Recognize And Understand Home Networking Components

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