Network Hardware

As introduced in the previous lesson, in a network, computers and optional other devices are connected to share resources. When a computer or device A is requesting a resource from another computer or device B, the item A is referred to as a client. Because all or most items that are part of a network live in association or cooperation, almost any one of them can be referred to as a client. Based on this, there can be different types of clients. The most regularly used of them is referred to as a workstation.

As its name implies, a workstation is a computer on which a person performs everyday regular assignments. A workstation is primarily a personal computer (PC). It can also be a laptop. You have probably used PCs so far. Almost any modern PC can be used as a workstation and participate on a network.

Before building a computer network, when planning the workstations, you may be in one of the following scenarios.

Monitors

A monitor is a display that a user looks at when performing daily assignments. You can buy a monitor from a computer store or from a web store. When purchasing a monitor, keep in mind that users may stare at it all day long. You should put as much care as possible when acquiring one.

If you haven't bought the computer(s) and monitors, you can refer to our section on purchasing or acquiring new computers in the Lesson 4.

If you are using an existing computer, it may have a monitor attached to it already. You can still replace it if you want.

If you are using a barebone computer, make sure you purchase a monitor and attach it to it. It is usually easy to connect a monitor to a computer. It uses a unique connector usually in the back of the computer.

Printers

If you want your users to be able to print, you can use an existing printer or purchase a new one. The simplest printers will be attached to one computer and "shared" to allow other computers to access it.

Network Cables

Cable is used to connect computers. Although we are planning to use as much wireless as possible, you should always have one or more cables around. In our network, we will use Category 5 cable RJ-45. The ends of the cable appear as follows:

You can purchase this cable from a web store on the Internet. Probably the fastest way to get this cable is to go to a computer store. When purchasing it, get something with at least 6ft.

Hub

A hub is rectangular box that is used as the central object on which computers and other devices are connected. To make this possible, a hub is equipped with small holes called ports. Here is an example of a hub:

Although this appears with 4 ports, depending on its type, a hub can be equipped with 4, 5, 12, or more ports. Here is an example of a hub with 8 ports:

When configuring it, you connect an RJ-45 cable from the network card of a computer to one port of the hub.

In most cases for a home-based or a small business network, you may not need a hub.

Routers: Wired or Wireless

Like a hub, a router is another type of device that acts as the central point among computers and other devices that are part of a network. Here is an example of a wired router:

A router functions a little differently than a hub. In fact, a router can be considered a little "intelligent" than the hub.

Like a hub, the computers and other devices are connected to a router using network cables. To make this possible, a router is equipped with holes, called ports, in the back. Here is an example:

Based on advances in the previous years from IEEE and other organizations or research companies, there are wireless routers. With this type, the computers and devices connect to the router using microwaves (no physical cable).

In our (small) network, we wish to use a wireless router. Therefore, this is the kind we suggest you purchase. You can purchase a wireless router from a computer store or on the internet (http://www.tigerdirect.com, http://www.3com.com, http://www.provantage.com, etc). You can also buy a wireless router from a computer store.

Wireless Network Cards

Depending on your network budget or your customer's, instead of using wired network cards, you can use wireless ones. A wireless NIC appears as its wired counterpart. Here are two examples:

Overall, the physical installation of a wireless network card follows the same rules as that of a wired NIC. They normally come with easy to follow instructions but it may be a good idea to install the wireless network adapters after installing the wireless router. Also, it may be a good idea to purchase the network cards and the wireless router from the same manufacturer.

Most desktop computers (workstations) come without a wireless network card. If you purchase a computer from one of the big companies on the Internet, you can choose to have it shipped with a wireless NIC. Some companies may propose to install it before shipping the computer. If you buy a computer from a store and if you want to use wireless networking, you can buy a wireless network card separately. As stated already, a wireless network card is not particularly difficult to install.

Besides the wireless network cards that can be installed inside the computer, you can use external cards. These are installed using a USB port. Here is an example of a USB adapter:

These adapters, like most USB objects, are easy to connect and use. Like the other hardware parts, when you connect these, the computer detects them and helps you get them ready for use.

Unlike desktop computers, most laptops nowadays come equipped with a wireless network card (in fact most laptops today ship with both a wired and a wireless adapters). This means that, after purchasing or acquiring a laptop, you should simply check whether it has a wireless adapter. The way you check this depends on the laptop. Therefore, check its documentation. If your laptop happens not to a have a wireless adapter and you want to use one, you have two main options. The classic style of adapter appears as the following two examples: