intro
we'll basically look at the basic setting up of a lan, what you will need from the ground
level.  hopeful keep this as simple as possible.  lan parties can be in size
from 2 people to well there is no limit so far, with some lan parties breaking 3000
computers. we'll split lan parties in to two categories small ( say about 16 people and
pcs) to large ( a lot of pcs ).

we'll cover the basics which apply to both large and small lan parties first.  you
won't need more than this really to run a small party, we'll cover the details for a large
one in the next section.


hardware
- try to have at least one switch if possible no matter the size of the lan.  the
more switches the better even.  also put the switch at the highest level.  plug
hubs into your switch this will reduce pack loss, which can get extremely high if several
games are being played at the one time.
- always have spare cable... never know when you might need it.  jack gets pulled off
by accident and you need to recrimp the cable.
- never rely too much on people bringing things such as hubs and switchs, it is best to
make sure you have your hands on them before hand, not getting lend of them hopefully on
the day.
- might be handy if you have a few spare network cards.  just in case somebodies card
decides to die on the day... trust me it has happened.
- it is always important to have a dedicated server if possible, fairly high spec machine
( processor and memory anyway) so can have servers running the whole time for games like
quake, half-life and so-on.
- always set a limit on the number of pcs attending and make sure you are being realistic
to the number you can support at your lan.  while it is fair to say that some people
might not turn up, don't assume that you will have drop outs.  say you can handle 30
people and you think that about 4 won't should up so you accept 34 signups.
- it is always best if everybody coming has installed a network card before then arrive...
just easier that way.  you don't want somebody turning up trying to install a nic and
finding that it doesn't work now.
- make sure all your guests have earphones and are using them.  you don't want dozens
of speakers confusing everybody.


furniture
fairly obivous make sure you do have enough tables and chairs.  do not try and cramp
as many pcs on to tables as possible.  have roughly about 3 feet accross for each pc
( keyboard and mouse room ).  for example, use 8 foot tables and have 2 pcs for each
table. 
- don't put pcs on the joint between two tables and do not put pcs facing oppisite ways on
the same table. ie. one pc facing one way and then the next pc is on the other side of the
table.  this will just cause problems with network cabling and power cabling. 
- make sure you have enough chairs of suitable height.

power
make sure you have enough power points.  you will not be having a lanparty without
adequate power for your guests computers, your servers, and your network equipment. don't
have dozens of multi-adaptors all over the place.


ip addresses
we advise you pick a range of ip address's.  say you use 10.0.0.1 to 10.0.0.255.
assign each pc an ip.  with the first pc getting ip 10.0.0.1, the next, 10.0.0.2 and
so on, etc.  write these ip's down on paper and stick them to the table, or if you
have stickers write them on those. you don't want people picking a number at random from
their head. just keeps order.   for the subnet mask let’s just use old
reliable 255.255.255.0 on all of the pcs.