Computer Networking Hardware & Component for LAN and WLAN

In this article:

• Various computer networking for homes or small offices
• Hardware components for minimal LAN / WLAN
• Computer networking diagram

Having more than one computer in homes is common today, this is due to the demand of computing tools help people have their jobs done easily and faster. The availability of internet services for homes is so many choices including wired and wireless internet services. Internet becomes a demand to help people to find information, shop online, join social networking, do the business and so on. Sharing one single internet account with many computers in home is an economical solution for home users with two or more computers. Therefore, building a home computer network for internet sharing is a make sense solution.

What types of computer networking in home you can build easily?

Various types of computer networking in home you can build easily using networking hardware and components available in the market to meet your need.

Simple Internet Share

Typically the main reason people build a computer network in home is to share the internet connection from a single broadband internet account. What are basic components or hardware to build this simple or minimal LAN to share your broadband internet?

The minimum requirements:

1. A modem (Cable or DSL) with internet services from the ISP.
2. A wired router – for sharing the internet and network protection
3. A LAN switch – for connecting to some computers using wired connection
4. Some computer network cables

 When you sign-up a broadband internet services, typically the ISP provides you a modem-only device and connects to a single computer. To let share the internet, you require a wired router, a switch and cabling. Well, that looks complicated for me without networking knowledge. No problem, you require the following hardware – a hardware which includes the function of router, firewall protection and a four-port switch.

TP-Link TL-R402M

The TP-Link TL-R402M is an affordable wired router under $20 you can purchase from your local electronic store.

Main features:

• Connects to any cable or DSL modem-only device to share the internet
• Includes four ports 10/100Mbps to let you connect up to four computers using UTP LAN cable you can purchase separately
• Built-in firewall for your network protection.
• Installation is easy with Quick Setup Wizard

This is a four-port router, and if you require more ports to support you may consider the 8-Port Cable/DSL Router TL-R860.

D-Link DIR-515 Wireless N300 Router

Ok, I need my laptops with built-in Wi-Fi adapter to be able to connect to the network too, but not via network cable but without cable (aka wireless). No problem, instead of purchasing a wired router with four-port switch you may purchase a standard wireless router such as D-Link DIR-515 wireless N300 router to build a wireless LAN network (WLAN). With this computer networking hardware, you can connect up to four desktop computers using network cable, and connect your mobile devices including laptops with Wi-Fi, iPad, iPhone, iTune, and other cellular phone with Wifi enable wirelessly.

Main features:

• Engineered by wireless 802.11n standard provides you the wireless speeds up to 300mbps when connecting to any types of wireless N300 networking adapters
• Includes 4xLAN ports (connect up to four computers) and 1xWAN port (connect to the modem port)
• Advanced security features with NAT & SPI firewall for sharing the internet securely, protecting network against any internet threats.

With this network component (Dir-515) you can connect up to four computers using network cable and many mobile devices wirelessly.

New WNDR4500 N900 Router

Well, I want maximum power for my home network to support my large home, connect multiple home entertainment devices wirelessly, and fast speed connection to my desktop with gigabit NIC adapters. What computer networking hardware do I require? No problem, you need to purchase the ultimate speed and range Netgear WNDR4500 N900 router and to allow your home theater devices connect wirelessly to the internet you need Linksys WES610N wireless bridge. Or you may consider the Xavb5004 universal internet adapter powerline kits – a multiport powerline adapter to let you connect up to four devices, no cable but via electrical wiring. Read more detail about Xavb5004 Universal Internet Adapter Powerline Kits.

Networking Diagram

To connect the networking components as discussed above, the figure shows an entertainment wireless network environment that includes WNDR4500 router, a printer, NAS storage, home theater devices and the wireless bridge.

Choose the best computer networking hardware that is best to meet your need, do not spend money for high end components if you can not maximize the usage. Just purchase what you need, not what you want.

See also:

• Various Router Connection Diagrams for Homes or Businesses
• Home computer network using ADSL modem router
• Computer network using powerline adapter
• Various computer networking diagram