Home Network Wiring and Setup - Chapter 2
Configuring the Hardware
So what do you need and how do you hook everything
up? Here are examples of several setups.
Basic Network with 1 Hub or Switch -
This is about as simple a configuration as you can get.
With this you can have all of your PC networked together and enjoy all
of the benefits that affords you. In the next page 'Home
Network Wiring and Setup - Chapter 3' I'll briefly describe
Hubs and Switches and the Uplink port.
Basic Network with 2 Hubs or Switches -
This is still a pretty basic configuration. It shows
how to use multiple Hubs or Switches to give you more ports.
Network with Broadband at the CWP and 2 Hubs or Switches -
This configuration adds Broadband access. If you have
broadband access in any form such as high speed cable, DSL or whatever
you'll need some form of Broadband Modem. Most of these modems come as
a stand alone device or as a plug-in PC card. For a networked home the
stand alone device makes the most logical configuration because it
will operate independently of any one PC. Locate this broadband modem
at the CWP. Now there are MANY manufacturers of these Hubs, Switches
and Modem devices and they will likely label their input/output
connections differently than I have in these drawings. These drawings
just show a generic configuration.
Network with Broadband at the CWP and a Router/Switch and 2 Hubs or
Switches -
This configuration adds an ALL IMPORTANT Broadband
Router/Switch to your Broadband access. This Broadband Router/Switch
adds an important security feature to your network - a Hardware
Firewall. This Router will also allow several of your PC's to share
one IP address. Without a Router most ISP's will charge you extra for
each PC that is sharing their broadband access. The router will allow
you to avoid these extra charges. If you have broadband access -
GET A ROUTER! They are easy to hookup and are relatively cheap
(around $100) and getting cheaper.
There are Many More Configurations Possible -
These are examples of just a few configurations to get
you started and to help explain the concept of these various network
devices. The next page will briefly describe these devices.
For more on this checkout these links:
HowStuffWorks.com - How Home Networks Work - http://www.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm
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