How Home Networking Works

At one time only recently, computer networks were used only by corporations and large organizations. Network hardware and software were extremely expensive, and networks were complex and time-consuming to install. Networks also required extensive ongoing support, with a dedicated support staff needed for every network. Networks were not used at home. Of course, most people had only one computer in the home, if any at all, and so there was no application for a network.

Today, many people have more than one computer at home, along with more than one household computer user. Applications and devices are disbursed throughout the home, with connections to multiple computers. More and more people at home want to access resources contained on more than one computer, including, especially, an Internet connection. The demand for home networking is established. The means for home networking are established, too, with widely available networking hardware that is easy to use, and networking functionality built into the latest operating systems.

A residential local area network (LAN) may be either wired or wireless. Some people have both. The wired network uses standard Ethernet cabling, typically connecting through a series of access points, including a router and switches. A wireless network will use a wireless broadcast device such as a wireless router. Wireless routers normally support more than one hundred devices. Routers can offer both Ethernet and wireless connections. It is also possible to pass an Ethernet connection through a home's electrical circuit using a device known as a powerline adapter. An Internet service provider (ISP) typically only assigns one internet protocol (IP) address to an individual user, and where this is the case, a router is used to allow multiple computers to access Internet using private IP addresses assigned by the router.

One simple type of Ethernet network requires only two computers and two network cards, along with cable and some software that is available free. In this scenario, one computer is connected to the Internet through ISP. A network card is installed in the second computer, and then the two are connected with Ethernet cable. The connection between the computers is configured as a private network. Internet Connection Sharing software is installed on the computer physically connected to Internet, and then the second computer is configured to access Internet through the first. This software is available free as shareware. This simple network is fully functional for sharing an Internet connection, but it does not allow for sharing of any other resources.

The alternative most often used is a router, with switch or hub. This is the costliest option, of course, because a router may cost one hundred dollars, with switch and/or hub adding fifty dollars or so. However, it is also the most reliable option, and the most functional. It is also very simple to install and configure. Many routers have built in hubs, so the cost of this network may be reduced. To install the network, simply connect router to Internet source, such as cable modem, and confirm connection. Then, connect computers to router, either via Ethernet to Ethernet ports on the router, or wirelessly to the wireless network by network name. Many wireless networks are secured, and connection to a secured network also requires password or passphrase.

Home networks commonly support more devices than just computers. Networks are also used to support entertainment peripherals, including digital video and audio players, game consoles, stereo systems, and Internet televisions; voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephones; and Smartphones connected wirelessly. The uses of the home network have become vast. At the same time, networking technology has become simplified, making networks easy to install and use at home. Growth in home networking is expected to continue, with increased diversity through the development of new Internet devices.

A Short Essay on the History of the Internet

Although some media sources are reporting that the 20th anniversary of the Internet is upon us, this isn't exactly correct. The existence of the World Wide Web was announced to the public on 6 August 1991, but the foundations of what we call the Internet were actually laid in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

The first Transatlanctic cable was laid in 1858. It was considered a failure because it only functioned for a few days. Later cables laid in 1866 proved successful and allowed immediate communication between continents. These first cables can be considered the ancestors of the Internet.

J.C.R. Licklider of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conceived the idea of a global computer network in the early 1960s. In 1962 he was chosen to head research into computers for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. The research was intended for military purposes. Lawrence Roberts, also of M.I.T., was the first person to connect computers in two different states via telephone lines. He accomplished this feat in 1965. Roberts also ended up at DARPA. The computer network created by Licklider, Roberts and others was first called ARPANET and came online in 1969 to connect the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of California at Santa Barbara, Stanford Research Institute and the University of Utah.

The ASCII alphabet was developed in 1963. 1965 saw the first desktop computer, which cost £11,055, or 18,000 U.S. dollars. Work on ARPANET continued throughout the 1970s. Intel released the first microprocessor in 1971, and Ethernet was developed in the early 1970s. The Apple II computer, the Commodore Pet and the Tandy TRS-80 were announced in 1977. The early 1980s saw computers coming into the consciousness of the general public, with Time Magazine declaring the computer "Man of the Year" in 1982. 1984 saw the introduction of the Apple Macintosh computer and the coining of the term "cyberspace." And, in 1984, Microsoft released Windows as a graphical interface to MS-DOS.

The Internet was, until the early 1990s, used only for government and informational purposes. Commercial use of the Internet began around 1992, with the first online service offered by Delphi. Delphi was quickly followed by AOL, Compuserve and Prodigy.

Because the phenomenon now known as the Internet was the result of work by so many scientists, researchers and inventors over the last nearly fifty years, it's impossible to pin down a specific date as an anniversary, but it's certainly an appropriate time to celebrate the great thinkers and dreamers who brought instantaneous global communication into being.

10 Tips About Computer Network Security

Computer network security is crucial if you operate your computer on a network; either a local network or via the Internet. When using your computer on a network, hackers or automated hacker bots can use many different techniques to gain entry into your computer.

When hackers gain entry into your computer, they can wreak havoc including but not limited to: stealing personal information, gaining access to financial information, or many other threats. Luckily, you can perform some techniques that will help to secure your computer network from hackers. These tips may save you if your computer is vulnerable to hack attacks.

The first tip is to invest in a good antivirus program. Things to look for when looking for an antivirus program are a firewall, spyware and adware removal as well as blocking unrecognized executables from launching. The second tip is to maintain the program updates regularly. On some antivirus programs, there is a setting which allows the program to update automatically. The third tip is to make sure to run your antivirus regularly to check for any viruses.

The fourth tip you should follow is to monitor your operating system updates. When an update is available for your particular operating system, download it and install it. Operating system companies release updates for the systems so they can maintain optimal performance.

The fifth tip is to access your network router security settings. Once you are in the router settings, enable password protection and encryption. This will also help deter hackers. The sixth tip for network security is to use hard to guess passwords and change them periodically.

The seventh tip is to look for an anti-spyware and anti-adware program. These programs will help ensure the removal of any spyware or adware that might have slipped past your antivirus program.

The eighth tip is to configure your firewall on your computer. Some operating systems have firewalls installed within them that need to be activated while other operating systems have different techniques.

The ninth tip is to consider using a network security suite program offered through many different companies. These network security suite programs offer many network and security tools all in one.

The tenth and final tip is to activate your web browsers security features. Tighten the security level on your web browser to give you additional support. These network security tips are sure to keep your computer network safe and running optimal.