Part I: Before you begin

Unless your household includes only one adult, you most likely have more than on computer in operation.  Often there is a need to connect these PC’s for file sharing or other reasons. To do this you will want to create a simple home network.

First, the gather the following information:

• The number of computers to be networked
• The current operating systems of all computers to be networked
• The number of computers equipped with wireless technology
• The reasons you want to network your systems
• Where the computers will be located
• What type of Internet service you have at home

Next, let’s look at the types of network hardware and configurations available to connect your own simple home network.

1.Ethernet/10BaseT: Ethernet technology is the most popular networking means used in today’s home configurations. With this set-up, all the bandwidth of the cable included in the network is used in a single channel. This is known as “baseband” technology. 10BaseT refers to a specific type and speed of Ethernet cabling and operation.

2.Wireless Ethernet: If your laptop is wireless or your desktop system has a wireless card, you can connect to the network without cabling. This is very useful and can allow you to work from various rooms in your house depending on your mood that day. The main disadvantage with an all-wireless network is cost.

3.Network Interface Card (NIC): A ‘NIC’ is used when you want to connect multiple computers together through a hub or router. A Network Interface Card will be required in each PC being connected.

4.Hub: A hub allows the user to connect one or more computers together through ports on the hub. Selection of the router and hub is the time when you need to know the number of computers being connected. You should always buy a hub or router with about 20% more ports than you need. Once connected, each PC can communicate or share files with the other computers connected to the hub. Without the hub, each connection on each PC would require a NIC, this would quickly consume all open bus slots. Think of it as meeting at the coffee shop with friends instead of driving to each friend’s house separately.

5.Router: The router is the system’s traffic cop, constantly pointing out routes to be taken and directing traffic to specific network areas called sub-nets. (Most routers today will contain a built-in hub that has multiple ports) Without a router your system functionality would suffer greatly.

6.Cable/DSL routers: These devices are special routers that permit multiple computers to use a single cable/DSL Internet connection. To minimize ISP costs from obtaining multiple IP addresses, this specialized router assists the NAT protocol (Network Address Translation) in sharing a single IP address. Some ISP’s will provide this device for you so be sure to check before purchasing one yourself.

Once you have reviewed the information and terminology above, you will be ready to move on to determining the right network set-up for you in Part II of Building a Simple Home Network/Selecting Your Network.