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Overview |
Modern home networks are constructed based on 10-Base T or 100-Base
TX, 1000-Base T, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n. Devices
communicate with each other via a hub, switch, or wireless access
point. This creates a star topology. In a wired network, any
connection can be severed without bringing down the whole network.
With wireless, there are no physical connections to be severed. |
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10-Base T / 100-Base TX/ 1000-Base T |
10-Base T or 100-Base TX networks are usually constructed with a hub.
A hub is a central networking device that allows several computers to
be connected to a network simultaneously. If you are only networking
two computers together, you can get away with a crossover cable
between them and do away with the hub. However, hubs are so cheap and
common, it is better to make the investment in one. Cables are
utilize straight through, as it does the crossing for you. Two
disadvantages to hubs are the potential for collisions and the rated
bandwidth has to be shared among all active ports. |
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Switches connect 10-Base T, 100-Base TX, and/or 1000-Base T networks
Non-managed switches are the most common. The most prominent
advantages to having a switched network are the separation of
network collisions (they are virtually non-existent) and aggregate
bandwidth (i.e. each and every port can possibly transmit in full
duplex at the rated speed). Managed switches provide additional
features, such as shutting down individual ports, creating VLANs,
and using a web-based interface to help with monitoring and
troubleshooting network activity. |
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Wireless |
Wireless networks are fast becoming the choice for home networks. The
idea of having complete mobility with networked computing devices is a
very appealing idea to the average user. Wireless networks can grow
with little or no effort in predetermined organization. The common
hardware needed is one wireless network card per systema and an access
point. Wireless gateway / routers for broadband networks are making
a great choice for the access point. |
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One limitation to wireless, however, is security. Although advances
have been made in encryption of data, there is always the possibility
that someone could conduct "war driving," which involves someone
sniffing out wireless networks and tapping them for resources or
Internet use. Another limitation is speed: 802.11a networks are
limited to 22 Mbps, 802.11b networks to 11 Mbps, 802.11g networks to
54 Mbps, and 802.11n networks to 108 Mbps. However, advancements
have been made to allow duplexing wireless networks to provide as
much as 300 Mbps of bandwidth. Distance and physical objects (i.e.
walls) are problems, too, as the speed drops when moving farther from
the access point. |
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10-Base 2 |
Another older, still usable option is a 10-Base 2 network. This type
uses a bus topology, where a continuous coax cable runs from one
computer to the next. 10-Base 2 networks provide a cheap alternative
to relatively small networks due to the minimal cost of hardware. The
computers at the very ends of the cabling line have terminators on
them. Systems in between the ends use "T" connectors to branch off
each system. 10-Base 2 networks have two disadvantages. First, if
there is a break in the line between any two computers, the entire
network goes down. Second, the network is limited to 10 Mbps. There
are no future provisions to increase the speed of this network
type. |
10-Base T or 100-Base TX networks are usually constructed with a hub.
A hub is a central networking device that allows several computers to
be connected to a network simultaneously. If you are only networking
two computers together, you can get away with a crossover cable
between them and do away with the hub. However, hubs are so cheap and
common, it is better to make the investment in one. Cables are
utilize straight through, as it does the crossing for you. Two
disadvantages to hubs are the potential for collisions and the rated
bandwidth has to be shared among all active ports.
Wireless networks are fast becoming the choice for home networks. The
idea of having complete mobility with networked computing devices is a
very appealing idea to the average user. Wireless networks can grow
with little or no effort in predetermined organization. The common
hardware needed is one wireless network card per systema and an access
point. Wireless gateway / routers for broadband networks are making
a great choice for the access point.
Another older, still usable option is a 10-Base 2 network. This type
uses a bus topology, where a continuous coax cable runs from one
computer to the next. 10-Base 2 networks provide a cheap alternative
to relatively small networks due to the minimal cost of hardware. The
computers at the very ends of the cabling line have terminators on
them. Systems in between the ends use "T" connectors to branch off
each system. 10-Base 2 networks have two disadvantages. First, if
there is a break in the line between any two computers, the entire
network goes down. Second, the network is limited to 10 Mbps. There
are no future provisions to increase the speed of this network
type.