name. If the entered password is correct, the computer will be connected to the network.
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Step 6. Connect the other computers to the internet via the chosen Wi-Fi network
At this point you will have to repeat the steps described above for all the other computers that you want to connect to the network via wireless connection. After connecting all the machines to the network, you can proceed to configure the file sharing options.
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Step 7. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
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Step 8. Type in the control panel keywords
Your computer will search for the Windows "Control Panel" program.
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Step 9. Select the Control Panel icon
It is characterized by a blue rectangle located at the top of the "Start" menu.
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Step 10. Choose the Network and Sharing Center option
It is characterized by an icon with a series of blue monitors.
If you are in the "Category" view mode of the "Control Panel", you will need to choose the item first Network and Internet to be able to select the indicated option.
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Step 11. Select the Change advanced sharing settings link
It is located at the top left of the page.
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Step 12. Click the "Enable Network Discovery" radio button
This way you will be sure that your computer will be able to interact with other machines connected to the network.
You can also turn on the "Turn on file and printer sharing" and "Allow Windows to manage Homegroup connections" options if they aren't already
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Step 13. Press the Save Changes button
It is located at the bottom of the window.
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Step 14. Activate the same functions also on all other computers connected to the network
When all machines connected to the LAN have the "Enable Network Discovery" option enabled, you are ready to use your wireless network.
Method 2 of 4: Create a Wireless LAN on Mac
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Step 1. Select the Wi-Fi network connection icon characterized by this symbol
It is located in the upper right corner of the desktop. A drop-down menu will appear.
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If Wi-Fi connectivity is currently disabled, click the icon
then select the option Turn on Wi-Fi from the menu that appeared.
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Step 2. Select one of the available networks
Click the name of the Wi-Fi network to which you want to connect the computers that will make up the LAN network.
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Step 3. Provide the network security password
When prompted, enter the password to access the selected wireless network using the "Password" text field.
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Step 4. Press the Connect button
It is located at the bottom of the window. This way your computer will connect to the selected network.
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Step 5. Connect the other computers to the internet via the chosen Wi-Fi network
At this point you will have to repeat the steps described above for all the other computers that you want to connect to the network via wireless connection. After connecting all the machines to the network, you can proceed to configure the file sharing options.
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Step 6. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
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Step 7. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared.
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Step 8. Click the Sharing icon
It is characterized by a blue folder visible in the center of the "System Preferences" window.
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Step 9. Select the "File Sharing" checkbox
It is located inside the box on the left of the "Sharing" window. This way you can be sure that you can share files stored on your computer within the LAN.
Within the indicated box you can also select all the other sharing options present that you want to use on your LAN network, as needed
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Step 10. Close the "System Preferences" window
All changes will be saved and your computer will be ready to share the files it contains on the network.
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Step 11. Activate the same functions on all other computers connected to the network
When all the machines have been connected to the LAN and have active file sharing, the network configuration will be completed.
Method 3 of 4: Create a Wired LAN in Windows
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Step 1. Make sure you have everything you need to proceed
You will need a network device to which you will need to physically connect all the computers that are part of it (such as a router) and enough Ethernet cables to wire all the connections.
- Most standard network routers have few Ethernet ports, however you can purchase network hubs or switches that allow you to connect as many as 10 devices or more.
- Make sure you know the exact distance between each computer to be connected and the network router, so that you know the length of the network cables to purchase.
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Step 2. Connect the device that will manage the network infrastructure to the modem
Use an Ethernet cable to connect the port called "Internet" on the back of the modem, which manages the internet connection, with the same port on the back of the network router (in case the device is not equipped with this communication port, use one of the available Ethernet ports).
Remember that the network router will need to be connected to the mains for it to function properly
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Step 3. Now connect each computer to the network router
Again use an Ethernet cable to connect each machine's network card to an Ethernet port on the router.
If you are using desktop computers, the network card should be on the back side of the case, while if you are using laptops you will find it along one side
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Step 4. Enter the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
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Step 5. Type in the control panel keywords
Your computer will search for the Windows "Control Panel" program.
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Step 6. Select the Control Panel icon
It features a blue rectangle located at the top of the "Start" menu.
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Step 7. Choose the Network and Sharing Center option
It is characterized by an icon with a series of blue monitors.
If you are in the "Category" view mode of the "Control Panel", you will need to choose the item first Network and Internet to be able to select the indicated option.
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Step 8. Select the Change advanced sharing settings link
It is located at the top left of the page.
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Step 9. Click the "Enable Network Discovery" radio button
In this way you will be sure that the computer in use will be able to interact with the other machines connected to the device that manages the LAN network (in this case the router).
You can also turn on the "Turn on file and printer sharing" and "Allow Windows to manage Homegroup connections" options if you haven't already
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Step 10. Press the Save Changes button
It is located at the bottom of the window.
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Step 11. Activate the same functions on all other computers connected to the network
When all machines connected to the LAN have the "Enable Network Discovery" option enabled, you are ready to use your network.
Method 4 of 4: Create a Wired LAN on Mac
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Step 1. Make sure you have everything you need to proceed
You will need a network device to which you will need to physically connect all the computers that are part of it (such as a router) and enough Ethernet cables to wire all the connections.
- Most standard network routers have few Ethernet ports, however you can purchase network hubs or switches that allow you to connect as many as 10 devices or more.
- Make sure you know the exact distance between each computer to be connected and the network router, so that you know the length of the network cables to purchase.
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Step 2. Connect the device that will manage the network infrastructure to the modem
Use an Ethernet cable to connect the port called "Internet" on the back of the modem, which manages the internet connection, with the same port on the back of the network router (in case the device is not equipped with this communication port, use one of the available Ethernet ports).
Remember that the network router will need to be connected to the mains for it to function properly
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Step 3. Now connect each computer to the network router
Again use an Ethernet cable to connect each machine's network card to an Ethernet port on the router.
- If you are using iMacs, the network card should be on the back side of the screen.
- If you are using MacBooks, it is very likely that you will need to purchase a USB-C to Ethernet adapter in order to connect using the network cable. This step is necessary because most modern MacBooks are no longer equipped with an Ethernet network card.
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Step 4. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
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Step 5. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared.
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Step 6. Click the Sharing icon
It is characterized by a blue folder visible in the center of the "System Preferences" window.
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Step 7. Select the "File Sharing" checkbox
It is located inside the box on the left of the "Sharing" window. This way you will be sure that you can share files stored on your computer within the LAN.
Within the indicated box you can also select the other sharing options present that you want to activate on your LAN network, as needed
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Step 8. Close the "System Preferences" window
All changes will be saved and your computer will be ready to share the files it contains on the network.
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Step 9. Activate the same functions on all other computers connected to the network
When all the machines have been connected to the LAN and have active file sharing, the network configuration will be completed.
Advice
- When purchasing Ethernet cables for LAN wiring, make sure they are shielded. Shielded network cables are equipped with a protective inner sheath which serves to reduce the risk of damage to the cable itself.
- After enabling file sharing on your computer, you can create a shared folder that acts as a network directory to use for sharing documents and data between connected computers.