Home network hardware demystified!

The nuts and bolts of your network explained

Every network is made up of hardware, first and foremost. Home network hardware like network adapters, switches, routers - they all add up to create the most effective means of communicating that man has ever seen.

Network hardware does need software to operate but fortunately almost no understanding of the hardware or the software is required to set up and use a network. It's like the old saying, "You don't have to understand internal combustion in order to drive a car around."

However, it is useful to know what the parts do, if only in general terms (after all, you know the wheel is for steering and the pedals make the car stop and go).

Below we examine the different pieces of network hardware that can be found in a home network. Use these components of home network hardware to diagram your network.

• Broadband Modem
• Hardware Firewall
• Router
• Network Interface Card
• Network Cables
• Network Switch
• Wireless Access Point
• Network Printer
• Network Storage
• Media Server

• Why a network?
• Types of networks
• Design a network
• Set up a network
• Network hardware
• Network software
• Network security

Information:

Zombie Alert!

According to a 2007 Symantec report, home users were the most highly targeted sector, accounting for 95 percent of all targeted attacks in the US. The hackers are actively searching for your unprotected computer to turn into a zombie!

Click here to learn how you can protect your network from hackers.

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