Wired networks are the best way to connect your desktop computer to the Internet. While wireless networks offer flexibility for portable computers, wired networks offer unbeatable performance, reliability, and security.

If you have a single computer, connecting to the Internet is as simple as plugging a network cable into your computer and your modem. If you have more than one computer, you need to connect a router between your modem and your computers. If one or more of your computers is in a different room from your router, you can use a network extender to connect the computer.

To connect more than one computer to the Internet, you will need a router. A router (which might also have wireless networking built in) allows you to connect several computers to each other and to the Internet. Connect the router to the modem, and then connect all your computers to the router (as illustrated below).

 

 

To connect a router and multiple computers to the Internet:

1. Connect your router to your modem in one of the two following ways:

If you currently have a computer connected directly to your modem, unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router.

If you don't currently have your computer connected to the Internet, plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem, and the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your router.

 

Modem

 

Router

 

2. Plug in your router. After a minute or two, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your router will illuminate, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.

3. Connect the network cable to your computer's network adapter.

 

 

4. Connect the other end of the network cable to your router in any of the remaining open ports.

 

 

5. Start your computer and log on to Windows. Windows automatically detects that you are connected to the Internet.