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Recognize And Understand Home Networking Components
by Otis Cooper
If you have not decided already, you will soon want to network your two or more
computers in your home. You want to be armed to the teeth with knowledge of just
what it takes to connect your computers to one another. You first should decide
which network is best your you. If your computers are in the same room, the Wireless
network should not be considered. The wired by cable network should work just fine.
Computer that may be close to each other but cannot be seen may and have phone
jacks close by can easily be networked with the HomePNA Network. While PCs that
are far from each other can be connected with the powerline network, assuming
wall outlets are nearby.
And when there are computers in different rooms and you want the convenience of
moving the systems from room to room, the more expensive Wireless Network is the
way to go. After you decide on the type of network that is best for you, knowing
what components you'll need to purchase will be a great help. Let's take a look
at each network and the components needed to get it up and running.
The Wired Ethernet Network
If your computers are in the same room, the basic network kit can wire your
systems together. Be sure to carefully open any kit or component you purchase
and do not damage the box it came in. The purpose for this is to make it easy to
return the component if needed.
Basic kits will have instructions and software for the network as seen as two
NICs. Better known as Network Interface Cards, these NICs are installed in empty
slots in the system unit. The PCI slot is where the card is installed and there
are the USB adapters as well. The network will need cabling to connect the
computers and the CAT 5 or Category 5 cable is the one to look for.
Ethernet networks come in two speeds, which are 10 and 100mbps or megabits per
second. The wired network will also need a Hub or a Switch to direct traffic
from each system. If you want fast traffic, and who don't, you will want to
connect a Switch instead of a Hub. If you want all PCs to connect to the Internet,
most kits come with Special Bridging Software which links the systems together.
The Wireless Home Network
Wireless networks rely on radio frequency to transmit and receive data. Wireless
network equipment will offer you the choice of both wired and wireless connections.
If your computers are in direct line of each other, the IR or Infrared frequency
can be used. But most wireless networks now use the Radio Transceiver technology
with computers being located just about anywhere.
You will need a Wireless Router to connect each PC to the network. Wireless NIC
Cards must be installed in each computer in the network. When you purchase your
wireless kit, take note of the indoor range.
As you can see when looking at the wireless Router, you have the option to wire
your computers together should something go wrong with any wireless component.
Take note of the difference between the wired NIC and the wireless NIC cards.
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