Connected Play: LANs Enrich Everyone's Gaming Experience Ionia MI

Posted by : Chuck Miller

Obviously, linking computers together via a local area network (LAN) offers far greater benefits than just multiplayer frag fests. For instance, it provides users with resource sharing, such as trouble-free program and data access, as well as Internet connectivity.

For our purposes, though, let's focus on networking from a purely gaming perspective. That's only logical, given the release of such high-powered first-person shooters as "Doom III," "Half-Life 2," and "Unreal Tournament 2004" looming on the horizon. We're headed for a multiplayer smorgasbord of extreme proportions, folks, and we need to be ready.

That preparation involves creating your own multiplayer gaming LAN and, to help you do that, several options exist. Choices include wired and wireless, with several variations in both camps, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses. Still, regardless which route you follow--tethered or not--similar components are required for the task.

Thanks to improved integration, numerous motherboards include on-board networking. However, if the motherboard in your game rig doesn't feature an imbedded network connection (or two), a network interface card (NIC) is a required add-in when fashioning a LAN. In most cases, a central device, such as a hub, switch, or router, is also needed to collect and distribute the network signals. If going wired, cables are a necessity, too. All this stuff can be acquired from such companies as Be...

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