Home Networking Guide

1. Network benefits
2. Wired networking
3. Wireless networking
4. Setting up your home network

1. Network benefits

Not too long ago, setting up a home network would have been considered a seriously geeky thing to do, strickly for technophiles and computer experts. Today though, with everyone needing more time online, more people are seeing the advantages of sharing their Internet access instead of their computer. If you are tired of waiting for the kids to finish their homework before you can check your email, or simply want the convenience of using the Internet from the sofa instead of the study, this guide is for you.

2.Wired networks

The old fashioned type that uses cables to connect your computers and Internet service together.



The most common layout for a simple wired network uses a broadband router, setup close to your broadband enabled telephone. Cables are run from the router's Ethernet ports to your computers or laptops. There are a number of devices you can use to share your broadband service between a number of computers. The most common are described below.

Key Terms

Ethernet
	Every device that connects to a wired network needs an Ethernet port. It looks very similar to a telephone socket. There is often a little symbol next to the port to help you identify it as a Ethernet port.
Network Card (NIC)
	Most new computers and laptops come with a built-in Ethernet port, however, you may need to add one by installing a network card. These are plugged into your computer using a free PCI expansion slot. Most network cards have two lights next to the port. One light comes on to indicate that a network connection is detected. The other light will flash when data is being sent through the connection. Most network cards offer two or three modes Half-Duplex, Full-Duplex and Auto. Full-Duplex offers better performance if your other network equipment also supports the mode. Auto will allow your network card to detect which is the correct mode to use.
Network cable
	Ethernet network cable is known as a CAT-5 cable, and uses an RJ-45 plug. If you only want to connect two computers together, and want to so at minimum cost, you can use a special type of network cable called a crossover cable. A crossover cable can connect two computers together, without the need for a network device such as a router, switch or hub.
Hubs & Switches
	Hubs and network switches are used in a wired network to connect devices together. Switches do so more intelligently, providing better speeds. Hubs and switches aren't used in networks with only wireless connections, since wireless devices can communicate directly with one another (in ad-hoc mode). You can connect a number of devices to a hub or switch up to the number of ports that it has. It is always a good idea to get more ports than you think you need. More devices like Printers and Portable Hard Drives are becoming available that can plug into your network device instead of your computer, which makes them easier to share on a network.
Routers
	A router is like a network switch, but is able to connect devices from different networks. To connect to your broadband service you will need a broadband router. Which will connect to your telephone socket and provide a direct connection with your broadband service. Older broadband routers may still need a broadband modem to connect to your broadband. Also, some broadband routers will only provide a single Ethernet port, in which case you will need to attach a hub or switch to this port to allow mulitple computers to connect to your network.

Wired Benefits

• Reliable, well established technology
• Generally faster connection speeds
• No security concerns

Wired Pitfalls

• You need to lay cables
• Cables can wear and become unreliable, especially if they are not properly layed.
• If you run out of network ports, you'll need to replace or buy additional hardware

3. Wireless networks

Wireless networks use short range radio signals to connect computers, providing more freedom and flexibility than wired networks.



The most common layout is for a wireless router to be connected to your broadband enabled phone socket. Each computer that you wish to connect to the network should then be fitted with a wireless adapter card. It is always a good idea to set up a wireless network with everything close together. Once you know that everything is working, you can move equipment to the location from where you intend to use it. Any connection problems that appear are likely to be the result of radio interference or range problems.

Key Terms

WiFi
	WiFi (short for Wireless Fidelity) is family of network standards that will show if wireless devices will work together. New standards are appearing all the time, and most of them will work with the earlier standards. The most common are - 802.11b - The most widespread standard, it was cheaper to operate and more reliable than 802.11a 802.11g - Is an extension of the 802.11b standard, offering better connection speeds. It will also work with equipment that use the 802.11b standard.
Wireless Network Adapters
	Wireless network adapters are fitted to computers, laptops or PDAs so that they can connect to a wireless network. You can get PCI card type adapters that are plugged into a PC's expansion port. There are laptop card or USB versions that are easier to fit. Many laptops and PDAs now come with a wireless network adapter built into them. This is often indicated by the presence of the WiFi logo, shown above.
Wireless Access Points
	A wireless access point is used to comment wireless devices (such as a PC with a wireless adapter) to a wired network. If you already have a 'wires' based network, it may be possible to get the benefits of wireless by fitting a wireless access point. See our guide to connecting a wireless access point.
Wireless Routers
	A wireless broadband router lets wireless devices (such as a PC or Laptop with a wireless adapter) connect to your broadband service. Wireless routers connect to your telephone socket, in the same way that a modem or wired router does. See our guide to connecting up a wireless router.
Add-on Wireless Antennas & Signal Boosters
	A router is like a network switch, but is able to connect devices from different networks. Broadband routers - these should connect to your telephone socket and provide a direct connection with your broadband service. Older broadband routers may still need a broadband modem to connect to your broadband. Also, some broadband routers will only provide a single Ethernet port, in which case you will need to add a hub or switch to allow mulitple computers to connect to your network.

Benefits

• Very flexible - use your computers almost anywhere
• It offers great expandability as you can add more users to your network very easily.
• It is tidy, no wires to trip over.
• You may improve your broadband connection by avoiding the use of bad internal wiring.

Pitfalls

• Not usually as fast as advertised - wireless equipment doesnt often reach the maximum speeds listed for the WiFi protocol.
• In some circumstances wireless can be unreliable.
• Needs to be secured

4. Setting up your home network

If you need help setting up a wired network, see our Guide to setting up a wired network

For help with setting up a wireless network, see our Guide to setting up a wireless network

Connect games console to your broadband service - Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360