When computers first became available to the general public, it was rare for any home to have more than one unit, let alone a network of computers. But as modern technology became cheaper, more accessible and within the reach of everyone, tech-savvy homes are now linking up their laptops and plugging in their PCs into home networks.
What is a home network?
A home network is simply a method of allowing computers to communicate with one another. If you have two or more computers in your home, a network can let them share:
· Files and documents
· An Internet connection
· Printers, print servers and scanners
· Stereos, TVs and game systems
· CD burners
To set up a home network, you’ll need a few basic components including more than one computer, hardware such as a router and software, either built in to the operating system or as a separate application, to co-ordinate the exchange of information. You will also need a ‘path’ for the information to follow from one computer to another. This is usually supplied via a WiFi system. The two most popular home network types are wireless and Ethernet networks. In both of these types, the router does most of the work by directing the traffic between the connected devices. By connecting a router to your dial-up, DSL or cable modem, you can also allow multiple computers to share one connection to the Internet.
Any risks?
With any network, there are always risks. If all of your computers are connected to the same network, a virus uploaded onto one computer will infect all the other computers linked to the same system. This is why it is imperative that you install effective firewalls and anti-virus software into your network to protect your system from outside attacks.
Most routers combine wireless and Ethernet technology and also include a hardware firewall already built into the system, but you can increase your security by adding your own software protection. Software firewalls installed onto your computers block all incoming information by default and prompt you for permission to allow the information to pass. In this way, a software firewall can learn which types of information you want to allow into your network. It is advisable to regularly update your firewalls and anti-virus protection to keep hackers and malicious users at bay.
Ethernet and wireless networks each have advantages and disadvantages. Wired networks provide users with plenty of security and the ability to move lots of data very quickly. They are faster than wireless networks, and very affordable. However, with wired networks, the clue is in the name – you will have cables linking your network so if you’re not happy about a house full of cables to connect your system, a wireless WiFi network may be a better and more user friendly option. The system itself may be slower, particularly if a computer is further away from the main router, but you do cut down the amount of hardware and cables needed to create the network in the first place.
Wireless networks are more susceptible to interference in the radio waves due to walls and distance of networked computers from the wireless router, but do allow you the freedom to utilise the system anywhere in the house (or even outside in the garden). Wireless networks are by far the most popular home networking system, despite some drawbacks and as the technology improves and routers become more powerful, are becoming the networking option of choice for the majority of home users.
By: Alison Brundle
Posts Tagged ‘Home Networks’
Home Networking in the Digital Age
March 15th, 2010Posted in Article
Tags: Anti Virus Software Cable Modem Cd Burners Connecting A Router Dsl Or Cable Ethernet Networks Ethernet Technology Firewalls Game Systems Home Networking Home Networks Modern Technology Multiple Computers Own Software Print Servers Protection Software Share Files Share One Software Protection Stereos
Network Support Contracts Can Provide Personal Help
February 18th, 2010
Network support contracts are most commonly provided in the workplace to help maximize the efficiency of daily operations and also help professionals best keep their technology up and running. But students and others not using laptops for business purposes also need to be assured that their networking capabilities are insured. For these people, it may only take a few simple steps to get the peace of mind of a network support contract.
Keep Computers Running Under All Circumstances
A well-plotted and stable network will keep you connected at all times. The purpose of network support contracts is to keep your network running all the time, uninterrupted. If you have a reliable network infrastructure, you will be able to get to files you left at work off-site, any day and at any time. Using professional consultants as part of network support contracts allows companies to give employees access from anywhere. Having these consultants accessible to not only implement but also monitor these networking capabilities will help promote business growth and peace of mind.
Personal Networks
People using their computers at home often want to set up personalized networking options, but find themselves feeling alone sometimes when it comes to the network support contracts they find to help them. No matter how skilled you are at navigating the process of not only setting up but maintaining these at-home networks, you have probably found yourself in need of the extra support provided by a high quality network support contract.
Looking For Online Support
Those in academic and government arenas will typically get free network support contracts that help them connect to offices across the campus or between departments. Other people trying to set up networking capabilities can do speedy searches for network support contracts that will help them find Internet resources to trouble shoot when they need immediate or simple help. Online support contracts can provide a wonderful way to get personalized help particularly when balanced with in-person guidance.
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By: Joshua Feinberg
Posted in Article
Tags: Arenas Business Growth Business Purposes Free Contracts Help Network Home Networks Internet Resources Network Infrastructure Networking Capabilities Networking Options Peace Of Mind Personal Networks Professional Consultants Quality Network Reliable Network Simple Steps Speedy Searches Stable Network Support Contract Support Contracts
Do You Have Two Or More Computers in Your House? Create a Network in Your Home and Share Resources
November 18th, 2009
So the journey begins and our first stop is to establish the basics of a network. This Basic Networking guide will help you understand the following:
• The Hardware used to create a network
• The correct operating system to use on our network
• Understanding how networks work
So buckle up your seatbelt, here we go! Are home networks Complicated to set up? The short answer to the heading above is No. The long answer… Heck no!
