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Home Networking Basics, part 2

What do I need, and why?

• In today’s world, you have several options. However, remember that you always need an antivirus program with up-to-date virus signatures and you need a firewall program.
• Be sure to review my Home Networking Security page for network diagrams and security implications.

• Ethernet patch cable = an 8-wire cable designed for networking, with "RJ-45" plugs on each end. The plugs are wired the same on both ends
• Ethernet crossover cable = similar, but the wiring is different. The wires connected as "transmit" and "receive" on one end are connected as "receive" and "transmit" on the other. This eliminates the need for a hub or switch to handle the hand-shake, but it only works for two computers.

The Minimum Cost option

• Your dialup connection.
• The Internet Connection Sharing software built into Windows.
• A couple of used 10 Mbit Ethernet cards (usually called 10-baseT cards) at about $2-$3 each and a "crossover cable" to connect the two cards (about $20 for 25’).
• You must manually set IP addresses and DNS (domain name server) addresses for your two-computer network, since you won't have a "DHCP server" on your "network."
• If you're running Windows XP, the "host computer," the one with the actual Internet connection, will act as a DHCP server for the other computer(s).

The Recommended Option
Wired network, with cable or DSL
and cable/DSL router

• A 10/100 or 10/100/1000 MBPS network interface card (NIC) or a USB-ethernet adapter for each computer ($10-$50). Sometimes, you can find 10/100 network cards that are $5 or even free after rebates.
• A Cable/DSL router, not a plain "hub" or "switch." These normally come with four Ethernet connections for the local area network (LAN) and one to go to the cable/dsl modem (wide area network = WAN). You could get one that has both wireless capabilities and Ethernet ports. ($40-$100)
• A Cable modem or DSL modem. The router does not replace the modem. (If you already have cable or DSL, you’ve got this already.)
• No special software required
• Ethernet connections, either 10/100 or 10/100/1000 Mbps, for each machine. These may be network interface cards (NICs), may be built onto the motherboards of your computers, or might be USB Ethernet adapters.
• Ethernet patch cables to connect the NIC’s or USB-ethernet adapters to the router and the router to the modem. The router-to-modem cable -- use the one that came with the modem for this connection.

Home Networking Basics, part 1 |  2 |  3 |  4 |  5 |  6

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