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Essentials
A basic network is not that complicated to set up. Even
a couple of Windows 95 (Win95) or Windows 98 (Win98)
PCs, connected together by a special cable that runs
between their parallel ports, can be considered a network.
The problem with the Direct Cable Connection is that
you can only connect two PCs, and they cannot be more
than 12 feet apart. So, instead, why not set up a “real”
network—one that links three or four PCs together? If
this is your intention, there are some things you should
know in order to become well-connected. We’ll start
off with the basic Ethernet, a type of network that
has become the standard for most businesses, both large
and small.
Ethernet
Topology 101
A
simple Ethernet network is made up of cables, a network
hub, and network interface cards (NICs). A NIC for a
desktop PC is a type of expansion card that plugs into
your computer’s motherboard. Most Ethernet networks
employ a star topology: a single Ethernet cable runs
from each PC to the network hub, just like spokes in
a wheel. Think of the hub as a convergence point where
all of the PCs on the network interconnect. The hub
also acts as sort of a traffic cop, making sure that
the signals coming and going from one PC to another
end up at the desired destination.
Faster
& Faster
Most
Ethernets support a data transfer rate of 10Base-T,
meaning the speed across the network is 10 megabits
per second (Mbps) on twisted-pair cables. For new installations
and network upgrades in businesses, though, 10Base-T
is being replaced by 100Base-T, which has a transmission
rate of 100Mbps, and is known as fast Ethernet. Pricing
differences for NICs are negligible between the two
speeds for a small number of computers in the network.
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Coming