MINIMUM EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS | Home Networking Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Your Home Network

As you contemplate the purchase of network devices, you need a financial blueprint as well as a physical plan. Some of the add-on equipment for networks looks really cool, but you might want to stick to the necessities for a while.

Tip: Unlike most other commodities, computers and computer equipment keep getting less expensive. If you can't make up your mind about buying some nifty gadget, it's fine to delay the decision because the price will certainly go down.

ETHERNET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To add a computer to an Ethernet network, you need a network adapter in the computer (most computers come with built-in Ethernet adapters) and a length of Ethernet Category 5 cable long enough to reach the hub, switch, or router you're using to connect the network.

If you run out of LAN ports (RJ45 connectors for Ethernet cable) on your hub or switch, you can either buy a new, larger device (one with more ports), or add a second hub or switch and daisy chain it to the existing hub or switch. Connect Ethernet cable between the Uplink port on the existing hub/switch to an empty port on the new device.

Warning: Refer to the distance maximums between hubs and switches documented earlier in this appendix.

Tip: Unlike older hubs and switches, today's devices accept regular Ethernet cable to connect the Uplink port to another hub/switch. Older equipment required a special cable for this connecton.

If you're using a router as your connection point and you run out of ports, buy a hub or switch and connect it to one of the router's ports. Use the new hub/switch for the connection you're removing from the router, and for the new computers you're adding to the network.

WIRELESS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To add a wireless computer to your wireless network, you need only a wireless network adapter. If you plan to use the new wireless computer in a location too far from the router to get a reliable signal, buy an access point and place it between the computer and the router.

If you're adding a wireless computer to an existing wired network, you must purchase an access point to bridge the wireless connection to the wired network.

POWERLINE AND PHONELINE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To add a powerline or phoneline computer to your existing powerline or phoneline network, you need a network adapter for the computer. If the phoneline network adapter doesn't come with a telephone cord, you must buy the cord.

If you have a phoneline network and you want to put the new computer in a room that lacks a telephone jack, buy a longer telephone cord and plug it into a jack in other room, or daisy chain the new computer to an existing computer by connecting the telephone cord between the two network adapters.