Computers make such powerful tools in part because they let us communicate with other people and devices, and they owe this capability to networks. Sure, a computer can create documents, programs, and music and video files, but one of its strengths is the ability to transfer those files to another person’s computer or send documents to a remote printer. A network is a group of computers and other devices that connect to each other via cables or wireless links, creating a system of connected devices that is more useful than any single computer.
Computers can take advantage of a variety of network types. The Internet, for example, is a global network that lets millions of computers send emails and other communications to each other. We’ll discuss a few network types that you’ll find in homes and offices, as well as on people.
 LAN (Local-Area Network) |
D-Link’s DWL-G700AP High-Speed Wireless Access Point 802.11g can plug into a wired network (it can plug into one of a router’s Ethernet ports via an included Ethernet cable, for example) to turn a common wired network into a wired/wireless network. |
When you create a network that lets nearby computers and devices communicate with each other, you’ve created a LAN (local-area network). Some LANs have servers, which are computers that direct data traffic between the network’s other computers, while other LANs have switches or routers, which also help data find its way from one computer to another. You can also create a LAN by connecting two computers directly to each other. If you have teenage children, you may have heard the term “LAN party,” which refers to a party in which several people gather at a location (such as someone’s basement or a hotel) and network their computers together (often with a server), so they can play games with each other. You’ll find LANs in homes and offices.
Cables. Ethernet cables form the backbone of many LANs because they can transfer data quickly from one device to the next. Articles that refer to Ethernet cables in wired networks (especially wired home networks) are usually referring to standard Ethernet cables that can transfer data from 10Mbps (megabits per second) to 100Mbps.
Each end of an Ethernet cable has an RJ-45 connector, which resembles a phone cord plug (known as an RJ-11 connector). As with the phone cord connector, an Ethernet cable’s connector includes a small, plastic latch that secures the plug inside your network adapter’s receptacle (also known as an Ethernet port).
Modems. Modems let your computer connect to ISPs (Internet service providers) over a communication line, such as a phone line or cable. A dial-up modem is a very common modem that connects to your ISP via your phone line. Dial-up access is slow—you’ll find that Web pages often take many seconds (and sometimes minutes) to load. You won’t want dial-up service if you plan to regularly download large files, but it handles email and Web pages reasonably well. DSL (digital subscriber line) modems also use your phone line but provide much faster service. Cable modems use your cable TV connection and have fast transfer speeds.
Network adapters. A network adapter accepts the Ethernet cable and moves information from it to your computer. Desktop computers generally have a network adapter on the computer’s motherboard. Many notebooks already have built-in Ethernet adapters. (The Ethernet adapter’s port resembles a large phone jack.) If your computer doesn’t have an Ethernet adapter, you can buy an external adapter that plugs into your PC’s USB (Universal Serial Bus) port.
Printers. Printers typically connect directly to a computer. However, you don’t need to attach a printer to every computer in your house if you have a LAN. Once you’ve run Windows’ Networking Wizard (a software tool that configures your computers so that they can see each other on the LAN), you can mark a printer that is attached to your computer as shared, at which point other computers on the network can print to it. A print server is a computer or device that manages the printers on your network.
Servers. Generally, you won’t see a server in a home LAN, but you’ll find them in office LANs. A server is a computer dedicated to directing certain data traffic (and it often stores certain types of data). One server might manage a company’s email, for example, while another server houses (and serves up) the company’s Intranet pages. Companies also store large amounts of data from disparate locations (such as individual employee computers).
Routers. You can connect your cable modem directly to your computer, but if you want to share your Internet connection among multiple computers in a home network, a router is the way to go. It connects to your cable modem via a standard Ethernet cable and then either connects to your computers via Ethernet cable or a wireless connection (or both). The router does double network duty: It lets each computer individually access the Internet, and it lets your computers communicate with each other. Wired routers have several Ethernet ports at the back; be sure to buy a router that has as many ports as you have computers unless you plan to connect some of them wirelessly.
