As I have previously emphasized, there is no difference in a home with more than one computer and a small office with more than one computer in regard to connecting and using them in a LAN (Local Area Network).  In my 1997 SOHO column, I defined SOHO and identified the basic concepts.  At that time, a home network seemed about as foreign as a Microsoft product without problems.  Today, home networking kits are among the hottest items being touted in the trade shows and in retail stores.  And the kits, components, and setup instructions are in the home price range and technical to-do capability.  One article I have recently reviewed stated that approximately 17 million households now have more than one computer installed.  This set of numbers is a good indication that these households are becoming sophisticated enough for home networks. 

The advantages of the home network are many.  As my earlier columns have pointed out, shared hard drives, shared printers, and, possibly, shared communication connections are benefits of a network.  Data files can be used by different individuals on different computers.  One shared printer can be used by everyone.  Finally, in today’s broadband connectivity, one cable modem or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection can be shared by everyone.  The broadband connections have enough bandwidth to allow everyone in the home network to connect at the same time and still receive and send information without delay. 

The ease with which computers can be replaced or upgraded leaves older machines for the kids or wife to use.  Very quickly, users of those machines want to print their work, and/or, to be connected to the Internet for their own purposes.  This means extra printers, phone lines, and other costs to make those individual machines ready for use.  Suddenly, capability is duplicated and the cost has escalated, making a home LAN not so foreign.  And, the confusion of who can use the connected computer is virtually eliminated, with everyone much happier when several computers share the Internet connection. 

What Is Involved 
In my November 1998 SOHO column, I described what is now being called the "traditional" LAN network by talking about a Ethernet based network.  This network included more than one computer, NIC (Network Interface Cards), hubs, wiring, and network operating system.  NICs are I/O cards that are placed in the computer for the purpose of actually sending data from one machine to another, as well as being the interface between the computer and the network medium, the wiring.  Hubs are the central hardware connections that distribute the data to the correct address within the network.  Wiring is the medium that conducts the data from one location to another.  The NOS (Network Operating System) is the software that handles and assembles the data for transmission through the network, including the program protocols that do the data assembling and addressing.  Thus, we have the "traditional" LAN. 

Today’s technology has provided other network methods, which vary the above components for connectivity.  Connectivity is achieved through less traditional avenues, such as existing house telephone wiring, the house AC electrical power wiring, and by wireless RF (Radio Frequency) transmitters. Some kits use the late technologies such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) as the connection point. The computers continue to require the NIC as the translator of the data between the computer and the remote connection.  The hub and the wiring become less traditional through the house wiring, telephone or electrical wiring, and, thus, less efficient as data transmitters.  These non-traditional methods of data movement have advantages and disadvantages, especially the wireless method.  The primary advantage of the non-traditional kits is that they do not disrupt how the house is modified to handle the medium (wiring).  Another advantage of these techniques is when the computers to be connected are in separate rooms. No new cabling, holes, fittings, or other disruption have to be installed. 

The primary disadvantage of these non-traditional methods is data throughput.  Ethernet 10/100BaseT provides the best throughput, especially if the Internet connection is one of the broadband technologies.  Any kit or component set that establishes this type Ethernet connection is a must if the Internet connection includes or will include one of the broadband connections, i.e., direct cable or DSL.  Broadband technologies, by the way, were covered in my October 1998 SOHO column and in my April, May, June, August, and September 1999 Broadband columns. 

Non-traditional Technologies 
The RF wireless technique is especially handy when the computers are in separate rooms or on different floors in the house.  These kits use radio waves to send signals from one computer to another, much the same way as a cordless telephone does.  The radio signals from these devices are relatively weak, providing limited range and some susceptibility to interference from other radio frequency devices.  Their main advantage is that computers using the technique let one put the computers wherever one wants, including even by the pool.  PC Card devices are available for wireless laptop operations, an idea that has my interest. 

The AC power electrical wiring technique uses the existing house wiring as the transmission medium.  Each computer is plugged into an electrical wall outlet, which provides the connection between computers.  This technique is the same technique that some internal security systems work like, using the X10 protocol.  In one test I reviewed, it was stated that some AC outlets are not workable connections.  There may be a problem using the AC wiring security system with the computer network, as there may be transmission frequency overlap. 

