Networking Your Spare Home Computers

Overview

Home Network Architecture

• Basic Network Concepts• Media Types and Terminations • Local Area Networks (LANs) • Distribution Panel/ Headend

Bandwidth

Bandw idth is like p ipew idth.

Data is like water.

Broadband

DSL - ADSL Technology

Pros and Cons of DSL

• You can leave your Internet connection open and still use the phone line for voice calls.

• The speed is much higher than a regular modem

• DSL doesn't necessarily require new wiring; it can use the phone line you already have.

• The company that offers DSL will usually provide the modem as part of the installation.

• A DSL connection works better when you are closer to the provider's central office. The farther away you get from the central office, the weaker the signal becomes.

• The connection is faster for receiving data than it is for sending data over the Internet.

• The service is not available everywhere.

Cable Technology

• A tuner • A demodulator • A modulator • A media access control (MAC) device • A microprocessor

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                      

        

Pros and Cons of Cable• If you are one of the first users to connect to the Internet through a particular cable channel, then you may have nearly the entire bandwidth of the channel available for your use. As new users, especially heavy-access users, are connected to the channel, you will have to share that bandwidth, and may see your performance degrade as a result. It is possible that, in times of heavy usage with many connected users, performance will be far below the theoretical maximums. The good news is that this particular performance issue can be resolved by the cable company adding a new channel and splitting the base of users.

• Another benefit of the cable modem for Internet access is that, unlike ADSL, its performance doesn't depend on distance from the central cable office. A digital CATV system is designed to provide digital signals at a particular quality to customer households. On the upstream side, the burst modulator in cable modems is programmed with the distance from the head-end, and provides the proper signal strength for accurate transmission.

Verizon Fios Technology• Feature - Verizon FiOS Internet service – Cable Speed - Why wait?

• With FiOS, upload pictures and movies in a flash! Serious gamer? We've thought of you too. Play games with the other side of the world as if they were next door... lag-free!

• With FiOS Packages offering up to 30 Mbps downloads and 5 Mbps uploads (and even higher in some locations), patience is generally the cable user's virtue. Wait patiently. Upload speeds are usually not even close to the speeds offered by FiOS. Most providers can only offer slower download speeds too!

• Cost - Blazing speeds start at $39.99/month with choice of our annual package. That price stays the same for one full year and the installation's FREE! More speed. Less money. No contest. Why pay more for speed when you no longer have to? Most cable plans are more expensive. FTTH Council Certified!

• FTTH (fiber to the home) Certified - Means you will have true fiber optic service all the way to your home. We’ll provide you with the superiority of a reliable, 100% fiber-optic network ready for future innovation. Don't be confused by misleading information. Currently no cable provider can provide fiber optic service all the way to the home.

What is the Difference Between a Router and a Firewall?

• By definition, a firewall is a system that protects the resources in a private network, while a router is a device that moves (or routes) data packets among networks. NAT in routers is simply a byproduct security feature.

• The main differences between a router and a hardware firewall is in number of features and price.

• Most low-cost Home/SOHO routers have a built-in DHCP server and NAT/PAT, which assigns private, non-routable IP addresses to LAN clients, and as a byproduct provides simple and effective security features.

• Higher priced firewalls/routers provide additional security features, such as Stateful Packet Inspection, VPN support, content filters, intrusion attempt logs, etc.

What's the Difference Between a Hub, a Switch and a Router?

• In a word: intelligence.• Hubs, switches, and routers are all devices which let you connect

one or more computers to other computers, networked devices, or to other networks. Each has two or more connectors called ports into which you plug in the cables to make the connection. Varying degrees of magic happen inside the device, and therein lies the difference. I often see the terms misused so let's clarify what each one really means.

• A hub is typically the least expensive, least intelligent, and least complicated of the three. Its job is very simple: anything that comes in one port is sent out to the others. That's it. Every computer connected to the hub "sees" everything that every other computer on the hub sees. The hub itself is blissfully ignorant of the data being transmitted. For years, simple hubs have been quick and easy ways to connect computers in small networks.

• A switch does essentially what a hub does but more efficiently. By paying attention to the traffic that comes across it, it can "learn" where particular addresses are. For example, if it sees traffic from machine A coming in on port 2, it now knows that machine A is connected to that port and that traffic to machine A needs to only be sent to that port and not any of the others. The net result of using a switch over a hub is that most of the network traffic only goes where it needs to rather than to every port. On busy networks this can make the network significantly faster.

