In order to build a home/home office network and connect that
network to the Internet requires that you purchase some networking devices.
There are different ways of connecting components together and
so if you have a hub for example you probably don’t need a switch.
Here we look at the various components and their functions starting with a short video showing the basics components to create a home network using a BT Home Hub router.
DSL Modem- converts digital signals into analogue signals
suitable for sending over a telephone line. It is usually built
into the Internet/broadband router and not normally purchased as a separate
component.
DSL/Broadband Filter- Used to filter out DSL signals from
telephone signals so that you can access the internet and use the
telephone simultaneously.
Firewall -functions like a router and generally what you use
is firewall/NAT router combination in which a single device acts
as a NAT router and firewall. With a firewall you have an extra
level of control as you can also control what device/computers are
allowed to connect to the Internet and what applications are
allowed to connect as well
Hub – Connects two or more computers together being replace
today by the switch. See Understanding Hubs and Switches
ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)- Allows you to share an Internet connection with other computers on a Local/home Network.
It requires that one computer be designated as the sharing
computer (the computer with the Internet connection). This computer functions effectively as a NAT Router and must be left switched on for the other computers to access the Internet.
NAT Router – In home/SOHO networks (as opposed to large corporation networks) the router uses NAT (Network Address Translation). NAT effectively isolates your home network from the Internet in a backwards direction. See Internet security for more details.
Switch- Connects two or more computers together used today in
preference to a hub.
See Understanding Hubs and Switches
Wireless Access Point-Connects wireless devices to an Ethernet network and to each other. Effectively does the same job as a hub/switch but for wireless devices.
Wireless Router- Connects wireless devices to each other and the Internet. Wireless routers also provide NAT (Network Address translation) services. Many wireless routers (e.g. BT Home Hub) provide built in Ethernet hubs.
UTP Cables
Ranges from cat5 to cat6. Older Installations will use cat5 and newer ones cat6 which is designed for higher speeds. Here is a good video covering the differences.
Wiki On cat6 cable and cat 5.
Ethernet crossover cable
Used to connect two computers together without requiring a hub/switch. It is also used for connecting older hubs/switches in cascade. Not normally required today as the newer hubs/switches use auto detect and can switch modes.
See Wiki on Ethernet crossover cable and Medium dependent interface
Related Articles and Resources
- Understanding MAC Addresses
- 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
- Wireless Internet Connections
- Wi-Fi and Wireless Networking
- Wireless Setup on Network Devices
