Router network switch setup

If you are still not convinced about this discussion, here are some of the other benefits of pre-defining the home network design:.

Also, if you are looking to keep the discussion as simple as possible, a secured and basic home network typically comprises three essential elements, including a router, switch, and firewall. Despite most home networks simply being the variations of specific network layouts, each comes with its share of pros and cons.

While some are highly secured, some are designed to emphasize speed and even security. Probably the most common network layout, this conglomerate features a standard router with a reliable wireless adapter. Considering that you already have a modem with the ISP feeding into the same, the router is supposed to connect to the modem via the WAN port.

It is the router that makes the entire home network wireless and it is advisable to purchase one with MU-MIMO support for it to handle multiple connection requests without slowing down. The basic layout inclusions are modem, router, and the devices that are to be connected. This home network layout mitigates the range and connectivity-specific issues of a router.

As a part of this network layout, the home devices are connected to the router via the Ethernet cable. Good routers offer 2 to even 4 Gig Ethernet ports, thereby allowing you to set up wired connections with ease.

Unlike the wireless network that can be established via USB network adapters, Ethernet networks only work if the concerned device has a network adapter to show for. Plus, you need to understand that not every Ethernet port connects to the gadgets at home.

But then, Ethernet networks hardly fit in if you are seeing internet connectivity for a significantly large home. This is where Switches come into play and I shall talk about these in some other network layouts. Probably the most common home network, this layout comprises a router or a router-modem combo, depending on your budget.

Better termed as a hybrid network, most devices are either connected wirelessly or via Ethernet ports. A good approach to setting up this home network is to purchase a router with at least four Ethernet ports and a decent enough range. A rule of thumb, for this type of home network, is to assign the Ethernet ports to the most demanding home devices, including the Smart Hub. Most home and office-based setups use UTP cables to connect the wired devices.

This type of network is rarely established owing to the lack of necessary security safeguards. However, individuals who only have one device at home often look to minimize the additional costs associated with purchasing a router by connecting the device directly to the modem. This way, you end up accessing the direct ISP line, which is still equally fast but plagued by the lack of security. As the internet comprises malicious elements, this network layout is often avoided by private and even professional users.

Plus, the IP address pertaining to the modem is persisted as you do not have a routing device at your disposal. This network is perfect if you are planning to expand the Ethernet support of your router. Also known as a router-switch network, this setup allows you to connect multiple devices to the router, using the Ethernet itself. Most routers have limited Ethernet ports with even the best ones only featuring only 4. A Switch can, therefore, increase the Ethernet coverage and allow several devices to be connected to the internet via the UTP Ethernet cable.

Plus, a switch-based network can either be managed or unmanaged. In case you connect the Ethernet port to a managed switch, depending on the number of ports you seek, you can make use of network prioritization, traffic control, and also get access to virtual LANs.

However, as a managed switch can cost you a fortune, it is better to set up a Smart Switch network. The Switch selection is at your prerogative as you can select a 4-port Switch or even one with 48 ports to show for. While most of the networking and layout concepts are similar to that of the one with Managed Switches, unmanaged switches are simpler to work with and offer plug-and-play support. Daisy chaining is still possible but you should refrain from it as unmanaged Switches do not have the hardware to prioritize traffic, which might slow down the daisy chains considerably.

With an access point, mirror the router at a farther location, specifically by connecting it with the router via the Ethernet cable. Initially, even the access point feels like an Ethernet connection but it actually mirrors a router and allows you to connect several wireless devices to the internet, at once. As far as the transmission channel is concerned, it can move data packets in the 2. Plus, with a WAP in play, it becomes easier to bring other devices into the existing LAN domain, as you can place it almost anywhere, either by connecting it to the router or even a PoE-enabled switch.

I have to work from home quite a bit, so as far as I know, I cannot set up a wireless router and static IP addresses. The server and Windows 10 computer 1 see each other and communicate easily without problems. I have each hard wired into a netgear switch. I connected Windows 10 computer 2 to the same switch, but cannot connect to each of the other 2 units Windows and server User names and passwords match on each machine.

Do you have any advice about how to get the Windows computer to talk to the other 2? Your advice is appreciated. Thanks, john. John for all computers to see each other they would need to connect to the hotspot on your phone.