The telephone wiring technique utilizes existing household telephone wiring and outlets as the transmission medium.  The network signal rides piggyback on top of the normal telephone signal, but does not interfere with the telephone signal.  These systems use a 5.5- to 9.5-MHz channel—a higher frequency than POTS telephones use, allowing telephone, fax, or modem use while using the network.  One disadvantage is that each computer must be located near an existing telephone jack, or, an installation must be made, thereby negating the built-in advantage. 

Some Installation Required 
All of the techniques require some assembly and/or installation of components and software.  The kit systems attempt to make installation as easy as possible, but some are easier than others do.  Most of the kit systems require that the computers be opened up for installation of a NIC—all of the Ethernet and some of the wireless kits require them.  Other kits use the parallel, serial, or USB ports for the connection to the computer.  Installation and setup can be intimidating if it has never been done before. 

There may be conflict within the computers if they have been previously networked.  This is especially true of laptops that may be setup to operate on an office LAN at work. Some of these problems can be traced to the Windows 95/98 Networking setup.  Troubleshoot these problems in the Network Icon in Control Panel. 

To share an Internet connection among computers on the network, hardware or software router, or software application called a proxy server is required.  Hardware routers work best in Ethernet and wireless connections as they provide one point of contact for the Internet traffic via a single IP address.  My Ethernet network, for example, contains a 3Com OfficeConnect dial-up ISDN router, which provides my network with bandwidth, security, and single-point connection service for all the computers in the LAN.  Routers are covered in detail in my October 1998 SOHO column. 

Proxy servers run on the computer with the physical Internet connection and acts as a gateway between the Internet and the network.  There are two excellent and inexpensive proxy server applications, WinGate Home by Deerfield and WinProxy Lite by Ositis Software, which can do this job. 

Throughput varies between the technologies.  Expect throughput from approximately 85 to 100 Mbps in the networks.  The fastest being 10/100BaseT Ethernet with the others performing at slower data rates.  File copying over Ethernet may take seconds as opposed to minutes over wireless LANs.  Again, take note, that the slower technologies do not provide enough bandwidth to handle broadband Internet connections such as ISDN, direct cable, or DSL. 

Network Products 
10/100BaseT Ethernet networks include traditional component hardware and kit systems.  The component avenue includes any number off-the-shelf hubs, ready-made UTP wiring, 10/100BaseT NICs, and dial-up routers.  Hubs range from $40.00 to $120.00.  UTP ready-made wiring comes in lengths from 2 ft to 100 ft, with costs ranging from $5.50 to $35.00.  10/100 NICs range from $17.00 to $53.00 and is usually PCI PnP in the Windows 95/95 operating system.  Dial-up routers range in price from $120.00 to $345.00. 

Ethernet kits include NDC SOHOware Starter Kit, $110.00 two nodes; BayNetworks Netgear FB104 Ethernet Kit, $130.00 two nodes; and 3Com OfficeConnect Networking Kit, four port hub, $120.00. 

The AnchorChips EZ-Link Instant Network, $90.00, USB two node network kit is the only USB based system I have seen. 

Telephone line kits include ActionTec ActionLink, $100.00, two nodes; Diamond HomeFree PhoneLine, $100.00, two nodes; and Intel AnyPoint home Network, $189.00, two nodes. 

Radio frequency kits include Diamond HomeFree Wireless, $100.00, two nodes; InnoMedia InfoAccess, $190.00, two nodes; Proxim Symphony Cordless ISA Card, $150.00 one node, $149.00 each additional node; WebGear Aviator Wireless Networking Kit, $150.00, two nodes; Acer NeWeb WarpLink Wireless Network, $100.00 per computer; CableFree home Desktop Starter Kit, $399.00, two nodes; and Compaq 2 Mbps Wireless LAN, $398.00, two nodes. 

AC power line kits include InteLogis PassPort Plug-In Network, $180.00, two nodes. 

Conclusion 
The home network has become mainstream.  There are alternatives that meet nearly any physical home and technical ability.  I am very interested in upper end wireless network connections as a means of extending my home network to the down stairs area.  The traditional Ethernet wired network LAN or kits are best for high speed/broadband Internet connections.  The non-traditional networks offer advantages in ease of set up and installation, as well as a minimum need to do damage or re-construction of the home office area.