Basic Components of a Home Network

Computers | NIC | Hub| Switch | Router | Cabling

A basic home network includes two or more computers (PCs and laptops), Network Interface Cards (NICs), hubs and/or switches, and network cabling. All of these basic components make it possible for the computers and devices to communicate with each other.

PCs and/or Laptops: You will need two or more PCs and/or laptops that you use in your home.

Network Interface Cards (NICs): As their name implies, NICs enable your PC to interface and connect to a network. NIC cards plug into desktops (PCI interface) and laptops (PCMCIA interface) and can be either wired or wireless. In the case of a wired connection, the NIC connects and communicates over Ethernet cable to an Ethernet hub (see definition below). In the wireless scenario, the NIC connects and communicates over wireless radio frequencies to a wireless access point. This connection enables the sending and receiving of data between the PC and other devices on the network.

Finally, NICs can be either internal or external. Internal NICs are housed inside desktop PCs and are inserted into PCMCIA slots in laptops. External NICs can be plugged into a USB port in either a desktop or laptop computer.

With the rising popularity of Ethernet networking, many new computers come with NIC cards built-in.

Hub: The hub is the central connection point for all devices in a network. PCs and devices are connected to the hub using network cable (see definition below) that plugs into ports on the hub. When one PC sends data to another PC on the network, all information travels through the hub. Imagine the hub as the hub of a bicycle wheel, connecting all the spokes together. The hub takes data from the sending PC and broadcasts it to all PCs on the network. Receiving PCs only pay attention to data that is addressed to them. A good analogy for how this works is a room full of people who are talking. People will only pay attention to conversation that is directed at them personally, even though they can hear conversation happening around them.

A network hub can have anywhere from 4 to 16 ports, that connect to the cables from all of the networked computers. Hubs also range in speed. The hub's total speed, also called bandwidth, is usually either 10 or 100 Mega bits per second (Mbps).

Switch: A switch looks the same, and performs the same functions as a hub with one difference. Instead of forwarding data from the sending PC to all the PCs on the network, the switch can determine exactly who the intended receiver is, and send the data to only that PC. This functionality is much more efficient than a hub, and therefore speeds up data transmission over the entire network.

Router: A router is a device that is used to route, or direct, internet traffic from a high-speed internet connection across a network. Most routers these days, particularly those used within the home environment, have a switching hub built right into them. A typical configuration of a router would see your high-speed internet connection plugged into a port at the back of the device, with 4 or more ports at the front or back allowing you to plug your other computers or laptops into them. This way, once configured, any computer on your local network can access the same internet connection irrespective of which other computers are switched on or not. Naturally, the all of the computers on this network will have the same inter-connectivity as explained above under "hub".

There are many benefits of having a router to share your internet connection over your network. As mentioned above, no particular computer needs to be left on to access an always-on internet connection. You will also benefit from the knowledge that the outside world thinks your router is the computer that is connected to the internet. With the built in security features of modern routers, you will be safe in the knowledge that your important files will be well out of harm's way. You will also be able to filter out unwanted content, and restrict certain types of sites that you may wish certain people not to have access too. Nearly all modern home network setups will have a router.

Network Cabling: Cabling is the physical connection that enables data to travel between PCs, Hubs, and other devices. Network cable is plugged into the Ethernet port on the NIC and is connected to the Ethernet port on the hub or switch. Using the bicycle wheel analogy, network cable is the spoke of the wheel, connecting the hub to the individual PCs. Cables can be either standard pass-through (for connecting PCs to Hubs/Switches), or cross-over (connecting 2 PCs directly without the use of a hub). Cross-over cables cannot be used for connecting PCs to hubs or switches. It is only ever used when connecting two PCs directly together between NIC cards.

The most widely used type of network cabling is called Category 5 (Cat5) cable. Cat5 cable looks similar to regular telephone cable, but there are several differences between the two. Cat5 cable is thicker, and has better insulation than phone cable in order to protect against interference and make the cable more durable. In addition, the connectors on Cat5 cable are larger than telephone cable connectors. These connectors are referred to as "RJ-45" connectors, while telephone cables use "RJ-11" connectors.

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