TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Information: About Home Networking
► Summary:
A network is a group of computers, printers, and other devices that are connected together, so they
can communicate with each other. Network users can exchange documents and data with each other,
print to the same printers, and share hardware that is connected to the network.
► Content
Benefits of Home Networking
·
Share a high-speed Internet connection among several computers and other devices in your
home. All of them can be online at the same time.
·
Save money by sharing a single Internet connection.
·
Share a printer among several computers.
·
Access files easily from your networked computers without having to email them or use floppy
disks.
·
Play network or Internet-ready video games on PC, Sony PlayStation® 2, Nintendo® GameCube,
or Microsoft Xbox.
·
Protect your computers and files with built-in firewall security.
·
Access the Internet from your laptop throughout your home with wireless networking.
How Does a Home Network Work?
A home network is a group of two or more computers linked together. Networking your computers and
other devices allows you to connect them to the Internet at the same time and to share files and
hardware such as printers. A network makes it especially easy to move large files from one computer to
another.
A home network is created by connecting a router or a hub to the cable modem. Then the computers
and other devices are connected to the router or hub to share the Internet connection. The router can
act as a firewall to protect your home network and files from outsiders.
NOTE: If you use a hub to connect your computers to the Internet, you will need to order Multiple
Computer Access.
Computers can be connected together with many different network types, but the two most common
are Ethernet and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networking.
Ethernet Networking
Ethernet networking uses cables to carry data between the computers, router, and cable modem.
Ethernet networks are generally faster than the alternatives, although other technologies are closing
the speed gap. Because Ethernet is so popular and simple, the essential components of Ethernet
networking are readily available and inexpensive.
To build an Ethernet network in your home, you will need one Ethernet network interface card (NIC) or
adapter for each computer. Ethernet NICs are installed inside your computer, and network adapters
are external devices that connect to a USB port. You will also need a hub or router to act as the central
point of your network to which all other devices will connect.
Ethernet cable is classified as cat5, cat5e, or cat6, and it is required to build an Ethernet network.
Ethernet networking is the best home networking solution if you need to have a fast connection
between your computers.
Wi-Fi Networking
Wi-Fi is wireless networking that uses radio waves to transmit data without cables. It also allows a
customer with a laptop to move around the house or yard and still maintain access to the Internet and
the rest of the home network. This solution is easier to install than Ethernet when the computers are
far from each other or the cable modem.
Choosing the Right Type of Network for Your Home
For some people, network speed is not an important issue. With the Suddenlink High Speed Internet
Premier package, the fastest download speed is 5 Mbps. Either of these network types transfer data
faster than that and will not slow down your connection to the Internet. However, if you will be
transferring files between computers on your home network, a fast network connection is better. The
table below compares Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks.
Speed
Cost
Wiring ease
Ethernet This is the fastest
Ethernet hardware is typically the
If the computers are in
networking option
least expensive, but the cost will
different rooms, installing
available with speeds of
depend on the amount of cabling
the cabling can be
10, 100, or 1000 Mbps.
needed and whether you have the
difficult.
cabling professionally installed.
Wi-Fi
802.11b Wi-Fi supports The hardware for Wi-Fi is the most
No cabling is required, but
speeds up to 11 Mbps,
expensive.
interference can make it
and 802.11g Wi-Fi
difficult to get a signal in
supports speeds up to 54
some parts of the home.
Mbps.
