Hardware Requirements for a Network

Computer networks come in all sizes.

By definition, a network can be as small as a Network Interface Card (NIC) connected to an Ethernet cable, while some networks are large and span several types of technology. Home networks can be designed to share Internet with several computers throughout the house or use servers to share files and printers. No matter what kind of network you're planning, there are some common hardware requirements for all networks.

End-User Devices

End-user devices can include much more than just a laptop or desktop computer. The end user device is any part of the network that is the final delivery point for information. It can be a Sony PlayStation connected to the network to play games with a friend in another state, a digital video recorder (DVR) that streams movies or a Wi-Fi-enabled smart phone used to browse the Internet.

Cabling

There must be a way to carry data to the end-user device. A common, simple method is to use Category 5 (Cat 5) cable to connect computers together, especially if they are located in permanent locations, like a workstation set up at a desk. Using cables usually requires either running several feet of the Cat 5 along or through the wall.

Wireless

While you may think that a wireless network doesn't require a hardware attachment, this isn't quite accurate. There may not be yards of cabling strung through a building, but in a wireless network there has to be a radio-enabled device at either end to send and receive the information. With devices transmitting data, you can sit anywhere in the building with your laptop and be connected with the network.

Servers

In many networks, important data may be kept on a server, which is a computer centrally accessed by other computers on the network. These servers then communicate with the end-user devices to deliver their data over either cable or wireless communication. Servers can provide security for your programs and files, and enable you to manage your network from one place. If you have a server, you don't even have to use a router for serving out data or Internet signal. The server can provide this function through a hub, a device that has a space to plug your server into, and several openings where the individual Cat 5 cables can be connected.

Internet Sharing

One of the most basic reasons to have a network is to share the Internet with more than one computer. This requires the use of a modem to decode the signal sent by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and present it to your computers. Cable modems, satellite modems and DSL modems can all serve this purpose, although dial-up modems are usually too slow to use in sharing the Internet with a network.

References

• Microsoft: Home Network Requirements