Computer Networking

If you think Computer Networking is difficult than please read this article. Let's begin talking about the computer networking hardware required for a Local Area Network (LAN). What is required? Why it is required?

What is required? For a basic Local Area Network (LAN) you have to have a basics of the following items. Two computers with network ports. Two patch cables (CAT5e or CAT6) and one hub or switch (do not concern yourself with the quantity of network ports now).

Computer: A typical computer running windows 2k, XP, or Vista. (If your computer is running an operating system older than 2k its time for an upgrade). The computer must have a networking port (RJ45) built on or added in via expansion slot. Computers missing a network card can not talk to each other in this behavior. How do I know if my computer has a network card? Glad you asked, two really quick ways you can tell. One, your computer is connected via high speed internet (DSL, Cable, Fios) that requires a network card. Two, look at the rear of your computer. You are looking for a phone plug but larger.

Networking equipment: A hub can be known as a dumb device. It has no intelligence and on vast networks it is not suggested using. To comprehend the basics of how a hub operates let us take a glance at a small office setup. In this office we have computer "A" and computer "B" and printer "1". These three hardware piece of equipment are plugged into the same 24 port hub (computer "A" in port 1, computer "B" in port 2, and the printer in port 24. User "A" send a print demand to the printer and the information goes from the PC down the network cable and into the hub. From that point the information has to check each port in order from 1 to 24 until if finds the printer. If user "A" prints again the procedure is replicated. At the same time user "B" sends a print demand to the printer now the hub has to work twice as hard to find what port the printer is on. At this time the hub operates like a stop light permitting some of the traffic through then stopping it allowing the other traffic to move. But this traffic is going to the same destination, intern you have "accidents" or in networking terms collisions.

Now its time to improve. Your network has become superior to two employees and a printer the network is running at a snail's pace and you need a trouble-free way to speed it up. Time to improve that 24 port hub into a 24 port switch. For all purposes a hub and switch are the identical except the switch is the one with the brains. If you use the same example from above (2 computers 1 printer, same setup) and they both request a print. The switch knows how hit print faster and it also retains which port the printer is plugged into. Eg it does not need to scrutinize each port each time to discover the printer.

So with your hubs or switches, computers and networking cables, you should be on the correct path to starting up your own computer network and be playing Local Area Network (LAN) games shortly. Thank you for my Computer Networking and LAN site.