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
Slide 4
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
Slide 5
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.
Slide 6
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
Slide 7
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
Slide 8
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
Slide 9
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
Slide 10
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
Slide 11
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
Slide 12
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.
Slide 13
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
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
Slide 16
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.
Slide 17
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
Slide 18
TAX-AIDE Wireless, No Router or Switch Wireless Printer W/L
Laptop
Slide 19
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
Slide 20
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.
Slide 21
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
Slide 22
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.
Slide 23
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