Connect to Your Network and servers

No PC is an island—your system best flourishes when it’s connected to the internet and other locally networked PCs. So one of the first things you’ll want to do is ensure that you’re properly set up with you local network. That means more than just plugging an Ethernet cable from the back of your tower to the router.

First, you’ll want to configure your PC’s Workgroup domain so that other systems on your network can detect it. If you’re using Windows 7, you’ll need to determine whether you’re on a Home, Work, or Public network. This will allow you to tweak your file, folder and printer sharing options so your PC will play nice with others. You’ll also need to adjust the file-sharing encryption setting to 128-bit to secure your local connections. Additionally, Windows 7 PCs should have HomeGroups synced up for increased protection and streamlined setup. Refer to our Windows 7 Networking guide for more details.

Next, you should consider switching over to OpenDNS to improve the responsiveness of your internet connection. We have a step-by-step guide for how to do that here.
If you’re planning doing a lot of PC gaming and P2P file-sharing on your PC, you’ll need to configure port forwarding for those apps. Refer to http://portforward.com/ for detailed guides to forwarding ports for any router make and model.
Finally, link up your PC with any NAS boxes or Window Home Servers on your local network. Use these servers to store or back up your media database.