There are many different network permutations that are possible for your home network and I am going to cover the three most common scenarios.
- Home wired network and standard Broadband Router.
- Home Network using Wireless Access point and standard Broadband Router.
- Home network using Wireless Broadband Router
Home Wired Network and Standard Broadband Router
This is a common configuration in older/existing networks. The Internet connection uses a standard ADSL broadband router.
The home network side of the router is Ethernet. Most routers also function as hub and will allow multiple Ethernet devices (computers) to connect.
You can also connect an external hub/switch to the Router to increase the number of devices you can connect.
The client computers can then connect to each other and the Internet.
Here is the logical network diagram for this type of network:
To setup this type of network you will need to
- Setup the Broadband Router
- Setup the Client computers/devices to use Ethernet
Home Network using Wireless Access Point and Standard Broadband Router.
This is a common configuration in older/existing networks. The Internet connection uses a standard DSL broadband router.
The home network side of the router is Ethernet. Most routers also function as hub and will allow multiple Ethernet devices (computers) to connect.
In this scenario you connect the router to the Wireless access point using an Ethernet cable and the client computers connect to the Access point using wireless.
The client computers can then connect to each other and the Internet. Here is the logical network diagram for this type of network.
To setup this type of network you will need to
- Setup the Broadband Router
- Setup the Client computers to use Wireless
Home Network using Wireless Broadband Router
Many broadband providers provide a Wireless broadband router as part of the service. This means that not only do you get an internet connection but you get a home wireless network in a single box.
In a wireless network the Router and Hub are replaced by a Wireless router which provides the same functionality.
The client computers can then connect to each other and the Internet via the wireless router. Here is the logical network diagram for this type of network.
The wireless router effectively is a router and Wireless Access point in one box.
To setup this type of network you need to:
- Setup the Wireless Router
- Setup the Client computers to use Wireless
Video- setting up a Home/Home Office Network and connecting to the Internet- (physical set up)
Related Articles and Resources
- Home Wired Network Basics
- Understanding Hubs and Switches
- Using the Ping Command to test your network by Pinging IP addresses.
- Finding IP Address-How to Find the IP Address of a windows Computer
- Internet and Networking Components- Internet and Networking Components for connecting to the Internet.
- Wireless Internet Connections
- Wi-Fi and Wireless Networking
- Wireless Setup on Network Devices
