General Information:

Unlike the complicated networks used by corporations, Home & Small Office Networking is a basic Local Area Network (LAN) to get PCs to "talk to each other" and share resources. This is done by connecting PCs to a device that acts as a central location for information to flow through (such as a Multi-port Cable/DSL Router, Network Hub/Switch or Wireless Access Point), but still allows PCs to operate independently.

Though LAN configurations vary depending on the type of Internet connection and other factors, the diagram below is a typical example of how a basic LAN is constructed to share a single Internet connection and other resources ...



Each PC is configured to be individually identified on the LAN, and has control over which folders and devices will be shared with the other PCs. That is to say, the existence of a PC on a LAN does not mean its files and hardware are automatically shared. Rather, permission must be given for other PCs to have access to it and, if desired, unique passwords with varying levels of accessibility can be applied to each folder and device shared.

Once connected together and configured, with the proper sharing assignments (and, in some cases, the appropriate Microsoft Windows operating systems), you can ...

Share one Internet connection with all users simultaneously

Share all printers connected to the LAN's PCs

Share devices (such as a CD-ROM)

Directly access files on other PCs

Run programs located on other PCs

Access folders or entire drives on other PCs like a local drive

Copy, store and backup files onto other PCs

View and operate other PCs on the LAN

And more!

NOTE: Some devices, such as scanners, PC faxes, DVD drives and even some printers, may not have the ability to operate over a network -- check your hardware documentation or the product's support website.

Sharing an Internet connection:

Sharing an Internet connection on a home or small office LAN works best one of the following two ways, depending on the type of Internet connection:


Cable or DSL Internet Connection LAN:

PCs are connected to a Cable/DSL Router (either directly or through a Network Hub/Switch), and the router is connected to the cable or DSL modem. The router will channel all PCs on the LAN to the cable or DSL modem to gain access to the Internet, and adds a level of security for protecting your LAN from outside intruders.



Dial-up Internet Connection LAN:

One PC on the LAN is designated as the Host PC to establish the Internet connection, and is configured with Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to share its resources (this is sometimes refered to as a software router). Other PCs on the LAN are configured to channel through the Host PC to access the Internet. In almost all cases, the Host PC is required to establish the Internet connection before other PCs on the LAN can gain access to the Internet.

LANs and Networking Gear:

The networking gear used to create a LAN is dependent upon many factors, including (but not limited to) the type of Internet connection, existing wiring (if any), expense, number of users, etc. Also note that, in most cases, LAN types and networking gear can be mixed and matched to fit your needs.

Here are the two most popular ways of creating a LAN, brief descriptions of the equipment needed, and just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of each ...

Type:	Equipment:	Advantages:	Disadvantages:
Wired	Network Interface Cards (NICs) for and network wiring to each PC and laptop, and either a Multi-port Cable/DSL Router or Network Hub/Switch.	PC hardware and networking gear is generally inexpensive and compatible among manufacturers, it provides the highest network speeds, and is easily expandable.	Requires network wiring to connect the PCs together, which can be expensive, troublesome and/or time-consuming.
Wireless	Wireless NICs for each PC and laptop, and either a Wireless Access Point or combination Wireless Access Point and Cable/DSL Router.	Does not require wiring and enables users (especially laptop users) to connect to the LAN from anywhere within range.	Network speeds are slower than a Wired LAN (though wireless network speeds are always increasing), and care must be taken to ensure compatibility of wireless network gear.

For more information on whether or not Home & Small Office Networking is right for you, see the Questions & Answers page.