For two computers to talk to each other, they must agree on some kind of standard way of communicating. The way computers agree to communicate is known as a protocol. A modern network uses a whole host of network protocols defining everything from how long a signal should stay on the wire to how to get mail from a mail server.
Modern computer networks use standard protocol called Ethernet to communicate with one another. Ethernet is a standard that defines how a network will be wired physically, and what low level protocols the computers on it will use to communicate. When people talk about an Ethernet network, they will usually just say Ethernet. “I set up an Ethernet in my house” is something you might hear.
Ethernet run at either 10, 100 or 1000 megabits per second. When we say what type of network we are on, we usually say something like 10Base-T. This means the network is capable of running at 10 megabits per second, at is using Twisted Pair wiring (hence the “T”). When a network can run at more then one speed, we usually put a dash between the two speeds; for example a 10/100Base-T network is one that is capable of running at either 10 megabits or 100 megabits a second.
Ethernet has several wiring standards that dictate the speed and the communications medium the computers will use. The table below breaks down the different wiring types in terms of speed and cable type.
|
Name |
Cable Type |
Speed |
|
10Base-2 |
Coaxial |
10Mbps |
|
10Base-T |
CAT3 or CAT5 Twisted Pair |
10Mbps |
|
10Base-F |
Fiber optic |
10Mbps |
|
100Base-T (Fast Ethernet) |
CAT5 Twisted Pair |
100Mbps |
|
1000Base-T (Gigabit Ethernet) |
Fiber optic |
1000Mbps |
While wireless networks have usually been regarded as expensive and slow, they are finally coming of age. Wireless networks are perfect when you don’t feel like stringing a bunch of cable over you floor. They also have the added advantage that your computer (or laptop) can be “on the go” anywhere in the house. Don’t like that computer in that room? Just pick it up and move it to another room.
Besides wire, you will need network cards for each machine on a network, and a network hub.
A Network Hub
The
most important piece of your network is the hub. It is the heart
of any 10/100Base-T network. All computers on the network are
connected to the hub. It is the job of the hub to broadcast a
signal send from one machine to all the machines on the network.
The hub also isolates a computer if it detects a cable fault.
In the old days, with 10Base-2, if you had a cable fault, your whole
network would be down.
Hubs come in many sizes, ranging from 4 ports all the way up to 36 ports. Each port can be used to connect a computer. The more ports, the more computers you can connect. Obviously, the more ports, the higher the price.
The last piece of hardware you will need is network interface cards (or NICs) for each machine in your house. This card is used to communicate on the network. Some computers, such Macintoshes, already come pre-installed with network cards. You can tell if your computer has a network card build in by looking in the rear of the case for a jack that looks kind of like a phone jack, only bigger.
I don’t know what kind of network cards you can purchase for an older Mac, but if you are purchasing a network card for a Windows box.
USB adapters are also beginning to emerge on the market. These cards, while easy to configure, are slow. You should only use them if you do not have any expansion slots left, or you are using a laptop.
Network cards come in three flavors: 10Base-T, 10/100Base-T or 100Base-T. These days, it is becoming hard to find a network card that is not 10/100Base-T, which can operate on a 10Base-T network or a 100Base-T network. If you are planning to construct a 100Base-T network, you will need to make sure that all computers are capable of running 100Base-T. Your network will only run as fast as the slowest network card on it.