| Customer Network Support Page | | | | phone. This cable may simply go between a pair |
| Computer Networks have become a way of life | | | | of computers, or more commonly it will be |
| as of late. We have them at work, often at | | | | plugged in to a router at the other end. This is the |
| home too, and certainly every place we visit any | | | | device that links all of the computers together, |
| more. How is it that linking computers together | | | | using the Cat5 cable. It will be plugged into the wall |
| became such an important tool in our society? | | | | for power, and a a cable will be stretched |
| Networks | | | | between it and each computer that it provides |
| To begin with, we have to remember that we're | | | | signal to. |
| in the 'Information Age.' Computers create, | | | | When the Network fails, the first thing to do is |
| control, and disseminate information much faster | | | | think if anything in the office has been moved |
| than we can with paper and a pen. So what | | | | that would have disrupted the cables or the |
| happens, when you have files on your computer | | | | power to the router. Make sure that all of the |
| that I need to see or change in mine? The only | | | | lights on the front of the router are lit, that are |
| options are to either save the file from your | | | | usually on. |
| machine to removable meda (CD Rom, USB | | | | If all of the cables are connected and the router |
| Drive, or Floppy) then transport it to the other | | | | is indeed, plugged in, then we need to dig deeper. |
| computer, or else have them in a Network to | | | | You can try unplugging the router for 15 to 30 |
| share the files. The latter is so much less time | | | | seconds, then retry the Network at the |
| consuming in a busy office! | | | | computers. If that's not convenient to so, you |
| What happens when the Network goes down | | | | can tell the computer that you are using to get |
| though? Of course this never happens at a good | | | | another IP address from the router. |
| time. It happens when the work is (over)due or | | | | This is done by opening a DOS window: Click on |
| the customer is waiting for a printout. Yes, | | | | your START menu, then RUN. Type the word |
| fortunately there are things that you can do | | | | 'CMD' without the quotes and press ENTER. In the |
| before calling San Diego PC. | | | | DOS box that appears, type 'IPCONFIG |
| Without getting too technical however, you need | | | | RELEASE.' The computer should confirm at this |
| to know a few things: Each computer on the | | | | point, that the address that was in use has been |
| Network has an IP address. This address is simply | | | | released. What follows is the same IPCONFIG |
| a number that identifies it on the Network, just as | | | | command, followed this time, by the word |
| your house's address identifies your home on the | | | | 'RENEW.' At this time you will see the new |
| street. | | | | address that has been assigned by the router for |
| The next thing is the infrastructure of the | | | | the computer to use. |
| Network itself. The most common cabling | | | | If these steps fail, then the problem is not one |
| between the computers will be 'Cat5' cabling, | | | | that is presenting itself too easily, and you should |
| which plugs in to the back of the PC just the | | | | call San Diego PC for your next step. |
| same way that a telephone cord plugs into a | | | | |