| In the past, most people had just a single | | | | basically build a LAN, either wired or wireless, over |
| computer in their home and nothing else. Internet | | | | which networked devices communicate between |
| access was based on dial-up modems which were | | | | them inside the home, and also share a common |
| connected directly with a serial cable on the home | | | | broadband internet connectivity. |
| computer. No Local Area Network was needed. | | | | The heart of a home network is a broadband |
| The advancement of technology and the adoption | | | | router. This is usually an integrated wired-wireless |
| of broadband Internet access connectivity at | | | | device which enables you to build a home LAN |
| homes, necessitates that home appliances should | | | | using either Ethernet Network cables or a Wi-Fi |
| be networked to facilitate online access and to | | | | wireless connection. This integrated router |
| also communicate and share information between | | | | provides also the Internet access connectivity. |
| them. | | | | Once you set up a home network, you can |
| When I say home appliances I mean computers, | | | | connect your home PC and laptop, XBOX or |
| game consoles, printers, data storage devices etc. | | | | PlayStation consoles, Web cameras for security, |
| All those appliances need to share information | | | | Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices etc. |
| between them over a Local Area Network, but | | | | After you connect those devices you can share |
| also need to have high-speed access to the | | | | files over the network, organize game parties, |
| Internet. To achieve that, you will need to set-up | | | | play online games, watch your home from the |
| a home network. With a home network you | | | | office using a Web Camera etc. |