|  | 1.2 | The Basics of Computer Software
| 1.2.1 | Lab : Configuring network settings required to connect a PC to a network

Now that you have a good idea of what's involved with computer hardware, you need the second ingredient – computer software. The purpose of software is to allow you to interact with the computer or networking device, to get it to do what you want.

So, after the PC hardware is set up, the software must be configured. For example, the following tasks need to be completed prior to viewing Web-based curriculum from a network:

[Place the cursor of your mouse over the numbers in the animation to the left to view different configurations examples.]

1. select the NIC for software configuration
2. input the correct TCP/IP address
3. adjust the display (if necessary)
4. install and set up the browser
5. perform a few other tasks (if necessary)

| Lab Activity
| In this lab, you will configure the network settings required to connect your PC to a local area network and to gain access to the Internet (World Wide Web - WWW) and Intranet (internal local web servers), which will enable you to view the curriculum.

| Lab Activity
| In this lab, you will verify that the PC is properly configured to run the multimedia based CNAP Curriculum and practice exams.