Most home network builders will not be satisfied just to trade files among the computers on the home network. That means they will want to connect at least one system to the Internet. In the usual scenario, network builders will want all systems on the home network to have access to the Internet as well.
There [...]

There are two basic types of home network, cabled (or wired) and wireless. Either type you choose will have some basic equipment in common, though the specific type will vary.
First and foremost, in order for any two devices on the network to communicate, some path has to be established.
In a cabled network, that’s done physically [...]

Once you have a home network established, there are several ways to make use of it. One popular goal is to share files between one computer and another without having to use ’sneaker net’, like trading files by a CD/DVD or, yikes!, by using a floppy disk.
A lot of file swapping goes on via email [...]

In building construction, a firewall is a physical barrier to help prevent the spread of a fire from one room to another. The home network equivalent is well named. The software and/or hardware that constitutes a firewall makes it more difficult for dangerous programs or unauthorized users to access your system.
Firewall protection has two directions. [...]

For many people, their computing needs at home are fairly simple. Even today when it’s more commonplace for multiple family members to have their own computer, the systems are often stand alone devices. They have little or no need to share data. ‘Sneaker net’, or sharing data by passing a CD from one to the [...]

Not too many years ago building a home network was strictly for professionals and true computer geeks. The cost, the complexity and other factors made it a very rough road for anyone else.
But the situation has changed.
Today, the costs have come down on every component. Wireless is not much more expensive, and sometimes less, than [...]

A home network is a set of hardware and software that allows computer-based communication. File sharing, printer sharing and other input and output is a typical part of the home network. But how does it perform those functions?
A home network functions in a nearly identical way to that used by private companies when they create [...]

A network is like a spider web, the basic reason that the Internet is often called that. It’s a series of lines (called routes) that have intermediate and end points (called nodes) that connect devices together. Those connections and routes are what allow the devices to share, input or output information across the network.
Along those [...]

When you start to design your home network, you’ll be immediately faced with a wide array of choices. Many of them have cryptic names and obtuse descriptions. But don’t be put off by all the techno-babble. Make an effort to get familiar with some of the names because they’re associated with options that affect the [...]

Home networking throws novices immediately into a pool of cryptic names and acronyms. Fortunately, home networks are actually fairly easy to build. The first hurdle is little more than becoming familiar with many of those names and letters. Once you learn a little terminology, the rest is often just common sense and carefully following some [...]