Microsoft Windows XP: Visual Quickstart Guide

Chapter 17. Setting up a Small Network

You create a network when you connect two or more computers to exchange data or share equipment. Cheap hardware and simpler configurations have made networks common in homes and small businesses. Setup is no longer the frustrating, complex experience it used to be, thanks to XP’s Network Setup Wizard (but the hassle of buying and installing network hardware remains). Networks let you:

• Share files. No more straying floppies and duplicate files. You can designate disks, folders, and files as shared network resources.

• Share printers and devices. Any computer on the network can use a printer connected to another network computer. Ditto for backup devices, scanners, and other devices.

• Share an Internet connection. ...