Basic Network  |  Simple Network 

Please note this is sample network, components will vary according to quantity and type of computer equipment, as well as network functionalities that you desire. Simply add components to your initial network investment as your network continues to grow!

Requirements

Network Adapter

An internal card or external network interface card (NIC) for a PC that connects the computer to the network. Includes networking software drivers to support popular network software.

Switch

Used to segment networks into smaller connected subnets. Networks can easily overload: switching them into separate subnets can enhance performance easily and inexpensively while preserving existing investments. Switches can also be used to separate networks allowing them to share the Internet or printers and preventing them from seeing other computers within the same network.

Router

Used for shared Internet access, LAN-to LAN connections of a wide area (intranet), or high speed remote access for a user or a branch office over an ISDN, DSL, or Cable Modem line. Type of Internet access can range from analog (28k, 56k) and ISDN to Broadband DSL or Cable Modem.

Print Server

A print server allows multiple users on the same network to share one or more printers.

Internet connection, cables, connectors, and a network operating system (Windows 95, Windows NT) are also required.

Advantages

What is best about this type of network is it provides a level of security from internet hackers. Using a router, it is possible to set up a hardware based firewall that prevents outside internet users from knowing that you are connected, this makes if difficult for a malicious user to penetrate your system.

Another advantages to this type of setup is your users don't rely on any-one computer to be running in order to gain access to network resources (see Simple Network). For example, the Internet and print server is available to any computer that is located on the same network segment regardless of what other computers are running. However, there are configuration options that will allow a level of control to prevent users from accessing the different network resources.