We　demonstrate　a　linear　optical　protocol　to　generate　W　state　in　terms　of　optical　elements　within　a　network.　The　proposed　setup　involves　simple　linear　optical　elements,　N-photon　polarization　entangled　state,　and　conventional　photon　detectors　that　only　distinguish　the　vacuum　and　nonvacuum　Fock　number　states.　We　show　that　with　local　operations,　single-photon　measurement,　and　one　way　classical　communication,　the　protocol　can　be　successfully　realized　with　a　certain　probability.　©　2010　World　Scientific　Publishing　Company.