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Home
Networking, Basic
The Latest Home Networking News!
Web Tech Support
What
you need to know before you connect your computers together.
More software downloads
Home Networking, Basic Understanding of Home Networks: Web Tech Support.
By:
WebTechGeek.com
If you have more than one computer user
in your home and still have arguments about who gets to
connected to the Internet, It's time to consider installing
a network. If you are new to home networking, this is
the place for you. Our page is written for the beginner
and explains everything you need to know in an very easy
to understand format.
The cost of installing a home network is
affordable for most do-it-yourselfers and the project
can be completed in just a few hours. Prices start at
around $99.00 for a 2 machine network using standard Ethernet
hardware, up to several hundred dollars for one of the
newer technologies such as wireless, USB or phone line
networking.
If you share your Internet connection:
You will be able to connect to the net from any network
computer at the same time. Every computer shares a single
Internet connection, whether it's through a deal up modem,
cable modem or DSL. There's no need to have a separate
connection or account for each computer. If you have a
Broadband connection, this is the best way to get the
most out of your monthly service charge and probably the
best reason to have a home network. Remember come back
to WebTechGeek.com for more computer help!
Share date: Because you can see what's
on any disk drive on any networked computer, you can easily
copy or move files from one machine to another.
Game Play head to head: You won't
have to play against stranger on the Internet. Home rivalries
can be work out by playing networkable games such as Unreal
Tournament, or the kids can host a multiplayer game party.
Home Networking, what it takes: By
Raymond, WebTechGeek.com. Best of all, home networks are
faster, less expensive and easier to set up than ever.
If you've added a printer or scanner to your system and
installed new software, you can handle the setup of a
home network. It's easiest with a kit. The hardest part
is deciding which network technology will best fit your
needs and planning properly so you have all the right
pieces. Here's a rundown of the basic component of every
home network. Need Computer
Help click here!
The Basics of Local Area Networking:
Today local area networking is a shared access technology.
This means that all of the devices attached to the LAN
share a single communication s medium, usually a coaxial,
twisted pair, or fiber optic cable. The physical connection
to the network is made by putting a network interface
car d (NIC) inside the computer and connecting it to the
network cable. Once the physical connection is in place
it is up to the network software to manage communications
between stations on the network.
The Media: The media carries the
message. Networks use of two basic media types to connect
computers, Wires that run to each computer or radio waves
that carry network transmission wirelessly. Wired networks
are faster and less susceptible to interference from stray
signals from other house hold devices (such as your cordless
phone). Wireless networks let you move computer to any
location in the yard, while you remain connected to the
network. If one of your computers is a laptop, a wireless
network gives you maximum mobility. Remember to come back
to WebTechGeek.com for more how to's.
If planning on connecting two or more computers
together to share files, printers and other resources
is your goal, this page will introduce you to the concept
of networking. This page will not only help you troubleshoot,
they'll show you how to do system check ups, fix file
sharing and printer sharing problems, and verify network
security.
Adapters and hubs: By Raymond, WebTechGeek.com
- An adapter is an electronic device that connects a computer
to the media, thereby connecting the computer to each
other. Some adapters plug into a PCI expansion slot inside
a desktop computer or into a PC Card slot on a laptop:
these adapters are often referred to as network interface
cards or NICs. Some adapters connect to a port on the
outside of the computer, such as the parallel or USB port.
Each computer on the network needs a network interface
card.
Hubs: The Central Connection Point.
The hub is one of the most important elements of a LAN.
It is a central connection point for wiring the network
and all stations on the LAN are linked to each other through
the hub. The term hub is generally associated with 10BASE-T
Ethernet networks while the term multistation access unit
(MAU), is used to refer to the Token Ring wiring concentrator.
These two LAN technologies use different media access
methods hubs and MAUs perform different media access functions
internally, but at one level they perform the same function:
they are both network wiring concentrators.
Some networks require special hardware components
so the computer will communicate with each other. For
example, Ethernet networks always need a central connection
unit called a hub or router, Wi-Fi wireless networks always
need an "access point." To share Internet access,
you'll need a gateway. This is sometimes built into a
hob or access point but can often be one of the computer
on the network. Remember to come back to WebTechGeek.com
for more How~2s.
