What Does It Take to Build a Network

 Setting up a home or business network requires some shopping for hardware, and some time setting it up the way you want it. First, you need to decide which kind of network is best for you. There are different types of networks, known as technologies. Fortunately, the differences among these technologies are clear even to new computer users.www.tartoos.com

A technology is the way computers in a network connect to one another. There are three widely available choices: wireless, phone line, and Ethernet®. We'll cover those three, break down the different kinds of Ethernet and wireless technologies, and help you decide which one is right for you.www.tartoos.com

A quick Web search will find forums where the debates never end about which technology is best. You can get the latest news and hear about real-world experiences by reading these arguments, but keep in mind that your computers, your home or office, and your wallet probably aren't part of the debate until you join the fray. We'll talk more about matching your situation to the right technology later.

The three basic variables to consider about technologies are: speed (data speed, not setup speed), cost, and wiring. A rule of thumb is to get the most of any two of the three variables. For example, a fast, cheap network might require running lots of wires, while a fast network that's easy to set up could cost more. Sometimes the differences are small, and one person's advantage is another's disadvantage; but try for a technology in which the advantages outweigh the disadvantages two to one.www.tartoos.com

While older technologies might be slower, they're usually cheaper and have had more time to work out kinks. Don't be afraid to ignore the "latest and greatest" if you don't need a blazing fast network.

Key Questions to Askwww.tartoos.com

What do you want to use your network for? This will help you determine how fast your network needs to be.

* Share a printer. If this is your aim, you can probably afford to sacrifice a little speed.

* Share an Internet connection. No matter how quickly your network brings Web pages to each computer on the network, it can't go any faster than your Internet connection.

* Share and collaborate on lots of data (like documents, music, or picture files). For these activities, you need a fast network.

For first-time network users, the trickiest thing to estimate is how often you'll be transferring medium-sized files, and whether you'll always be willing to wait while the network moves them. If people on the network work together on files several times a week (proofreading homework, perhaps), then a medium-speed or fast network cuts the wait.

How much wiring would you do? How far apart are your computers? Are you willing to physically connect them with wire? If you have Ethernet wiring (also called Cat 5, or 10/100) already in your walls, you should probably use it—it practically makes the choice for you. Otherwise, connecting computers that are far apart means running wires from room to room.www.tartoos.com

How much are you willing to spend? Your key decision at this point is whether you are willing to spend more than $100 per computer or not. We'll give some general cost guidelines after we look at descriptions of each network technology.