How to make a simple home Network

Why make a network ??

If you have multiple computers at home, a network serves several purposes.
o

o o o o

You can transfer files between the computers. Ever downloaded a large file then tried to install it on the other computer ?? Oh, yes floppies and pkzip will do -but slow. A zip drive will do it easily but not inexpensively. A network is fast an easy. You only have a CD-ROM in one computer. How do you install the programs from the CD-ROM on the other. You can physically move the CD-ROM!! A network will let you do it easily Backup - lots of files and lots of floppies or maybe even lots of Zips. Why not back up to a Hard Drive on the other computer. A network will let you do it. Sharing Hard Drive space. You can share files between the two computers and the Hard Drive in the other(s) becomes an extension of your computer. Only one printer ?? Well, with a network all the computers can print to the same printer. Only one phone line for Internet ?? With a network you can share the modem and actually have both connected using the same modem (same connection obviously) with a network. This does require a proxy server with WIN95\98. WIN98SE includes ICS which will let you do it.. Basically, by networking the computers, you can share resources, share drives, share printers, share CD-ROM drives and gain a lot of benefits. It is easy and it is quite cheap.

You want to try it - Go for it !!

Here are some basic considerations and planning steps:.

You will need to install a network card in each computer. What type of spare slots do you have ?? ISA or PCI. Generally, I would prefer PCI cards but they tend to be a bit more expensive. You need to decide whether you want to use the newer 100Mbs cards or the older 10Mbs. For a home network 10Mbs is good enough and it is a lot cheaper. Furthermore, 10Mbs is faster than many Hard Drives you may have, thus it will never limit you unless you have quite a few computers using the network at the same time You need to decide how to connect the network cards together. What type wiring to use ?? We will connect through RJ45(10Base-T). The RJ45 looks like a telephone wire with a connector (snap in type) similar to the telephone one except they have 8 wires while a telephone one has fewer. This type wiring requires a hub (you can get a special wire and not use a hub with two computers). The BNC is a coaxial cable and looks just like the one used for TV. If you use 100Mbs you need to use CATV RJ45 type wiring. Either one have its advantages and

disadvantages. It is important to choose since some of the Network cards only has one of the two types. A lot have both so either can be used. My preference for a simple Home network is to use BNC since it does not require a hub and it is cheaper. UPDATE: Since I wrote this the price of 100 Mbs cards have gone down. Presently they are the preferred choice. I would also include a hub and use CATV or better wiring.

Wall plates and snap in fittings are available for both types. There are also snap in fittings available for the wall plates that will fit regular phone and TV wiring. Thus if you want to build it in you can. There are Networking Kits available which will give you a couple of network cards, some cabling, the connectors and hub if using RJ45 for reasonable prices around $90 and up for BNC. It is more expensive for RJ45. My suggestion for a simple start is a networking kit. They are available with a small hub and tow network cards. You can also just get a couple of 100Mbs Network cards and some CATV wiring. All the software you need is built into Win95\win98. You can get network cards for as little as $20 a piece. Now that you have decided to do it - let's set it up !!!

What Is Home Networking :A home network or home area network (HAN) is a residential local area network (LAN)[citation needed] for communication between digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices. An important function is the sharing of Internet access, often a broadband service provisioned by fiber-to-the-home or via Cable Internet access, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or mobile broadband by Internet service providers (ISPs). If an ISP only provides one IP address, a router including network address translation (NAT), proxy server software and typically a network firewall, allows several computers to share the external IP address. The router function may be assumed by a PC with several network interfaces, but a dedicated router device is more common, often including a wireless accesspoint, providing WiFi access.

Physical transmission media

Home networks may use wired or wireless technologies. Wired systems typically use shielded or unshielded twisted pair cabling, such as any of the Category 3 (CAT3) through Category 6 (CAT6) classes, but may also be implemented with coaxial cable, or over the existing electrical power wiring within homes.
Wireless radio Further information: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and HomeRF

One of the most common ways of creating a home network is by using wireless radio signal technology; the 802.11 network as certified by the IEEE. Most products that are wireless-capable operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz under 802.11b and 802.11g or 5 GHz under 802.11a. Some home networking devices operate in both radio-band signals and fall within the standard 802.11n. A wireless network can be used for communication between many electronic devices, to connect to the Internet or to wired networks that use Ethernet technology. Wi-Fi is a marketing and compliance certification for IEEE 802.11 technologies.[2] The WiFi Alliance has tested compliant products certifies them for interoperability.

Challenges [edit] Wireless signal loss

The wireless signal strength may not be powerful enough to cover the entire house or may not be able to get through to all floors of multiple floor residences.
[edit] Wired background noise

One of the largest challenges posed for those that wanted to utilize the home electrical system for networking is how to combat other electrical noise that would be present due to the use of a power outlet to transfer information. Whenever any appliance is turned on or turned off it creates noise that could possibly dissrupt data transfer through the wiring. IEEE products past the HomePlug 1.0 stage have combated this problem and no longer interfere with, or receive interference from, other devices plugged into a power outlet.[4]
"Leaky" WiFi

WiFi often extends beyond the boundaries of a home and can create coverage where it is least wanted, allowing a way for people to compromise a system and retrieve personal data. The usual way to combat this is by the use of authentication, encryption, or VPN that requires a password to access the WiFi.[