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Let's see...make sure to have a cubic asslode of cat 5 cable. Crossover isn't necessary. If you're having more than 10 people, I'd make sure to have a switch. Make sure no one is connected to file-sharing programs, and try to agree with everyone on not using the network for anything but gaming. Even the slightest transfer will make networked games lag to hell.
Me and my friends usually have LAN's consisting of 10-20 people. When it gets above 15, the power goes out about once per night. Get used to it! The more surge protectors the better.
Make sure everyone has a network friendly OS. Win XP does the job VERY nicely. Win 98, ME, and even 2000 give lots of problems when trying to connect to a lot of other people. Again, I suggest everyone have Win XP Pro installed. Makes things a lot easier.
Other than that, just ram all of the cat 5 cables leading from the PCs all into a central hub or switch. Turn on the PCs, have someone start a server, and there ya go!
One last thing: make sure everyone has the same version of the same games installed prior to the LAN. That can get very confusing and boring. Waiting on people to install games gets really old, especially if there's a waiting list.
-Lasereth
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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert
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