Home Networking is Especially Useful for Sharing Resources Such As Files, Printers and other Devices
Home Networking Functions Similar to that of Local Area Network used by Private Companies
The IP addresses and some host names, which are usually easy to remember, are used to know the exact location of all the things in the network. For instance, a computer with IP address 10.1.1.5 sends some files to 10.1.1..7, then the software and hardware in the network works together to know how and where to send the files from one computer to another. The ideology behind the home network principle is that used by post office. The letter is sent to a home by using the address written on the envelope. The return address helps to know where to respond. Home network utilizes the same way and so it even uses the same word “envelope” for the routing data. The Two Types of Networks are Cabled and Wireless
The cabled network uses wires called Ethernet cables that has connectors(RJ45 Jacks) to plug into the Network Interface Card in the computer, printer or into the switch. Switches or hubs are used to connect the components in the network. Sometimes, the cables are connected with the router that contains circuitry and some software to perform complicated functions. In fact, routers can be used to connect to the internet too. Wireless network functions similar to cabled networks, but does not involve use of any cables. It uses a small device called transceivers, which means transmitter- receiver. The Device Helps to Send and Receive Information by Radio Signals
If you want to print the contents of two computers in a home network with the same printer, then you can do it in two ways. In the first way, the printer is physically attached to one of the computers and in the second way, the printer is directly connected to the network itself. In the first set up, the printer is called local, yet it is shareable. Here, the computers in the network share the printer in the same way, as they do for sharing files. If the printer has its own Network Interface card and is attached with the switch or router with the help of a Ethernet cable or wireless transceiver, then it is possible for each computer to see the printer as the device. The scanners, fax machines etc in the home network performs in the same way. The printer, scanner and fax machine get an address and a name. There is separate software to be configured to share them to all the computers in the network.
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