What are the Different Types of Home Network Installation?

Home network installation options have changed significantly over the past few years. This change is due to the decrease in the cost of hardware components required to support a computer network. Another key factor in the increased interest in this type of network is the widespread adoption of both laptops and desktop computers for personal use. There are four types of home network installation: wireless, personal area network, local area network, and virtual private network.

One of the most popular home network installation options is wireless networking. This type of network requires the purchase of a wireless router and the installation of a wireless card in all the computers, laptops, and computer equipment that will be attached to the network. The wireless router distributes the signal, which is accessed by the wireless card. Through this home network installation option, users can access the Internet and shared files without the restriction of wires and cables.

A personal area network is created through wired connection between several computers. The most common method is to add a series of network outlets to the telephone distribution network in the home. A separate jack is added to each outlet, allowing users to connect to the network through the use of an Ethernet cable. These network cables are designed to transmit data signals at high speeds.

The creation of a local area network in a home network installation is becoming increasingly common as more people set up home businesses that require the use of complex computer technology and processing power. In a local area network, the primary computer is used as a server. This computer is used to store large amounts of data or to run complex, resource-intense software programs or host websites and related applications.

A virtual private network uses open connections or virtual circuits to create connections to other computers and related equipment. Security protocols and software programs are used to create restricted access to the various data and software programs. The transmission options can be set within the software program. Each computer that connects to the virtual network must enter the Internet protocol (IP) address of the virtual private network, along with an accepted user name and password.

The primary benefit of a home network installation is the increased ability to share access to the Internet, printers, and computer files stored on other computers. A growing number of homes have one desktop computer and two or three laptop computers or net books. A computer network is the most cost and resource effective way to allow multiple people to work with computer technology in the same home.