FileForums - Still a little confused on PS2 backup to HDD-----

My job is sending me to a school across the states that is 5 weeks long. I'm not going to have s#it to do in my spare time. So rather then bring all my games, I'd like to put them on a hard drive and have everything in one package. Plus, I like the fact of not having to switch discs ever. (faster loading is just icing :D) Yes, I read the UIS, as well as many other posts, but I guess I'm still a little fuzzy on how I would go about this.

I currently have a non-slimline PS2 w/o the HDD and network adapter. I will be using this Maxtor 160G hard drive. (Yes, I realize it will only recognize 137G, but the 120G was only a few bucks cheaper.:p) And I plan to just snag a network adapter off Ebay or something. Will all network adapters work with all V.11 and below PS2's? Also, I know I need HDLoader, but I don't know anything about how this hooks up. The hard drive's IDE and power connector plug into the network adapter? Or on the PS2 console somewhere? Does everything fit inside the expansion bay or does something crazy stick out? It will look exactly the same as the HD/network combo that came with Final Fantasy, correct? And from there it's just throw the HDLoader disc in and roll right into installation correct? I think I'm probably nuking this. It's probably very very easy. I just haven't seen it in person or anything. Wanna make sure everything is gravy before I start ordering stuff. Thanks for your help!