• A router is the smartest and most complicated of the bunch. Routers come in all shapes and sizes from the small four-port broadband routers that are very popular right now to the large industrial strength devices that drive the internet itself. A simple way to think of a router is as a computer that can be programmed to understand, possibly manipulate, and route the data its being asked to handle. For example, broadband routers include the ability to "hide" computers behind a type of firewall which involves slightly modifying the packets of network traffic as they traverse the device. All routers include some kind of user interface for configuring how the router will treat traffic. The really large routers include the equivalent of a full-blown programming language to describe how they should operate as well as the ability to communicate with other routers to describe or determine the best way to get network traffic from point A to point B.

• A quick note on one other thing that you'll often see mentioned with these devices and that's network speed. Most devices now are capable of both 10mps (10 mega-bits, or million bits, per second) as well as 100mbs and will automatically detect the speed. If the device is labeled with only one speed then it will only be able to communicate with devices that also support that speed. 1000mbs or "gigabit" devices are starting to slowly become more common as well. Similarly many devices now also include 802.11b or 802.11g wireless transmitters that simply act like additional ports to the device.

How Do I Know If I Have a Router?

• Click on Start• Click on All Programs• Click on Accessories• Click on Command Prompt• You'll probably get window similar to this one:

"...many broadband modems also act as a router ..."In that Window type "ipconfig" followed by the enter key, and you should get something like this: Now, like me, you may have more than one network adapter. The one you probably want to pay attention to is the one labeled Local Area Connection, for wired connections, or Wireless Network Connection if you're running via a WiFi or other wireless connection.The line you care about is this one:IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2

Typical Home Network

Internet Protocol

Tim 's Com puter Tom 's Com puter

From : TimTo: Tom

TCP

Network

W here is Tom ?

IP

Topologies

(1) (2)

(3)

Telephone

PBX/Telephone D istributor

Telephone Fax

PC

D VD DrivePrinter

Storage Laptop

PC

DVD Drive

Printer

Storage Laptop

Storage

Hub

LAN Overview

What is Network Cabling?

• Cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device to another. There are several types of cable which are commonly used with LANs. In some cases, a network will utilize only one type of cable, other networks will use a variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network is related to the network's topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of different types of cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is necessary for the development of a successful network.

• The following sections discuss the types of cables used in networks and other related topics.

Coaxial Cable

• Coaxial cabling has a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides insulation between the center conductor and a braided metal shield (See fig. 3). The metal shield helps to block any outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and other computers. • Although coaxial cabling is difficult to install, it is highly resistant to signal interference. In addition, it can support greater cable lengths between network devices than twisted pair cable. The two types of coaxial cabling are thick coaxial and thin coaxial.

• Thin coaxial cable is also referred to as thinnet. 10Base2 refers to the specifications for thin coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 2 refers to the approximate maximum segment length being 200 meters. In actual fact the maximum segment length is 185 meters. Thin coaxial cable is popular in school networks, especially linear bus networks.

• Thick coaxial cable is also referred to as thicknet. 10Base5 refers to the specifications for thick coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 5 refers to the maximum segment length being 500 meters. Thick coaxial cable has an extra protective plastic cover that helps keep moisture away from the center conductor. This makes thick coaxial a great choice when running longer lengths in a linear bus network. One disadvantage of thick coaxial is that it does not bend easily and is difficult to install.

• The most common type of connector used with coaxial cables is the Bayone-Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector (See fig. 4). Different types of adapters are available for BNC connectors, including a T-connector, barrel connector, and terminator. Connectors on the cable are the weakest points in any network. To help avoid problems with your network, always use the BNC connectors that crimp, rather than screw, onto the cable.

Unshielded Twisted Pair

Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair Types

• Cat 1- Voice Only (Telephone Wire)• Cat 2 - Data to 4 Mbps (LocalTalk)• Cat 3 - Data to 10 Mbps (Ethernet) • Cat 4 - Data to 20 Mbps (16 Mbps Token Ring) • Cat 5 - Data to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)• Cat 5e - Data to 1gb

• Cat 6 - Data to 10Gigabit Ethernet

Cat 5/Cat 5e

                                                                      

Standard Wiring for RJ45 Jack(Jack face shown)

                                                                                                    

 

Unshielded Twisted Pair

Fiber Optic Cable

• Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of protective materials. It transmits light rather than electronic signals eliminating the problem of electrical interference. This makes it ideal for certain environments that contain a large amount of electrical interference. It has also made it the standard for connecting networks between buildings, due to its immunity to the effects of moisture and lighting.

• Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over much longer distances than coaxial and twisted pair. It also has the capability to carry information at vastly greater speeds. This capacity broadens communication possibilities to include services such as video conferencing and interactive services. The cost of fiber optic cabling is comparable to copper cabling; however, it is more difficult to install and modify. 10BaseF refers to the specifications for fiber optic cable carrying Ethernet signals.

Wireless Technology• Wireless LANs use high frequency radio signals, infrared light beams, or lasers to communicate between the workstations and the file server or hubs. Each workstation and file server on a wireless network has some sort of transceiver/antenna to send and receive the data. Information is relayed between transceivers as if they were physically connected. For longer distance, wireless communications can also take place through cellular telephone technology, microwave transmission, or by satellite.

• Wireless networks are also beneficial in older buildings where it may be difficult or impossible to install cables.

• The two most common types of infrared communications used in schools are line-of-sight and scattered broadcast. Line-of-sight communication means that there must be an unblocked direct line between the workstation and the transceiver. If a person walks within the line-of-sight while there is a transmission, the information would need to be sent again. This kind of obstruction can slow down the wireless network.

• Scattered infrared communication is a broadcast of infrared transmissions sent out in multiple directions that bounces off walls and ceilings until it eventually hits the receiver. Networking communications with laser are virtually the same as line-of-sight infrared networks.

• Wireless LANs have several disadvantages - poor security and interference from lights and electronic devices. They are also slower than LANs using cabling.

Wireless 802.11n Technology(300mbps)

• The very latest wireless networking technology - Wireless-N (draft 802.11n). By overlaying the signals of multiple radios, Wireless-N's “Multiple In, Multiple Out” (MIMO) technology multiplies the effective data rate. Unlike ordinary wireless networking technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase the range and reduce “dead spots” in the wireless coverage area.

Phone Wire Technology

Powerline Technology

• Power-line networking is one of several ways to connect the computers in your home. It uses the electrical wiring in your house to create a network. Turn any electrical outlet into a Home Network connection and share a Broadband Internet connection, files and printers with PCs in different rooms with no new wires at 14, 85, or 200 Mbps. Remotely connect your PCs, gaming consoles, Slingbox, or networked storage to a broadband Internet connection quickly and easily.

• Disadvantages are It needs bulky wall devices to connect computer equipments to a power outlet.

Extend Your Network Using Electrical Outlets

• Turns any outlet into an Ethernet network connection

• Delivers 85 Mbps speed

• Simple plug and play installation

• Extends your network using existing electrical outlets

• No software to install

Distribution Methods

Ethernet HomePNA HomePlug Wireless

Media Type

Availability in home

Advantages

Disadvantages

Cat 5/5e Fiber

0 to 4 existing outlets

high bandwidth, high network connectivity

high cost of network devices, devices

need to be configured, rewiring needed

Phoneline

3 to 8 existing outlets

exists in every home

interference, daisy-chained topology

Powerline

10 to 100 existing outlets

exists in every home,higher availability than phoneline

interference,standards not yet set

802.11b HomeRF

limited to within about 100' from a central

access point

flexibility

several different emerging standards, costly devices,

interference

S ource: Yankee G roup, P arks & Associa tes

Bandwidthup to

1000 Mbpsmore than100 Mbps

10 Mbps(version 1.01)

10 Mbps(June 2001)

up to54 Mbps

1.6 Mbps(version 1.1),

10 Mbps (version 2.0)

Home Networking Infrastructure

• Network Components.

• MDF Main Distribution Frame

• User end Jacks

• Cabinets

• What media shall be used. COAX F-type

• Unshielded Twisted Pair

• Cat 5 or Cat 6

Distribution Panel

D istribution panel w ith residentia l gateway in light b lue.

Enterta inm entC ontro l Panel

Video/Audio U nit

Telephone U nit

R esidentia l G atew ay(M odem , R outer/B ridge,

Sw itch/H ub)

H om e Autom ation C ontro l Unit

Pow er Supply Unit

Lighting C ontro lPanel

SecurityC ontro lPanel

H VACC ontro lPanel

Home Network Panels

     

             

Residential Gateway

A residentia l gateway typically consists of a m odem , router, and sw itch. The residentia l gatew ay here is show n in the form of icons that are typ ically used in H om e Network docum entation.

Router

Sw itch

M odem

What is NAS?

• Network Attached Storage (NAS) is dedicated hard disk-based storage technology designed to be connected directly to a computer network, providing centralized data access to multiple network clients.

Network Attached Storage