Home Networks 
Practical Guide
To A Home Network
FAQ
Can I share a cable or DSL connection between several computers?
What is the network interface card?
Can I use my phone wire for networking?
How is the station wire terminated?
Ethernet is the most commonly used network technology. It runs over twisted pair cable consisting of 4 pair of color-coded wire. Speeds on a home network are typically 10 or 100 Megabit per second.
Can I share a cable or DSL connection between several computers?
Using an Internet proxy device or PC with two network cards running Internet sharing software will enable you share your connection.
The protocol, which is most commonly used, is TCP/IP. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is used to communicate over the Internet and many home and corporate networks. It provides the means for data to cross the network. Another protocol that is widely used on home networks is IPX. Internetwork Packet Exchange is used for some gaming programs.
What is the network interface card?
Network Interface Card – this is a card that installs inside your computer (many newer computers have this built-in, as do many new laptops). The NIC contains the physical connection that allows a computer to communicate with other computers over a network.
Can I use my phone wire for networking?
There are kits available that will allow you to use your existing phone wiring for your home network. More information can be found under Products/Home Networking.
How is the station wire terminated?
With Ethernet, both the jacks and patch panel have color-coded groves, in the rear, to place the wire ends.The front contains the RJ-45 jack. A punch tool is then used to press the wire onto the connection blades. Professional punch tools have a cutting edge which cuts off the excess wire as you punch the connection. Free tools included in some networking kits require you to snip off the excess wire with clippers.
See (Wiring A Home Network) for more information.
This guide was written by Raymond Melnik, a Telecommunications Specialist and Systems Engineer who has been certified in Northern Telecom, Cisco, Microsoft and Novell.
With contributions from the glossary by Sergey Polak.
