Archive for December, 2009
December 17th, 2009 | 
Author: The basics of home networking.
You don’t have to be a computer guru or hire the geek squad to enjoy .
What is a network? A group of connected computers or devices connected together to share resources.
By resources, I mean Printers, Shared folders on other PC’s, share internet connections, stream music, play games, make phone calls, share video and more. I personally do to play games but I have grandkids that do so I also have an Xbox360 and a Playstation 3 system. The Xbox I use as what is called a media center extender. You can also purchase a dedicated media center extender but they are usually more expensive than an XBOX 360. I know I told you I do not play games, so why would I want an XBOX?
I use the Xbox to extend my media center PC, which has a TV tuner card in it, to record TV programs, and then stream them over my network to my XBOX360 connected to my TV. I never worry about missing a show and also have a huge selection of shows to occupy the kids.
Your home network can be wired using UTP (unshielded twisted pair) or wireless. What’s better? Always wired, but that is not always easy to accomplish in an existing home so you will probably be looking at a (wireless router.)
Note: This is Home Networking 101 so I may introduce some terms that maybe unfamiliar to you but stay with me as we add additional materials to the site hopefully things will make sense.
The wireless router is what not only makes wireless communication possible in your home, but also allows you to share internet connectivity. If you want to go the wired way, you will still need a router but it need not be wireless. Most wireless routers, however will have a built in 4 port switch for your wired devices and most all new PC’s have what is called a RJ45 (Registered Jack) connector that is the physical connection to your NIC card, pronounced “NICK”, installed in your PC. Don’t worry if you have an older PC that does not have a NIC card, a quick trip to Walmart and $20 will get you one. If you want to go the wireless way the NIC may run around $40. If you have a fairly new (with 2-5years) old notebook, it probably already has wireless in it.
The link I am going to give you is a very good and covers much of the basic information.
In my next post I will be covering Wireless s Security expanding on the video contained in the link.
http://www.linksys.com/flash/learn_networking/1_1.html
Until then, God Bless and be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed or bookmark this site.
Dan
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