WLAN (Wireless Local-Area Network)
Thanks to inexpensive wireless technology, you can connect your computers to your LAN via a wireless signal, rather than traditional Ethernet cables. Users who like to tote their notebooks around the house will love WLAN technology because it means they can sit anywhere (or move anywhere) in the house without connecting or detaching cables. Don’t confuse the WLAN with a WAN (wide-area network). You can find more information about WANs in the “Networking Terms” sidebar. |
Here's a typical home network: The cable modem provides Internet access to the home, but rather than send the data directly to single computer, the user directed the Internet access to a wireless router. The router also has ports for Ethernet cables, so the user ran an Ethernet cable to Computer 1, which is the closest to the wireless router. The user can roam around the house with the notebook, which pulls the Internet access from the wireless router. Computer 3 does the same and might be in a different room than the router. Once the user configures a home network via Windows' networking features, all three computers will also be able to share files (such as text documents or pictures) amongst each other. |
Many new routers have both wired (Ethernet) and wireless technologies, but if you have a traditional wired router, don’t panic. You can take your network wireless by plugging a wireless access point into one of the router’s Ethernet ports. (An Ethernet cable runs between your router and the access point.) The access point then broadcasts the wireless signal to your computer. To make this wireless connection, your computer needs a wireless network adapter. You can buy network adapter cards that plug into your computer motherboard’s PCI (peripheral component interconnect) slots, but if you’re reluctant to open your PC, you can buy a USB adapter that will plug into any USB port on your computer. Many notebooks have built-in wireless adapters.
Home and office wireless networks generally use one or more of three common wireless networking standards: 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g. You’ll need to make sure that your wireless networking equipment (such as wireless routers, access points, and adapters) support the same standard(s). You can find information about these standards in the Tech Support Center’s “Setting Up A Wireless Network” article.
PAN (Personal-Area Network)
Although geeks may envision PANs as a special technology that lets people transfer information through their bodies, retailers refer to ultra-short-range networks when they hawk PAN-friendly gadgets to customers. Bluetooth wireless technology lets people create small networks that wirelessly connect personal gadgets, such as keyboards, mice, headphones, mobile phones, and PDAs (personal data assistants), as well as portable printers and projectors. Your gadgets will need built-in Bluetooth technology or special external adapters to take advantage of this kind of network.
Business travelers in particular can benefit from a Bluetooth PAN, as they often carry many of these gadgets on trips. The network isn’t as fast as the 802.11x networks and doesn’t have nearly as much range (about 32 feet). If you leave your mobile phone on a chair and wander farther away than that, the connection to your Bluetooth headphone may drop.
Home, Sweet Home LAN
If you have more than one computer in your home, you’ll find that a home network is worth the time and money you’ll spend setting it up. For one thing, you can easily share your broadband Internet connection among the PCs. You can also stream media content, such as photos, video, and music to devices in your living room. To learn more about building a home network, check out the Tech Support Center’s Setting Up A Wired Network and Setting Up A Wireless Network articles. 
by Joshua Gulick
Networking Terms
Although you’ll probably deal with standard router-feeds-the-computers LAN (local-area network) topologies (configurations) you might occasionally run into these other network types.
WAN. A WAN (wide-area network) connects LANs that are separated from each other by distance. For example, your business may have a LAN at its main office and another LAN at a remote branch. You can use a WAN to allow devices on the two networks to communicate with each other. Often, businesses use networks that are already in place, such as public networks, as WANs.
Bus topology. A main line provides data to all of the computers, which means that if one of the computers leaves the network, its departure won’t affect the other computers.
Ring topology. In a ring topology, each computer in the network is connected to two other computers, so that they form a circle. The data travels along the cables, from one computer to the next, until it reach its destination. (Think of a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose.")
Star topology. A single computer acts as the hub to which all of the other computers connect. When the hub computer departs the network, the network collapses.
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