Network Diagrams For Small Networks

Remy_3D

Below is a collection of home computer network diagrams.  They are classified into major categories and contain notes about the specific network type.

[ Last edited by Sarah_Radzi on 14-2-2004 at 02:33 PM ]

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Simple Ethernet Network for two computers using a crossover cable.

Two ethernet computers may be connected directly together using an ethernet crossover cable.  A crossover cable is wired differently than a normal ethernet cable.


Simple Ethernet Network for two or more computers using an Ethernet hub or switch.

When more than two ethernet computers are connected together, hub or switch must be used.  Hubs and switches come in a variety of sizes and speeds.  Hubs and switches may be connected together to add more ports.

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Simple 802.11b wireless ethernet network without an access point.

Two or more wireless Ethernet computers (802.11b) may communicate with each other without a wireless access point.  The wireless cards must be set to 'AdHoc' mode instead of 'infrastructure' mode.


Simple 802.11b wireless ethernet network with an access point.

Wireless Ethernet adapters default to 'infrastructure' mode, a communication method that requires a wireless access point.  An access point controls encryption on your network and may bridge or route your wireless traffic to a wired ethernet network (or the Internet).  Access points that act as routers can also assign IP addresses to your PC's using DHCP services.


Bridging a wireless 802.11b network with a wired ethernet network.

The wireless access point in this diagram acts as a network bridge.  Because of the bridge, the wireless PC appears to be on the same network as the traditional ethernet PC's.  They may communicate back and forth with each other freely.


Bridging a wireless 802.11b network with a wired ethernet network using Windows XP

The computer running Windows XP in the middle diagram acts as a network bridge.  It has both a wired ethernet adapter and an 802.11b wireless adapter.  Windows XP was set up using the Media Bridge services .  Because of the bridge, the wireless PC appears to be on the same network as the traditional ethernet PC's.  They may communicate back and forth with each other freely.

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HPNA / Phoneline network between two comptuers

The diagram below shows two computers in different rooms connected using HPNA/PhoneLine networking.  The adapters shown are USB.  The blue cables represent standard phone cables, the orange are USB connections.  Note:  The phone line can be used at the same time as the HPNA network.  Notice how the HPNA adapters sit between your wall jack and your phone in the same way that an answering machine would.


HPNA / Phoneline network between three computers

The diagram below shows three computers in two different rooms connected using HPNA/PhoneLine networking.  The adapters shown are USB.  The blue cables represent standard phone cables, the orange are USB connections.  Note:  The phone line can be used at the same time as the HPNA network.  Notice how the HPNA adapters sit between your wall jack and your phone in the same way that an answering machine would.  When two computers are next to each other, they may be daisy-chained together as shown in the room on the right.


HPNA / Phoneline bridged to ethernet

The diagram below shows three computers in two different rooms connected using HPNA/PhoneLine networking and standard ethernet networking.  There is a network bridge between the HPNA network and the Ethernet network.  The HPNA phoneline adapter shown are USB.  The blue cables represent standard phone cables, the green ones are Ethernet and the the orange is a USB connection.  Note:  The phone line can be used at the same time as the HPNA network.


HPNA / Phoneline bridged to ethernet with Windows XP

The diagram below shows how the Windows XP Media Bridge service can be used to connect standard Ethernet computers to PhoneLine HPNA Computers.  The Windows XP shown has both an Ethernet adapter and an HPNA PhoneLine adapter.  All computers on this multiple media LAN can communicate freely with each other.

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Software (Single IP Address)

Two computers with ethernet crossover cable running using ICS or NAT or Proxy software.

Software like Microsoft ICS can be run on a computer to give the rest of your computers access to the internet.  The computer that runs the internet sharing software must have two network cards. The diagram below shows the computer on the left running connection sharing software.  In this example, the two computers are connected with an ethernet crossover cable instead of a hub.


Two computers with ethernet hub using ICS or NAT or Proxy software.

Software like Microsoft ICS can be run on a computer to give the rest of your computers access to the internet.  The computer that runs the internet sharing software must have two network cards.  The diagram below shows the computer on the left running connection sharing software.


Hardware Solutions (Single IP Address)

Cable/DSL router with built in switch

Using a cable/dsl router to share your Internet connection simplifies security.  As shown below, the LAN is separated from the WAN (internet) by the router witch acts as a firewall.  The example below shows a router that has an ethernet switch built in.  If you purchase a router with enough ports for all your computers, an extra hub or switch is not needed (but can be added later for more ports)


Cable/DSL router with 1 port and Ethernet hub/switch

Using a cable/dsl router to share your Internet connection simplifies security.  As shown below, the LAN is separated from the WAN (internet) by the router which acts as a firewall.  The example below shows a router that does not have an ethernet hub/switch built in.  If you purchase a router without enough ports for all your computers, an extra hub or switch can be connected easily.  Just run a standard ethernet cable from your hub/switch UPLINK port to your routers LAN port.


Cable/DSL Router with Ethernet and Wireless Ethernet LAN built in

Some broadband routers have both wired and wireless ethernet LAN connections.  In these routers, both networks are bridged together into a single network. The router also acts as a wireless access point for the wireless segment.  These routers are very versatile and like other broadband routers, they keep your local LAN traffic separate from your WAN internet traffic by acting as a firewall.


Cable/DSL router with Ethernet Plus Wireless Access Point (bridge type)

A wireless computer can be added to any ethernet network using a wireless access point of the bridge variety.  The cable/dsl router allows all computers on the ethernet network to access the internet.  The access point allows the wireless PC to join the ethernet network.  In this scenario, the wireless PC would get it's IP settings from the router.  It could then talk to any computer on the internet and see the internet through the router.


Wireless Access Point, Router variety, all computers wireless

The wireless access point in this diagram acts as broadband router.  Not all access points have routing capabilities.  Like other broadband routers, the access point keeps LAN traffic separate from WAN internet traffic with a built-in firewall.  All computers on this network are wireless 802.11b.


Cable/DSL Router for Ethernet and PhoneLine networking

The diagram below shows three computers in two different rooms connected using HPNA/PhoneLine networking and standard ethernet networking - All routed to the internet. LInksys and now some other manufacturers are producing broadband routers with both Ethernet AND PhoneLine networking built in.  The Ethernet and Phoneline networks are bridged together to form a single logical network.  That makes sharing files between your PC's easy.  Note:  The HPNA adapter shown on the right is a USB version - but it could also exist as a PCI card.  Green cables are ethernet, blue are phoneline cables, and the orange cable is USB.  The red cables represent the WAN side of the network.

   
Linux based Router
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[ Last edited by Remy_3D on 15-2-2004 at 02:51 AM ]

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