| If you have not decided already,you will soon | | | | Router,you have the option to wire your |
| want to network your two or more computers in | | | | computers together should something go wrong |
| your home. You want to be armed to the teach | | | | with any wireless component.Take note of the |
| with knowledge of just what it takes to | | | | difference between the wired nic and the |
| connect your computers to one another. | | | | wireless nic cards. |
| | | | |
| You first should decide which network is best | | | | The POWERLINE NETWORK |
| your you. If your computers are in the same | | | | |
| room,the Wireless network should not be | | | | The powerline network uses the electrical |
| considered.The wired by cable network should | | | | wiring in your home to transfer data to and |
| work just fine. | | | | from each computer.Present powerline networks |
| | | | run between 50kbps or Kilobits Per Second and |
| Computer that may be close to each other but | | | | 350kbps. |
| cannot be seen may and have phone jacks close | | | | |
| by can easily be networked with the HomePNA | | | | This network has a drawback in back it will |
| Network.While PCs that are far from each | | | | have lots of electrical noise which will |
| other can be connected with the powerline | | | | cause the network to lose speed.And other PC |
| network,assuming wall outlets are nearby. | | | | users can snoop in your computer if they know |
| | | | how. |
| And when there are computers in different | | | | |
| rooms and you want the convenience of moving | | | | This network will need a Router for data |
| the systems from room to room,the more | | | | transfer and nic cards for each system.A |
| expensive Wireless Network is the way to | | | | Bridge will be needed for access to the |
| go.After you decide on the type of network | | | | internet.These Bridges can be used with your |
| that is best for you,knowing what components | | | | Router. |
| you'll need to purchase will be a great | | | | |
| help.Let's take a look at each network and | | | | The PHONELINE NETWORK |
| the components needed to get it up and | | | | |
| running. | | | | The components you will need in the Home |
| | | | Network are close to that of the Wireless |
| The WIRED ETHERNET NETWORK | | | | network.In most cases,the 10mbps speed |
| | | | network is fast enough for home users. |
| If your computers are in the same room,the | | | | |
| basic network kit can wire your systems | | | | The computers are connected with a Switch,a |
| together.Be sure to carefully open any kit or | | | | gateway,or Router to share Internet access |
| component you purchase and do not damage the | | | | and to send data to each computer through the |
| box it came in.The purpose for this is to | | | | phone line network.This network is considered |
| make it easy to return the component if | | | | the easiest to setup. |
| needed. | | | | |
| | | | Phoneline Network adapters are installed in |
| Basic kits will have instructions and | | | | each PC. The USB or Universal Seriel Bus port |
| software for the network as seen as two | | | | connection is the most commonly used adapter |
| NICs.Better known as Network Interface | | | | for Phoneline networks.To reduce line noise,a |
| Cards,these NICs are installed in empty slots | | | | Phone Filter may be needed.If you plan to |
| in the system unit.The PCI slot is where the | | | | connect a phone and line in one phone |
| card is installed and there are the USB | | | | jack.you will have to invest in a Line |
| adapters as well.The network will need | | | | Splitter.Be sure each computer in the network |
| cabling to connect the computers and the CAT | | | | are close to a phone jack. |
| 5 or Category 5 cable is the one to look for. | | | | |
| | | | The Phoneline Network is thought to be less |
| Ethernet networks come in two speeds,which | | | | expensive .more dependable and faster when |
| are 10 and 100mbps or megabits per second.The | | | | compared with the Powerline network. |
| wired network will also need a Hub or a | | | | |
| Switch to direct traffic from each system.If | | | | In a nutshell,all networks will need some |
| you want fast traffic,and who don't,you will | | | | type of adapter inserted in the computer.Each |
| want to connect a Switch instead of a Hub.If | | | | network will need a hub, switch,or router to |
| you want all PCs to connect to the | | | | transfer data.Windows 98,Me,and XP will have |
| Internet,most kits come with Special Bridging | | | | the needed software to make everything work |
| Software which links the systems together. | | | | together.Adapters and and other hardware will |
| | | | come with device driver software which |
| The WIRELESS HOME NETWORK | | | | enables the hardware to talk to the computer. |
| | | | |
| Wireless networks rely on radio frequency to | | | | We have taken a brief look at the hardware |
| transmit and receive data.Wireless network | | | | needed to network two or more |
| equipment will offer you the choice of both | | | | computers.Connecting the hardware was rather |
| wired and wireless connections. | | | | simple when we networked our computers using |
| | | | the wireless technology.Learn all you can |
| If your computers are in direct line of each | | | | about PC networking and you will be grateful |
| other,the IR or Infrared frequency can be | | | | in having this knowledge should you |
| used.But most wireless networks now use the | | | | experience computer problems. |
| Radio Transceiver technology with computers | | | | |
| being located just about anywhere. | | | | Since we have seen basic network |
| | | | components,its time to see how each component |
| You will need a Wireless Router to connect | | | | is installed and connected.Then we're going |
| each PC to the network.Wireless NIC Cards | | | | to see how to move data from one machine to |
| must be installed in each computer in the | | | | the other and share the internet using |
| network.When you purchase your wireless | | | | broadband with a DSL or a Cable |
| kit,take note of the indoor range. | | | | modem.Remember to enjoy learning about your |
| | | | computer by performing as many tasks as you |
| As you can see when looking at the wireless | | | | can without causing damage to your system. |