NETWORKING
We offer networking (wired and wireless) creation and
support in the Mid Sussex area of England, UK. If you are
not even sure which type of network you require, then read
the following paragraphs before getting in touch. It may
help you decide!
Networks and networking devices can be simple, or have a
bewildering array of options and settings. It all depends
on what you want the network to do and what is connected to
it.
WIRED NETWORKS
Networks can be as simple as several machines connected to
a hub* or switch* by network cables. We use the word
machines, as game machines like the X Box 360, some
printers, and certain external hard disk drives can connect
to these networks.
WIRELESS NETWORKS
Rather than using a wired hub or switch like above, a
wireless access point can connect wireless capable machines
together. The different speeds available can often be
mixed, as long as they are of the 802.11* standard.
INTERNET SHARING
Internet sharing allows several machines to access the
world wide web simultaneously through one internet
connection. With some of todays broadband speeds, you don’t
even notice it it shared.
There are two main ways of Internet Sharing.
1) A computer connects to the internet, then shares it’s
connection to a network
2) A device called a router connects to the internet and
the connection is shared from there.
Option 1) relies on a computer that uses a modem to connect
to the internet, and without that being switched on,
nothing else on the network has an internet connection.
This is often a less expensive way, but is often less
flexible and more prone to attacks from the internet.
Option 2) has a device called a router connected to the
internet, so any computer or networked device, has an
internet connection whenever they are turned on. Quality
routers also have hardware firewall systems built in.
Firewalls act as a safety barrier between the internet and
your network. A wireless router (a router with built-in
wireless access point) can send your internet connection
throughout your home, without a mess of wires, and makes
laptop computers a joy to use. Provided they are set up
with good security, you need not worry about people
‘hacking’ into your network.
Other equipment can also share out an internet connection,
but they are essentially more advanced versions of the
router. These include Storage Gateways. These are a router
with a networked hard drive, and usually USB sockets to
allow the connection of other hard drives or printers to
the network. This allows files and printing services to be
shared as well as the internet, without a particular
computer having to be turned on.