CyberBabble
Site-Seeing on the Internet

There’s No Place Like [A] Home [Network]

Duff MacDonald
Mirror contributing writer

   The graphic user interface (GUI) and mouse created at Xerox’s famed think tank PARC (www.parc.xerox.com/history.html) changed computing forever and so, too, has the network changed computing. After all, the biggest network on the planet is the Internet, which is nothing but a series of interconnected computers, monstrous supercomputers and our personal computers alike. (www.artificialbrains.com/supercomputers). And just as the Net has changed the ways you use computers, so too will home networking. 
   Last week, we dipped our feet into the pool of networking, with an explanation of simple connections between two computers, utilizing “old school” serial connections. This is the most basic networking setup and requires both computers to be of the same platform (Mac or Windows). But for a network of any substance, one that’ll provide the most bang for your buck, you’re going to want to use Ethernet. As it happens, PARC’s creative gurus invented Ethernet, too (inventors.about.com/science/inventors/library/
weekly/aa111598.htm).
   If your computers have Ethernet capabilities, a “quick and dirty” network can be set up using an Ethernet “cross-over” cable between the two computers. This is similar to the serial setup above (see last week’s column for more info at www.smmirror.com). But for a more permanent, less headache-ridden solution, we’re going to have to discuss real networking hardware. At this point you’ll need to assess your equipment and/or your wallet to determine your next step. 
   If you have a dial-up connection to the Internet and are satisfied with your speed, you’ll be blown away by the 10 Base network. If you’re surfing with a cable or DSL modem you’re already travelling the Net at 10 Base speed, so I’d opt for setting up a 100 Base home network. And if you’ve got deep pockets, embrace the fastest networking available with a 1000 Base or Gigabit network. Remember we’re talking about how fast your networked computers will communicate with each other, not the speed with which you access the Internet, that network of all networks (www.w3.org/History.html). 
   As with Internet access and sports cars, the more money you shell out, the faster you can go and, here and now, it’s just like the rest of the computer world, there’s always something faster on the horizon. All ready in the works, but still in the negotiation stage is 10-Gigabit Ethernet (www.10gea.org/tech-faq_s.htm). Yep, it’s promised to be 10 times faster than the fastest speed with which you can network now. The standards are scheduled to be ratified sometime in 2002, but don’t worry, it won’t be affordable anytime soon. 
   Just as the Internet’s a network, those computers spread all over your house can be a network too. The easy way to differentiate between the two modes of networking is to jump right in and stake claim to the jargon of the network geeks. The computers that you have at home, in your abode, in your locale that are linked are a LAN (local area network). The computers outside of your house that make up the Internet, that World Wide Web are a WAN (wide area network). 
   Those of you with a dialup Net connection may want to network your computers to share files, programs, printers, etc., but not your Internet access, as sharing that would be brutally slow. You network your computers together with a “switch.” A switch is basically a “smart hub.” It manages the flow of data from the computers connected to it without anyone suffering a loss of bandwidth, in contrast with a plain old hub which divides its bandwith between the computers connected to it, so the more users there are, the slower things get. 
   The absolute coolest home networking scenario is getting all of the file sharing and peripheral sharing possibilities AND sharing a high-speed Internet connection. This is accomplished using a network “router,” which simply means that the hardware routes that broadband surfing to numerous computers. The best cable and DSL routers also have switches built into them as well as physical firewalls. So you not only get the satisfaction of being on the cutting edge of technology, but by sharing that fast Net access, you actually may even save money on your monthly ISP fees. The router is the only device that is seen out there on the Internet by your service provider as well as by hackers. Your family of networked computers, printers, CD burners, Zip drives, and what have you is safely tucked behind your router’s firewall. 
   Now that we’ve covered the general concepts of home networking, we’ll wrap it up next week with coverage of the hardware and software specifics, so you’ll be on your way to being the network administrator of your house. 
   Email CyberBabble: duffmacdonald@yahoo.com.