A home computer network can be very useful. There are a number of different benefits to setting up a small computer network in your own home, particularly if you have more than one computer in the house. You will be able to share files, including music files, between different computers and you will also be able to access any hardware devices that are part of the network, without having to be plugged directly into the device. If you choose to set up a wireless network, rather then a wired one, you will be able to access the internet and any networked devices, such as printers, from anywhere in your home. This will be particularly useful if you use a laptop computer since you will be able to take it into whichever room you want, or even outside into your garden.
Setting up a home network can be relatively simple, but it is important to make sure you take plenty of time to find out about the different types of computer and networking hardware which are available and to design your network properly. Most people who are familiar with computers will be able to set up their own simple home network, simply by following the instructions supplied with their router. Routers that are intended for home use are usually designed to be very easy to set up and maintain. The most important thing to remember is that you need to make sure all of the components of your home network will be compatible with one another. For example, there is not point buying a wireless router if your computer cannot connect to it. Boomeranghardware.com is a good place to learn about different types of computer hardware and to find out more about computer networks.
The two basic options for home networking are wireless and Ethernet networks. A wireless network is based around a router that sends out a wireless signal. Each device that is part of the network will require a wireless receiver. Some devices, particularly modern laptops, come with internal wireless receivers, but it is also possible to purchase a wireless adapter that can be attached to a piece of hardware such as a computer or a printer in order to enable it to connect to a wireless network. In an Ethernet network, the components are all attached to the router using Ethernet cables. It is also possible to choose a router that has both wireless and Ethernet connections. A desktop computer can then be connected via an Ethernet cable, while a laptop may use the wireless connection.
The router forms the heart of your home network. Each device that is connected to the router can communicate with all of the other devices in the network, via the router. Your hardware devices can also access the internet with your business through the router, which will be connected to your phone line. Your router should be protected by a firewall to prevent anyone from accessing your network without permission. Most routers are supplied with firewall protection. It is also usually a good idea to install a firewall on each of the computers that form part of the network, in order to provide additional protection. It is important to ensure that your network is secure, for example by choosing a password for your wireless connection that it will be very difficult for anyone to guess.
