Part 1: Connecting All Hardwares In Internet Cafe

This post is a brief idea, how to connect all hardwares in internet cafe. This is not a complete guide but it will you get an idea before you setup your own internet cafe.

All the hardwares need to be connected each other to the Local Area Networking (LAN), to enable them share one internet line to get connected to the Internet. This is a basic idea on how to connect all your hardware to the LAN. 

Connecting the Computers

All PCs have to connect to the switch/hub, which are merge as a LAN. A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building). 

In these article I assume that all PCs have been completely installed with Windows XP operating system and using static IP Address instead of dynamic IP (DHCP) for each system because a best cyber cafe management software currently only support static IP Address. 

Installing and Configuring Ethernet Adapter Card

 In order to enable each PC communicate with each other we have to install the networking protocol. To date motherboard have ethernet adapter built-in. So, no need to add it. But if your motherboard dont have it, you must add it.

Common ones used in a simple network is IPX/SPX and TCP/IP. To install, open Network Neighborhood properties, click "Add" button, Select "Protocol" and "Add" button, scroll down in the manufacturer list and select Microsoft, select IPX/SPX and click "OK". The next one should be the same, but select TCP/IP instead. Once installed, select TCP/IP in the Network Neighborhood Properties window, click "Properties" button. 

Insert into TCP/IP Properties:

The PC's IP Address, e.g. 192.168.1.2 

- Each PC must have different IP Address e.g.: 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3, 192.168.1.4, 192.168.1.5 and so on. 

Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (modem/router IP Address)

DNS: refer to your Internet Provider, in this case I use Malaysian TMNet's DNS: 202.188.0.133 and 202.188.1.5 

Click "OK" button, and restart PC. The computer will be ready to get connected once it is restarted. Do the same to other PC. 

Cabling/Wiring 

Commonly use cables are co-ax and cat5 with RJ-45 and BNC connector. Most of new NIC only support RJ-45 connector, so we use Cat5 (also called 10BaseT) cable. Other then RJ-45 connector and Cat5 cable, you also need a crimping tool. Measure the length from the client to the switch, perhaps a little bit longer. Cut the cable and crimp RJ-45 connector at both of the cable end.

The next step is the easiest part, put one end of the cable into the client's NIC port and the other end at the switch/hub's port. You have to make another 20 cables if you have 20 units of clients with 1 unit of server. Connect all 20 PCs, PC Server and the modem/router to the hub/switch and connect a phone line to the modem/router.

Cont. to Part 2