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TAX-AIDE Local Area Networking taxaidetech@aarp.org July, 2013

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Scope of Presentation Applies to TaxWise Online (TWO) configurations Overview and configurations of networking for TWO Covers necessary terminology, various network configurations, and provides references for more detail

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Benefits of Networking TaxWise Online Conservation of Resources: Sharing of Input/Output Devices (such as printers). Backups: No Backups are required Internet Access: Networking allows Internet access for all network computers via a single router Note: it isnt even necessary for other Tax-Aide computers to see each other

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Terminology - Local Area Network (LAN) Definition: A group of computers and network devices that share a common communications connection and typically share the resources of computers or a server within a small geographic area (an office, office building, organization). A Tax-Aide local area network may serve as few as two or three users or as many as 20 on a Windows 7 Professional network.

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Terminology Wide Area Network (WAN) Definition: A long-distance communi-cations network that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country. Example: The Internet is the worlds largest WAN

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Terminology - IP Addresses For computers to communicate with each other using a router, they must have a unique identifier that identifier is the IP Address Similar to a telephone network To communicate sensibly, there must be a unique IP Address in the format 127.0.0.1 This IP Address is assigned automatically by network router always unique on the Network Devices such as printers can also be assigned a specific IP address called Static IP Address. Devices can be assigned random IP addresses called Dynamic IP Address

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Connection Options Network switch Acts much like an extension cord Allows more computers/devices to connect to a router by adding more ports Cant connect to other networks or the Internet Not software configurable Router Contains a network switch Also provides a bridge to other networks and the Internet Highly software configurable Can be Wireless or Wired or Combination

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Router A Router is the device used to create a computer Local Area Network (LAN) when connection to the Internet is required. Router default settings use Dynamic IP Address to automatically assign an IP address to each connected computer or device to create a network. Network printers can be connected to the router Resources can now be shared among devices

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Router Router adds the capability to attach a network or wireless printer to the LAN rather than having a shared printer connected to a workgroup computer. Network printer Printer has a network port Connects directly to the router More responsive Doesnt take resources from a computer Provides wireless WPA security on the Network

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Wired versus Wireless (TWO) Wired Most secure Cluttered installation many cables Next slide shows wired network configuration Wired network printer and shared printer shown Switches as extension to provide additional ports shown All computers wired to router either directly or via network switch

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TAX-AIDE Wired Router W/L Router N/W Printer Shared Printer Laptop N/W Switch USB cable All cables Cat 5 or higher unless specified differently.

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Wired versus Wireless (TWO) Wireless with router Is permitted with TWO Clean installation few cables Next slide show sample setup configuration Router is connected to modem via ethernet cable All computers connect wirelessly Printers can be wireless, wired, or shared

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TAX-AIDE Wireless Router W/L Router Wireless N/W Printer Shared Printer W/L Laptop USB cable N/W Printer

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Wired versus Wireless (TWO) Wireless and Wired with router Wired and Wireless used simultaneously Is permitted with TWO Clean installation few cables Next slide show sample setup configuration Router is connected to modem via ethernet cable Computers use combination of wired and wireless Printers can be wireless, wired, or shared

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TAX-AIDE Wireless/Wired Router Hybrid W/L Router Wireless Printer N/W Printer Shared Printer W/L Laptop Laptop N/W Switch USB cable All cables Cat 5 or higher unless specified differently.

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Wired And Wireless Configurations Wireless using Host Facility router This connection is permitted for use with TWO Clean installation no cables May require host network setup from N/W administrator File and printer sharing MUST be turned off Next Slide shows network configuration with all computers and printers connected directly to Host Facility router

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TAX-AIDE Wireless, No Router or Switch Wireless Printer W/L Laptop

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Wired And Wireless Configurations Wireless with Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (TWO) ICS is found in Windows Networking properties In this case, the ICS connects to the host Wireless network Computers can connect directly to ICS computer to acquire Dynamic IP Address from the computer Router can be configured as wireless Access Point Shared printer(s) can be used Hard-wired or wireless network printer(s) can be used

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TAX-AIDE Internet Computer Sharing W/L Laptop connected to Host Facility Network W/L Laptop Laptop Wireless Printer N/W Printer Shared Printer W/L Router * N/W Switch * Configured as an access point USB cable All cables Cat 5 or higher unless specified differently.

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Router Warning Routers that are suitable (and affordable) for the Tax-Aide program are technology challenged Not meant for heavy usage, consequently theyre severely limited in the number of connections they can route especially, when they are configured to use WPA security which is required by Tax-Aide The routers are prone to overheating and dropping connections when 8 to 12 computers are connected Keep them cool and in an open space

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK BASICS Typical Equipment Costs NETWORK Device RouterSwitchNIC Patch Cables TYPE: 4-8 Port5-8 Port Included with Most Computers 14 or 25 (longer if required) ~COST:$35 & Up$15 & Up Included$4 & Up Where To Buy:www.tigerdirect.comwww.newegg.comwww.tigerdirect.comwww.newegg.com LOOK FORwww.cdw.comwww.bestbuy.comwww.cdw.comwww.bestbuy.com DEALS!www.cnaweb.comwww.microcenter.comwww.cnaweb.comwww.microcenter.com www.geeks.com www.amazon.com There are many other websites that sell network hardware.

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TAX-AIDE NETWORK AARP Tax-Aide Network Documents Find AARP Tax-Aide Network procedures on the Volunteer Portal at: https://volunteers.aarp.org/portal/core/welcome.htm Select Volunteer ShareNet link Click the TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE link, choose Click the NETWORKING group, choose NETWORKING TAXWISE FOR TAX-AIDE Click the TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE link Click the TAXWISE ONLINE group, choose USING WIRELESS SITE CONNECTIONS FOR TWO