Connection software: Both Windows and the Mac OS have built-in
networking software for sharing files, printers and even
Internet connections. Usually, the only time you need
to add networking software is if you want to use a Mac
and Windows computer on the same network. In this case
you'll have to buy a home networking product that supplies
this capability, such as Miramar Systems $199. PC Maclan
at www.pcmaclan.com.
Main
types of networking!
There are five main types of home networking
technology available: Fast Ethernet, phone line, power
line, radio frequency and 802.11b (Wi-Fi). The first three
use wires to connect computer: the latter two are wireless.
Fast Ethernet: For speed, For the
fastest home network, choose Fast Ethernet also called
100Base-T. With a transmission speed of 100Mbps, it is
far faster than any other home solution. If you have game
players in the house, this is the way to go. Fast Ethernet
generally requires installing adapters in your desktop
computers. You can add laptops to the network with PC
Cards.
Fast Ethernet By Raymond, WebTechGeek:
can be costly because you have to run special wiring,
called Category 5. But is cheaper than the wireless networking
setup. If your Cable or DSL internet service provider
gives you IP address that you can share using a network
hub. A network hub provides a very inexpensive, fast
and very flexible way of sharing your Internet connection.
The Cost: by Raymond, WebTechGeek.com This could
cost anywhere from $75 to $150 per computer, but it can
vary greatly depending on house design. You can eliminate
the extra wiring costs if you put all the computers on
the network in the same room. A 10-foot cable costs about
$20, and an NIC card will cost you $20. You can also save
money by wiring the network your self. Note: that for
every 328 feet of cable you use, you'll also need a device
called a repeater, it will boosts the network signal that
fades over distance.
3com's HomeConnect Home Network Kit
Price $159 is a good example of Fast Ethernet. At (www.3com.com).
Regular Ethernet, which operates at 10Mbps, doesn't make
sense any longer for home network. The cost of the hardware
isn't much cheaper than FastEthernet, and the wiring cost
are the same. Os go with the FastEthernet!
Traditional Ethernet: Pros-inexpensive
to buy, very fast w/ speed up to 100 Mbps. Cable can be
run up to 328 feet. Additional cards are inexpensive with
costs under $20.00 each for 10/100 Mbps cards. Most common
type of network in use. Cons-cable needs to run to each
machine. You must open up your computer to install each
card.
Building a home network
by using one of two way!
Kits: Building a home network by
using one of two ways: Using a kit or buying a kit is
easier because you know that all of the parts work together.
Use PCI or USB adapters for a desktop system, and PC card
for laptop, try to match the types that your computer
manual. And or search for specs on the manufacturers Web
site. If you are setting up a home network for the first
time, it would probably be a wise choice to buy a network
kit since they include everything you need to install
a two computer network. Kits include 2 network cards,
a hub, cable and installation instructions.
The one thing you do need to pay attention
to when buying a kit is the length of the CAT 5 cable
that is included with the kit. Most manufacturers only
include a 25' long cable. In most home installations,
that is not long enough. You will more than likely need
to purchase a separate cable of either 50 or 100 feet
for your installation. Remember to come back to WebTechGeek.com
for more How~2s, Home network has never been easier!
Using Phone lines or Power Line!
Phoneline or PowerLine: Pros no cable
to run. You can use existing lines in place. Speed up
to 10 Mbps. Cons computer has to be opened to install
card. Slower than traditional Ethernet. Additional cards
are expensive.
New! Linksys
Instant PowerLine EtherFast 10/100 Router provides
the perfect solution for connecting high-speed broadband
Internet to both your home powerline and Ethernet network.
Containing one WAN port, one 10/100 Ethernet port, and
one powerline port, it's specifically designed for local
network users to share networking resources over powerline.
The Instant PowerLine EtherFast 10/100 Router is fully
HomePlug 1.0 compliant. The PowerLine Router connects
into a cable or DSL modem via the WAN port and then plugs
into a power outlet with a regular 110-volt AC line cord.
It allows powerline-based devices to share a single, high-speed
broadband Internet connection, files, printers, and more
- simply by plugging into standard power outlets.
