Experiment-72:- Sharing And Controlling Resources And Internet Connections Through A Network

 Objective: To set up a local area network (LAN) that allows multiple devices to share resources (files and printers) and control internet access.

Materials Needed:

• A router (wired or wireless)
• Multiple computers (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
• Network cables (if using a wired connection)
• A printer (optional)
• Internet connection
• Basic knowledge of network settings
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Step-by-Step Experiment

Step 1: Set Up the Network

1. Connect Devices:

   • Connect all computers to the router using Ethernet cables or connect them via Wi-Fi.
   • Ensure that all devices are powered on and connected to the same network.

2. Check Network Connectivity:

   • On each computer, check the network connection by opening a web browser and visiting a website (e.g., www.google.com).
   • Ensure that all devices can access the internet.

Step 2: Configure Network Settings

1. Assign IP Addresses:

   • Ensure that all devices are assigned IP addresses. This can be done automatically via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or manually by setting static IP addresses.
   • To check the IP address on Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Network.

2. Enable File Sharing:

   • Windows:
     • Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
     • Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing.
   • macOS:
     • Go to System Preferences > Sharing.
     • Check the box for "File Sharing" and add folders to share.

Step 3: Share Resources

1. Share a Folder:

   • Windows:
     • Right-click on a folder you want to share, select "Properties," go to the "Sharing" tab, and click "Share."
     • Choose users or set permissions (read/write).
   • macOS:
     • In the Sharing preferences, add the folder you want to share and set permissions for users.

2. Share a Printer (if applicable):

   • Windows:
     • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click on the printer, and select "Printer properties."
     • Go to the "Sharing" tab and enable sharing.
   • macOS:
     • In the Sharing preferences, check the box for "Printer Sharing" and select the printer.

Step 4: Control Internet Access

1. Access Router Settings:

   • Open a web browser and enter the router's IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
   • Log in with the admin credentials (check the router manual for default credentials).

2. Set Up Parental Controls (if available):

   • Look for a section in the router settings for "Parental Controls" or "Access Restrictions."
   • Set rules to block specific websites or limit internet access for certain devices.

3. Limit Bandwidth (optional):

   • Some routers allow you to set bandwidth limits for specific devices. Look for "Quality of Service" (QoS) settings in the router interface.

Step 5: Test Resource Sharing and Internet Control

1. Access Shared Resources:

   • On each computer, access the shared folder by navigating to \\[IP address of the computer sharing the folder] in Windows Explorer or Finder in macOS.
   • Verify that you can read/write files as per the permissions set.

2. Print from a Shared Printer:

   • Try printing a document from one computer to the shared printer to ensure it works correctly.

3. Test Internet Access Control:

   • Attempt to access a blocked website from a device that should have restricted access.
   • Verify that the restrictions are working as intended.

Step 6: Document Your Findings

1. Record Observations:

   • Note any issues encountered during the setup process and how they were resolved.
   • Document the steps taken to share resources and control internet access.

2. Evaluate Performance:

   • Assess the performance of the network, including file transfer speeds and internet access.

Conclusion

This experiment demonstrates how to set up a local area network that allows for resource sharing and internet control. By following these steps, you can effectively manage network resources and ensure that internet access is controlled according to your requirements. This experiment can be expanded by adding more devices, implementing security measures, or exploring advanced networking concepts.