When it comes to the actual hardware involved in setting up a LAN in your
home, there are many different options available for you. They are:
An Ethernet Connection
(Computers are directly connected either through an ethernet hub or using
crossover ethernet cable)
Power line Networking
(Computers talk to each other through power lines)
Phone line Networking
(Computers talk to each other through phone lines)
Wi-Fi (Wireless
Networking)
Each of these options are very different, and require very different hardware
in order to install. However, once the hardware installation is done, the
configuring of the computer’s software to talk to each other is the same
process no matter what kind of connection you have.
Installing a LAN Using an Ethernet Connection
If your computers are in relatively close proximity to each other, either in
the same room or in a place where wires will not have to run very far, an
ethernet connection may be your best choice for connecting your LAN.
Ethernet and especially Fast Ethernet connections have higher transfer rates
than most of the other connection types. (Fast Ethernet can transfer
information at a speed of 100 Mb/s!). However, unless the computers are in
close proximity it might be awkward or even impossible connect computers together
over an ethernet without hardwiring cables into the walls.
An ethernet connection is the most direct networking connection option.
Generally a single wire is used to connect one computer to the other. This is
called a crossover ethernet cable.
An ethernet cable is actually 5 separate wires that are entwined with each
other. At both ends of the cables are jacks where these wires connect into a
port, similar to a phone jack. (An ethernet jack is also approximately the same
size as a phone jack).
When the wires come out of the cable in the same order they entered the
cable, then this is a straight ethernet cable. If the end wires are in opposite
order from the beginning wires (or crossed over), then we have a crossover
ethernet cable. In order for a direct cable ethernet connection to work, you
must have a crossover ethernet cable.
Connecting the computers is simple with a crossover ethernet cable. Firstly
you must make sure that there are ethernet ports on both computers. Many
computers these days come with an ethernet port as standard. To check, look at
the back of your computer. The ethernet port looks just like a phone jack for a
modem line, but has an emblem beside it with three computers connected to each
other.
If you do not already have ethernet ports on your computers, you will have
to install them. Ethernet ports are cheap, and cost about $25. Most ethernet
ports connect to a PCI slot inside your machine.
If you have three or more computers in the same room you want to connect,
you will need an ethernet hub. This is a little box that allows you to connect
straight ethernet cables to it from each computer. This will direct all
information over the LAN.