NICs (Network Interface Card) or Wireless NIC

Each computer must have a NIC physically installed in their computer. One end of an Ethernet cable will connect into this NIC.

Network (Ethernet) Cable

 

The computers must be connected to each other via a networking cable. While two computers can use a special cable (cross-over cable) to physically connect to each other (NIC-to-NIC), a normal Ethernet cable (straight cable) is used in all other networking scenarios. Special networking devices are needed when connecting more than two computers. This would be a router, switch, or hub (explained below). Networking cables can come in many different kinds and lengths. For home networking a simple CAT5 UTP Ethernet cable (or higher grade) will do.

Router

A smart networking device which allows you to network your computers and share the Internet between computers. A router can automatically assign the computers IP addresses and manage the Internet connection, thus sharing the Internet and resources between all computers which are connected to it. Routers will only accept physical connections via Ethernet cables. Most cable or DSL modems provided by ISP’s can be plugged into a router for centralized Internet connection sharing.

Switch

A switch is another networking device which allows you to connect two or more computers, but does not have routing capabilities like a router does. It cannot automatically assign addresses to your computers, or manage and share the Internet connection for your network. Although a switch cannot route in the some manner as a router, it does keep a small list of computers which are connected allowing for faster communication between networked computers (as the switch knows which computer is in what plug/port). When using a switch in your topology, one of the computers must share the Internet connection (through Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing, also known as ICS) to allow other computers to access the Internet. This host computer will usually have two NICs installed, one connecting to the Internet connection (ISP), and the other NIC connecting to the switch. All other computers on the network will connect to this switch to access the shared Internet from the host computer. Even if ICS is not enabled, the computers are still able to share resources between each other.

Hub

A hub is another networking device which allows you to connect two or more computers but does not have the routing capabilities like a router. A hub also not as smart as a switch as it does not keep track of information or clients connected. Instead, it sends data to all connected computers until the specific computer is found.