Share my broadband connection: home networking

If your household has two or more frequent Internet users, instead of fighting over who gets to use the computer you can share your broadband connection and both surf at the same time. The large bandwidth of a broadband connection means that a number of computers can connect simultaneously through a home network, and your ISP won’t charge you any more for the privilege. You may need to buy some additional hardware to do it but the minimal costs pale in comparison to the convenience of having a home network. Here’s what you need to know to get it happening.

What is a home network?

A “home network” or Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers that are connected either through cables (a wired network) or radio waves (a wireless network) or even a combination of the two. The computers are able to communicate with each other in such a way that they can share files and resources, such as an Internet connection or a printer.

If you’ve recently purchased a new PC or laptop or have one or two unused computers lying around the house, you can link them through a home network. Although your older machines may not be able to run the latest games or image manipulation software, they will certainly be able to use a shared broadband connection to surf the web, send emails or chat online.

Different types of home networks

Wired network

In a wired network, all the computers are linked by Ethernet cables either running through a network hub or switch (if linking more than two computers) or connecting via a crossover cable (if linking only two computers). Each computer must also have a network card installed.

Advantages:

• The fastest network type, giving speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s.
• More reliable than wireless – not prone to connection drop-outs.
• Can be relatively inexpensive to set up yourself.

Disadvantages:

• Requires the connection of cables between each networked computer and the hub, the running of which can be expensive, impractical and aesthetically unappealing if your computers are not close together.
• Installation can be difficult. If you are not tech-savvy, you may require professional assistance to install internal network cards and lay the cables.

Wireless network

Wireless networks, as the name suggests, connect your computers without the need for cables. The network consists of a wireless access point (WAP) and wireless network cards in each computer.

Advantages:

• Very convenient.
• Most laptops now come standard with wireless network cards.
• Installation is very easy as wireless adapters can connect through USB and wireless routers.

Disadvantages:

• Lacks the speed of a wired connection.
• Prone to occasional signal dropouts.
• Equipment is slightly more expensive than wired network equipment.
• As a wireless network’s signal can reach outside your house, there are security and privacy issues. However, this can be attended to by encrypting your network.

Conclusion

Choose a wired network if your computers are located close together (ideally in the same room), and you are capable of installing the components yourself. If your computers are spread out around the home, install a wireless network but be sure to encrypt it.

Home networking tips

• Watch out for increased download usage when sharing your connection. You may hit your limit faster or go over it.
• If using a wireless network, only purchase compatible components (the 802.11a standard is incompatible with 802.11b/g). Also, purchase a wireless router rather than a stand-alone WAP. This is not much more expensive but adds security to your network and makes setting it up much easier.
• If you get stuck www.homenethelp.com or www.whirlpool.net.au may have additional insights and some useful forum information you can draw on.