Easy Ways to Set Up and Connect to a Local Area Network (LAN)

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Set up your own private LAN with or without a router

Co-authored by Mitch Harris

Last Updated: September 25, 2024 Fact Checked

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Setting Up the LAN

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Connecting Your PC

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Assigning IP Addresses (No Router)

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A local area network (LAN) is a network of devices that are all connected to each other in a single physical location, like a home or office building. This wikiHow will teach you how to set up a LAN to connect multiple Windows PCs.

How to Connect to a Local Area Network (LAN)

Connect a modem to the WAN port on the back of your router. Plug your computer into an open LAN port on your router with an Ethernet cable. Test your network connection, and turn on sharing for files or printers so any connected computer can access them.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Setting Up the LAN

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1
Determine the number of computers you want to connect. The number of computers you're connecting will determine the type of network hardware you'll need.
- If you are connecting four or less computers, you'll just need a single router, or one switch if you don't need internet.
- If you're connecting more than four computers, you'll want a router and a switch, or just a switch if you don't need internet.
2
Determine your network layout. If your installing a permanent LAN solution, you'll want to keep cable length in mind. CAT5 Ethernet cables should not run longer than 250 feet. If you need to cover larger distances, you'll need switches at regular intervals, or you'll need to use CAT6 cables.
- You'll need one Ethernet cable for each computer you want to connect to the LAN, as well as an Ethernet cable to connect the router to the switch (if applicable).
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3
Obtain the network hardware. To create a LAN, you'll need a router and/or a network. These pieces of hardware are the "hub" of your LAN, and all of your computers will be connected to them.
- The easiest way to create a LAN where every computer has access to the internet is to use a router, and then add a network switch if the router doesn't have enough ports.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mitch Harris
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  Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.} A router will automatically assign an IP address to every computer that is connected to it.
- Switches are similar to routers but do not automatically assign IP addresses. Switches typically have many more Ethernet ports than a router has.
4
Connect your modem to the WAN port on the router. This port may be labeled "INTERNET" instead. This will provide internet access to every computer that is connected to your LAN.
- You can skip this if you're setting up a LAN without internet access.
- You don't need a router at all to create a LAN, but it makes things easier. If you just use a network switch, you'll need to manually assign IP addresses to each computer after connecting them.
If you're using a network switch to connect more computers, connect it to one of the LAN ports on the router. You can use any open port on the switch to make the connection. When connected, the router will provide IP addresses for every computer that is connected to either device.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Connecting Your PC

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1
Find the Ethernet port on your PC. You can usually find this on the back of your desktop tower, or along the side or back of a laptop.
- Slim laptops may not have an Ethernet port, in which case you'll need to either use a USB Ethernet adapter or connect wirelessly if your router allows it.
Make sure you're using an Ethernet cable (RJ45), not a telephone cable (RJ11).
This can be any open LAN port on either the router or the switch, depending on your LAN setup.^{[2]
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4
Test out your network (router only). If you're using a router, your work is complete. Once all of the computers are connected to a LAN port, they will be assigned IPs automatically and will appear on the network. If you set up your LAN for gaming, you should be able to start your LAN game and have each computer connect.^{[3]
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Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.}
- If you're using a switch and no router, you'll still need to assign IP addresses to each computer.
You won't be able to access resources on a networked computer until file and printer sharing is enabled. You can select specific files, folders, and drives to share on each computer, as well as share access to printers.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Assigning IP Addresses (No Router)

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1
Right-click on your network connection. You'll see this in your System Tray. If you are connecting your computers through a switch with no router, you'll need to assign each computer on the network its own individual IP address. This process is handled automatically if you're using a router.^{[5]
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- Think of an IP address as a mailing address. Each computer on the network needs a unique IP address so that information sent across the network reaches the correct destination.
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You'll see this next to "Connections."
^{[7]
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Make sure you don't uncheck it, just highlight it.
This will save the settings for that computer. This computer is now configured on your network with a unique IP address.
Follow the steps above on the second computer to open the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window.^{[8]
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Notice that the final group of numbers has incremented by 1.
These values should be the same as they were on the first computer (255.255.0.0 and 192.168.0.0 respectively).^{[9]
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Repeat these steps for each additional computer, incrementing the IP address by 1 each time (up to 255). The "Subnet mask" and "Default gateway" fields should be the same on each computer.

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Question

What is subnet mask in IP addresses?

Mitch Harris
IT Expert
Mitch Harris is an IT Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

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Expert Answer

A subnet mask separates where the inside of the network is and where the outside world is.

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What should I do if any website is not opening?

Mitch Harris
IT Expert
Mitch Harris is an IT Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

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Expert Answer

Make sure that you've entered a DNS server—if you haven't, you'll receive an error related to DNS and you won't be able to access any webpages. You can enter Google's free server with "8 8 8 8" or "8 8 4 4". If you use Comcast, enter "7 5 7 5 7 5 7 5" or "7 5 7 5 7 6 7 6".

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How do I connect a printer to a LAN?

Community Answer

Properly configure the IP of the printer, and connect it to your switch or router -- preferably a router (it will assign an IP that is compatible to your network). Make sure the port you are using is open.

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