Cable Tacker
If you need to secure cables quickly to baseboards, floorboards, beams, or other wooden
objects, consider buying a cable tacker (also called a cable stapler) such as the one shown
in Figure 9-8. Alternatively, you can use plastic clips and a small hammer.
Figure 9-6
A cable stripper helps
you remove the plastic
sheath from an Ethernet
cable. Make sure yours
has an adjustable blade
so that you can get the
cut depth right.
Figure 9-7
A crimping tool lets
you create your own
Ethernet cables, saving
money over premade
cables.
Figure 9-8
With a cable tacker, you
can staple down cables
quickly and securely.
96 Part II: Intermediate
Step 2: Make Sure the PCs Have Network Adapters
First, make sure that each of the PCs that will connect to the network has a network
adapter. In these days of widely available broadband Internet connections, it is now hard
to buy a PC that doesn??™t have a network adapter. But if your network will include PCs that
are several years old or more, you may find that you need to add a network adapter.
The best way to add a network adapter to a desktop PC is by opening the case and
installing a PCI network card. If you have a spare Fast Ethernet PCI card lying around
from an old PC, use that. Otherwise, buy a new Gigabit Ethernet PCI card.
If you??™re unwilling or unable to open your PC??™s case, or if it doesn??™t have a spare
PCI slot to accommodate a network card, your main alternative is to connect a network
adapter via USB.
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