Believe it or not, setting up a network in your home is not complicated by any means. All you need is a point in the right direction and a little guidance. Together with this Basic Networking guide we will create the best network for you and your family.
So, what’s a network?
Simply put, a network is when two or more computers are connected and sharing data. That’s it! Nothing more, nothing less. These computers can be connected in a variety of ways and we will touch on that a little later. What we want to do now is work out the type of network we need in our house.
Why do I need a network again?
There are a lot of benefits to having a network. If you have more than one computer in your house you really have no reason not to have them networked, and by networking them you will be able to:
• Share printers, CD-ROM drives and other removable drives between the computers.
• Eliminate having to transfer files from one computer to another using a floppy (do they still exist?) or CD-ROM and share files directly between PCs. ( a great advantage if you are lazy like me)
• A huge benefits is you can share your internet connection with the other computers in your home
• Store only a single copy of large files, saving space on the other PCs’ hard drives.
Fantastic, how do I get started? Whoa there! Before we can start anything we need to plan first. “Plan?” I hear you say. Yes, plan! Building a network is a kin to building a house; we need a strong foundation to build upon. I can hear the groans already! You will be thanking me later.
There are two types of schemes you can use in a Network; Client/server network and peer to peer.
In the client/server network, you have one computer that acts as the server (the manager of the network or files), which controls the way other computers (known as clients) access the network, whether that being file sharing or running a program. Servers play a very important role on this particular type of network
Most home networks are based on the peer to peer Network, which has more relaxed controls thus is a better network for you and your family.
Operating Systems
This basic Networking guide assumes your operating system (OS) is at the very least windows 98 Second Edition. Although Windows XP would be preferable it’s not a requirement. The reason for this is because networking was built to function from the ground up in windows 98 SE to windows XP. The following OS will work perfectly with networking:
• Windows XP
• Windows 2000
• Windows NT
• Windows ME
• Windows 98 SE (Second Edition)
Also all these OS versions have a pretty little nifty tool on them known as Internet Connection Sharing. This allows all computers to share the internet, so while you are reading an e-mail on your laptop, your kid can be checking out their facebook page on the PC.
Each computer must have a Network interface card otherwise known in short form as a NIC. Traditionally a NIC is a little electronic card that goes inside your computer right on its mother board, I use the term traditionally as not all NICs are cards anymore, and we now have network adapters that are connected via USB (Universal Serial Bus).
How to Connect – Cables, wires or thin air?
Now we must decide the type of connections we will use to connect our computers. This is very important as the type of connection we use will affect the speed that data travels across the network. Why is speed important? Well waiting a long time for a file to open in a software application or for a file to be copied from one machine to another can be very frustrating to put it mildly. We have four different ways to connect our PC’s, each have their own advantages. Let’s look at them shall we?
Ethernet Cables
• The connection type of choice for many businesses. Fast and reliable
• Can carry data up to1000 mbps across a network depending on the rated speed of the NIC cards
• Used by most businesses to connect their computers
• Though similar looking to telephone wire, it is designed to carry data unlike telephone wire which was designed to carry voice
• You will need a concentrator (we will get to this later,) to use Ethernet cable.
• The connector at the end of the cable looks like the connector at the end of your telephone cable, but it’s actually slightly fatter.
Telephone Line
• Connect each computer’s NIC (has to be a Telephone-cable NIC. Have you visited the NIC page yet?) to the telephone wall jack using a regular phone cable.
• Telephone cable is inexpensive and is available every where, including your super market
• Networking process uses part of the line voice communication doesn’t, so you can still make calls whilst on the network
• Can transmits data up to 10mbps
• Is increasing with popularity.
• You will need a splitter for telephone wall jacks, to use your phone in the same jack
• If you have multiple lines in your house, all computers must be connected on the same line (same number)
Wireless connections
• No wires to trip over
• A very popular choice
• Best used on Windows XP, so would be best option to have all PC running XP
• Requires network adaptor that can receive and send wirelessly.
• Frequency can travel roughly 150 feet, passing through ceilings, walls and floors.
By: Emanuel Osei
Posted in Article
Tags: Basic Networking Building A House Cd Rom Drives Guidance Heading Home Networks Internet Connection Journey Networking Guide Operating System Removable Drives Right Direction Saving Space Seatbelt Setting Up A Network Share Files Share Printers Share Resources Short Answer Strong Foundation
