For
our first class back after Christmas, it was a kind of refresher class. We went
over the previous term’s session on Wi-Fi and Networking session. We went
through the presentation, examining the different types of equipment required
if you are going to ‘network’ any of your computers or peripherals.
The
whole point of networking is to share common resources. No longer do we need to
have an attached printer connected to each computer. We can share them out over
a network. In our homes it’s entirely
likely that most of us will not have in excess of 5 home computers, and
typically when one uses the phrase computer network we conjure up the image of
lots and lots of workstations. The term ‘workgroup’ is a phrase which is used
more commonly, or a small peer-to-peer network.
Most
people who are likely to consider some form of network in the home generally
have either data or peripherals they wish to share or access from a second or
third computer. Initially, many will be
sharing a common internet connection that comes into the house. It is not
necessary to have separate internet connections and subscriptions for each
computer. With a typical computer connected to the Internet, an Internet
service provider such as British Telecom or Virgin Media, would have usually
supplied in the past, a standard cable modem of sorts. This would typically be
connected direct to the back of one computer, either via the USB connection, or
the LAN connection. The latter being typical of the connection used by Virgin
Media, of who are my own Internet Provider. When the ability to connect a
wireless item, such as a laptop, is required, a product known as an Access
Point or Wireless Router might well be plugged into the cable modem, thus
giving Internet access to mobile devices.
To physically join to computers together, one would simply use something
like a 5-port mini switch.
As
technology got better, the two devices, plus the functionality of a mini switch
were combined into the one gadget that we know these days as the ‘Wireless
Router’.
A
key thing to remember is that a computer needs a unique name to be connected to
any form of network, in order that it can be identified. But we will discuss
this more in next weeks class when we create a work group in a practical
session.
Other
such hardware we re-discussed were the Powerline adapters that we mentioned
last term. Powerline adapters of course, being adapters that make use of your
home’s electrical wiring, to bridge a link in your networks topology. They are
very handy because you do not need to drill holes in walls unnecessarily and
run cables everywhere. As long as the electrical wiring is on the same circuit,
you should have no problem whatsoever. I have my Wireless Router located
upstairs in one of the bedrooms, and I use a pair of Powerline adapters, to get
an Internet connection to my Xbox games console which is downstairs in the
living room. I have a relatively short cable going from one of the network
ports on my Wireless Router and then plugged into one of the Powerline
adapters. Then respectively downstairs,
the other Powerline adapter is plugged in down behind the television and Xbox,
with another network cable making the link to provide connectivity. They work
very well indeed.
The
remainder of the class, was an ad-hoc questions and answers session posed by
various members of the class.
No comments:
Post a Comment