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 what is known as a Local Area Network (LAN). Designations called IP addresses, and some associated easy-for-humans-to-remember names (often called host names) are used to know who and where everything is.

For example, when 10.1.1.5 (Computer-Jack) sends a file to 10.1.1.6 (Computer-Jill), the software and hardware cooperate to know where and how to send the file from Jack to Jill.

The idea is, in principle, the same as that used by the post office. Each home has an address and a letter sent from one home is routed to another by using that address. The return address on the envelope makes it possible to know where to respond. Home computer networks operate the same way, even calling the routing data used ‘an envelope’ that surrounds the data (the words on the letter).

Physically, a home network comes in two basic types: cabled and wireless.

In a cabled network, wire bundles called Ethernet cables with connectors on each end plug into either a NIC (network interface card) in the computer, printer, fax, … or into a switch/router. Switches or hubs are simplified devices that allow physical connections between components of the network. Routers contain additional software and circuitry to perform more complex functions, such as connecting to the Internet.

A wireless network operates the same way, except there is no need for cables. Instead, small devices called transceivers (transmitter-receiver) send and accept information by radio signals.

Suppose for example that you want two computers within a home network to both be able to print to the same printer. There are two basic ways to make that possible. In one set up the printer is physically attached to one of the computers. The alternate set up connects the printer to the network itself, not to any individual computer.

In the first arrangement, the printer is called local, but shareable. Just as you might make files on one computer accessible to another, so it’s possible to allow a remote computer to print to the locally attached device. Computer-Jack then simply shares the printer by using software on the hosting system, Computer-Jill.

In the more typical case today, the printer has its own NIC and is attached to a switch or router via Ethernet cables or a wireless transceiver. Each computer on the network then ’sees’ the printer as a device it can use.

Scanners, fax machines and even other computers (file servers, for example) operate essentially the same way. Each device gets an address and a name. Software on the device allows it to be configured to make its function accessible to multiple computers on the same network.

Related posts:

1. Home Networking – Setting Up and Using a Shared Printer
2. What Is a Home Network?
3. Essential Home Networking Equipment
4. Home Networking Options
5. Networking 101

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