However, if you are still
undecided, read through this project and then read Project 17, which explains how to
set up a wireless network for home use, and then make your decision.
Step 1: Choose Hardware for a Wired Network
If you??™re lucky enough??”or organized enough??”to keep all your PCs in the same
room, and you don??™t mind having cables in view, you can set up a wired network
in minutes by connecting each PC and your Internet router to a switch. More likely,
though, your network will be more extensive than this, either now or in the future. So
this project shows you how to get cables discreetly from room to room and from floor
to floor. Figure 9-1 shows an example of such a network, with dashed lines showing
?—?
?—? ?—?
Project 9: Build a Wired Network in Your Home 91
approximately where hidden cables run. You will use some or all of the equipment
shown, as discussed in the following sections.
Network Switch
The switch forms the center point of your network. This is the device into which you
plug the cables that connect the PCs and other devices to the network. Figure 9-2
shows an eight-port Gigabit Ethernet switch.
Normally, you should buy a switch that has enough ports to connect not only all
of your current computers and network devices but also any others that you may buy
in the foreseeable future.
Figure 9-2
The switch is the device
at the center of the
network into which
you plug the Ethernet
cables.
Pages:
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130