Simply Build Home Network

Even now that multiple computers within a single home are common, some people have relatively uncomplicated needs for their home networks. The systems are often not networked, with file transfer being done by means of “sneaker net”, or copying files to and from a CD or by sending files via email.

This is a great time to build your own home network, if you have always wanted to. The costs and the complexity of the systems are lower than ever. Just getting past the technical terminology used is the biggest barrier for many new home network builders. The equipment you’ll need is pretty simple. You’re going to need Cat-5 (or Ethernet) cables for a wired network.

Think about where you plan to set up your computers to determine how much cable you’re going to need and then add on about 1/5 more cable than that you always need a little more than you think. If you plan to build a wireless network, you can skip the cables.

You’ll also need a switch or a router for all of these cables (or radio waves if it’s a wireless network) to connect to. A hub or a switch is just a box with ports to plug cables into a switch has slightly more functionality than does a hub.

A router is better and can handle internet connection sharing; it is almost a must for a home network. I say almost because you can use one of the computers on your network to handle internet connection sharing. However, it is in most cases far easier to just use a router instead of tying up a lot of the resources of one of your computers dealing with connection sharing.