The PowerLine Router provides up to 14Mbps data transmission
rate over powerline, firewall security from outside intruders
and easy Web browser setup, as well as advanced features
such as remote administration capability. When you build
yourself a powerline network with the PowerLine Router,
no rewiring is required, and there's no interference with
normal power service. More information about using your
powerline as the fabric for your high-speed
network.
HomePlug: (www.homeplug.com)
HomePlug is a networking technology that uses the existing
home electrical wiring to connect your computers. This
is an old approach for home networking that never caught
on due to technical difficulties. The HomePlug Powerline
Alliance has been working to fix those problems. Sonicblue
(www.sonicblue.com)
has announced HomeFree Powerline, a 10Mbps network kit
that runs over the power lines in your walls. You plug
your network adapters into the outlets and your computers
can talk to each other, no central hub and or access point
is needed. This could be the most flexible of all the
wired home networking technologies. The kit cost $179
for two PCI or USB card adapters.
HomePNA 2.0: (www.homepna.org)
HomePNA stands for Home Phone line Networking Alliance.
HomePNA 2.0 uses the existing telephone wireing in your
home to connect computer at 10Mbps. It can network all
the computer that are attached to the same telephone line
extension, using no central hub or access point. You only
have to add wires if you want to add phone jack extension.
D-Line's DHN-920: Home Phoneline Network in a
box, it has two USB adapters and cost $150 (www.dlink.com).
HomePNA 2.0 is the way to go for ease of installation.
Using Wireless Networking!
Wireless: Pros No cable to
run.
Cons expensive, slow with speed up to 2 Mbps. Distance
is limited to about 75 feet. Additional cards are expensive.
HomeRF wireless: networks operate
at 1.6Mbps, fast enough for sharing printers and for copying
medium sized files. But, slower than Fast Ethernet 100Mbps.
WithHomeRF you can roam with a computer up to 150 feet
from the nearest computer on the network. The HomeRF isn't
the best choice for sharing a broadband Internet connection
(DSL) because it's just not fast enough to keep up with
DSL or Cable modems. The cost is high expect to spend
between $200 & $250 for each two computer setup. (www.homerf.org)
Wi-Fi wireless: is a step up from
HomeRF, The 802.11b an 11Mbps wireless networking technology.
Wi-Fi network is fast enough to share a DSL or Cable modem
Internet connection. Wi-Fi networks need a separate base
station that handles network traffic, and usually also
serves as a gateway to the net connection. A two-computer
network costs about $130 & $300 for two adapter and
& $300 for abase station.
The Gateway Starter Kit (www.wavelan.com)
it includes an access point and one PC card for $449.
Expect adequate performance up to 300 feet from a base
station, but the farther away you get, the slower the
data travels. Outside the signal is good up to about 1,000
feet.
The basic transmission rate of a Wi-Fi network
is faster than HomePNA 2.0 and standard Ethernet, in real
life it's slower, usually around 5.5Mbps. To make your
sure Web pages and Email messages arrive at your computer
reliably, The wireless networks need to devote more resources
to error correction and recovery than wired networks do,
leaving less bandwidth for your data.
New standard: by Raymond, WebTechGeek.com.
Next year you might see the introduction of products using
802.11a standard, which will increase wireless speed to
54Mbps. Remember to come back to WebTechGeek.com for more
How~2s, Home network has never been easier!
Need
more networking infornation:
Networking Basics, Linksys: A group
of excellent FAQ's by LinkSys, a manufacturer of networking
equipment here!
An educator's Guide to School Networks:
A complete book online intended as a primer for non-technical
administrators - Source: The Florida Center for Instructional
Technology, University of South Florida. here!
Connecting Your Network to the Internet:
Using Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, making a connection
to the Internet is easy, secure, and can be accomplished
with relatively inexpensive hardware and basic Internet
service provider (ISP) services. This guide is intended
for users of medium-sized Windows 2000 domain-based networks
who want to set up Internet access and share it with local
area network clients. Source: Microsoft.com
Network Tutorial: An introduction
to basic wiring and network components that discusses
the various network components which make up a network
(bridges, routers, switches, cabling types, patch panels,
etc.,). Source: D&M Electronics here!
Related: Wi-Fi wireless networking how to page!