You can buy mobile wi-fi routers which would be a much better solution. On my work pc. They are both set to automatic IP setting. Thanks, Hamis. I have a work computer and a home laptop. The work computer is wired to my router and a line to my wall. I use wifi on my laptop. Is my connection for home use private or can my company access my interaction on my laptop since I know they can pop onto my screen to see what I do on the work computer.

What sort of networking would I need to have to prevent them from joining onto my personal laptop? I would assume that the company installed software on the work computer to allow them to access it remotely. If you have cable or fibre to the home then this is usually a coax cable. Does that make sense? I have a wired Ethernet home network which was installed at least 10 years ago. We were able to share files, printers etc on 3 laptops around the home We had a very good internet service to manage the network.

It identified any additional hardware and installed it into the system. However, it was bought out by Corel some years ago and closed down!

Nothing similar that I could find has appeared since. Now with Windows 10 eliminating Home Group we have so far been unable to set up a replacement network. Windows instructions for sharing on a home network are complex to say the least! So what now? Do I need to uninstall the remnants of the old network and install some thing new? What is it? Perhaps there is a programme somewhere like the one described above? Going wireless is not an easy option because of interfering structures in the home.

Thanks for any advice. On my home network I share printers and folders on different windows machines and Linux machines using Windows networking. To make it easy you need to create a user account with the same name and password on each machine and if you can be as open as possible use everyone when sharing as it makes it easier.

The difficult part with sharing is security so just be careful what you share. Once you are setup and it is working then you can change it to make it more secure if you need to. Steve, Thank you for your good advice. A problem of age and memory! It is possible to plug the digital phone cord into a ethernet switch, will the phone signal and the internet signal work together? I use two laptops, one a primary for everyday use, the other a secondary for backup purposes.

Both have Ubuntu Linux as their operating system. I would like to synchronize files between the two but cannot at present do this. I have facilitated file sharing in the relevant folder of the secondary laptop. The whole situation is confusing me. Can you help in any way? Thanks in advance for any response. You should be able to ping each machine from the other one. It should work. Let me know how you get on. Hi Steve, You have a great website.

I like how you cover most important networking concepts and components in a clear and concise manner. I disagree with question 4 on the quiz.

If your computer does not have at least one proper DNS IP address configured, it cannot connect to the internet. Your email address will not be published. Skip to content Today almost every home and small office has a local network, and an Internet connection.

Early pre home networks were predominately wired networks. Not so easy and fast to setup as it requires running cables. However Homeplug or powerline adapters can be used instead. Not so easy for visitors and mobile devices laptops to connect to. Main Uses It Is best used for network backbone i. Wireless Network Advantages Easy to setup from an end user perspective.

Allows easy access to smart phones, Tablets and mobile devices. No cables to run. Wireless Network Dis-Advantages Not as Secure as wired networks without proper configuration, and easy to setup insecurely. Not as fast as wired networks. Not as reliable as wired networks. Main Uses Connecting peripheral devices like computers,smart phone,tablets etc. Most home networks will use a mixture of wired and wireless.

Cable cat 5, cat5e or cat 6 with RJ45 connectors. Telephone Cable with RJ 10 connectors. Broadband Filters. The home network diagram below shows the structure of a typical small home network For most home networks the Wireless Router or Hub which connects the network to the Internet will be the main component of the home or small home office network, and in many cases it will be the only component.

Video Notes: DSL Modem — converts digital signals into analogue signals that are suitable for sending over a telephone line. See How to Setup and Configure your Home Router Wireless Router Location The Wireless router will need to connect to the telephone line, cable or fibre network access point in your home. Therefore most people locate the Wireless router near to the main telephone socket. You can extend your home network by: extending your Wi-Fi coverage by installing additional Wireless Access Points or a more powerful access point.

It allows different nodes typically computers to communicate with each other in a smooth and efficient manner. Nowadays, Ethernet switch is the most common form of network switch. In addition to one of its most normal type gigabit Ethernet switch which used at earlier time with a lower speed up to 1 Gbps, another type, 10GbE switch is also very popular with a higher speed up to 10 Gbps.

Actually, 25G, 40G or even G switch have aroused more attention with much higher speed. A router is a networking device that routes data packets between computer networks.

It is used to connect networking devices to the internet so that multiple users can share a connection.

Normally, a router works as a dispatcher. It directs data traffic from the modem and route it to various devices.

Routers uses protocols such as ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol to communicate with each other and configures the best route between any two hosts. Most routers have four Ethernet ports which allow you to plug in up to four devices.