A computer network for my home? Why and how?
By Parrish Reinoehl of Pathfinder Networks
August 2004
Many people may wonder what this new home networking buzz is all about. You might be wondering just what a home network is and why you may want one. In this month’s article I will try to shed some light on those questions and even discuss a few different types of technology often used in home networks.
A home network is not all that different from a corporate network- at least when function is considered. A network, be it a corporate or home network, is a means by which you can share computer resources amongst more than one user or computer. Simply put, a network allows more than one computer to access devices such as printers, hard drive space, and even an Internet connection.
Typically for home users, the biggest reason for having a network is to share a single Internet connection. This can be a dial-up modem connection, DSL, Cable, or even Satellite connection. For example, assume you have a DSL connection from your local telephone company connected to the PC in your home office. However, you also have a PC in your den and your teenage children may also have their own PC. Wouldn’t it be nice to use this same DSL connection for all the computers in your home- and all at the same time? A home network allows you to do just that!
There are quite a few technologies currently available used to build a home network. The most reliable and secure option uses cable similar to standard telephone wire- Category 5 (or CAT-5) cable. This is a small cable made of 8 individual copper wires twisted in such a way as to filter out electrical interference from appliances, lights etc. If your network is built using CAT-5 cable, you will need to have this cable run to each room that a PC would be located. The opposite end of each cable is then run to a basement, closet, or some other convenient location where the network equipment is located. Special connectors that appear similar to telephone jacks are then attached to each end of this wire. The closet will contain specialized equipment such as an Internet router, hub or switch, and maybe even a firewall. On your PC’s end, a patch cable would run from your PC’s network card (most new PC’s come preconfigured with network cards) to the CAT-5 jack in your wall. When more than one PC is connected and correctly configured to your network, you will then be able to share your Internet connection, printers, and even hard drive storage. The downside to a network built using CAT-5 cable is that this wire needs to be run within the walls of your home. In homes currently under construction, adding CAT-5 cable is a very affordable project to undertake. In existing homes, the labor cost associated with installing the cable can sometimes add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Another common network option is to use wireless, or WiFi, equipment. A wireless network has some distinct advantages and disadvantages over a wired network. The advantages are that the installation of a wireless network is often much easier and less expensive than CAT-5 cable and you will be able to use your PC or laptop in almost any part of your home- even outside on the deck. The disadvantages are that the network speed is slower (although new technologies are changing this), the wireless signal may be blocked by walls in your home, wireless hardware may need to be installed on each PC, the software used to configure the wireless network can be confusing to use, and there can be severe security issues caused by the wireless signal traveling outside the range of your home. For example, if you have a wireless network in your home and do not have your security settings configured correctly, your neighbor or someone parked outside your home could easily connect to your wireless network and access your Internet connection or even files on your PC’s. When wireless connections are configured correctly this security risk is substantially diminished.
Other technologies used to create a home network use the existing wiring in your home- be it the electrical wiring or telephone wiring. These options are not as common as CAT-5 or wireless, but they do work. This technology requires equipment that will plug in to your AC outlet or phone jack and will piggy-back the network signal on to your existing wiring. Networks built with this type of equipment are, generally, more secure than those using wireless equipment. However, getting this equipment to work can sometimes be very difficult to accomplish. Also, if you ever decide to add another computer to your network at a later time, it may be difficult- or impossible to purchase another network adapter that is compatible with your current equipment. CAT-5 and wireless networks do not have this restriction as they are both built using strict standards that require different manufacturer’s equipment to work with each other.
There are other things to consider in a home network, such as Internet security, that I have not discussed in detail. Qualified professionals, such as those at Pathfinder Networks, can help you to sort out your home network options and can even build an affordable system perfect for your needs. A properly built and configured home network can revolutionize the way you use the PC’s in your home.
About the Author:
Parrish Reinoehl is President of Pathfinder Networks; a Cassopolis based Technology consulting firm specializing in providing affordable computer services to small businesses and home users including networks, PC support, sales, and service. Pathfinder Networks can be reached at 269-684-7696 or via email at parrish@pathfindernetworks.us.
Pathfinder Networks website is http://www.pathfindernetworks.us
© Pathfinder Networks, LLC