It occurred to me that not everyone understands what Home Networking is or why it is of interest.
[UPDATE 19/03/04: If you need help with Home Networking go to Chetnet as your starting point - there are lots of very helpful people who use this site and forums who can give you good advice]
4 key points for me:
ntl's broadband service currently only allows 1 device to be connected at once.Although the Aceeptable Use Policy says you can connect up to 4). You can pay extra for a PC + Console service but it doesn't really solve the many devices connected or the ability to talk to different PCs.
In order to create a Home Network you need some kind of Router, with switching, and some kind of adapter to connect to the computer (or device).
A router basically allows you to communicate between computers by directing your communication traffic around. (If you want something more technical there are some links at the bottom of the post)
My Set Up
My set up currently is thus:
2 PCs connected by ethernet (wire) via ethernet card to the router
Xbox connected by ethernet (wire) via built in ethernet card to the router
PS2 connected by 802.11b (wireless) via Network adapter and Ethernet bridge to router
Laptop connected by 802.11g (wireless) via PCMCIA Card to router
This allows me to communicate easily between the two wired computers for sharing of files, storage and division of labour. I will use one of the PCs for development & testing of website 'stuff' and mostly learning (or remembering) of how to code. The other PC is my main device for computing, connecting to the Internet and has printers, external storage and USB hub etc.
Xbox is upstairs need the PCs and is connected to Xbox Live service for networked gaming.
PS2 is downstairs and connected for networked gaming.
Laptop is for roaming Internet access and testing only.
Future development
I would like to add a PDA device with an adapter to connect to Internet and other PCs.
I would like to add some other adapaters or devices related to home entertainment. Initially this will probably be something like the Linksys Media Adapter but may well increase to something else.
I think fairly soon (2 to 3 years) more and more devices will expect an Internet connection and provide additional services to you within your Home.
Such things will include Fridges, Washing Machines and Microwaves, and applications that offer security type functionality e.g. wireless connected cameras.
Of course some people are into full home automation (see here) but I think Orange and others have proven this to be generally a step too far for most people (iSociety posting on Smart Homes).
Applications are also something to consider by which I mean the kind of software functionality that will be added to make use of all this connected hardware. I'm less clear on this but Marc Canter is a good starting point for that type of thinking, and I'll post some more later on this.
Support
If you are thinking of setting up a Home Network then good luck! It should be straightforward and easy although sometimes it can be tricky. Here are some good sites to help out (with a slight ntl bias):
Chetnet - excellent site for help on all things computer and cable modem (it has a number of colleagues support on it including my current ex-manager!)
ntl: Communities - ntl's official support site with Knowledge base (although its not much use for Home Networking) Now gone!
nthellworld.com - ntl's unoffical forum & support site (ntl owned) Also gone!
nthellworld.co.uk - non-ntl forum and support site (independently run site)
Robin Walker - lots of technical stuff about cable broadband in the UK
How Stuff Works - excellent site for explaining things - even to idiots like me :)
Linksys - education section on what, when why and how of networking
Microsoft - Sharing a computer with Windows XP
Xbox Live - UK version of the site
Sony PlayStation Network gaming guide
i would like to link up two computers to ntl broadband in the same house one upstairs one downstairs we already have ntl broadband
Posted by: rocco musto at March 3, 2004 03:24 PMI would like to link up two computers to ntl broadband in the same house one upstairs one downstairs I already have ntl broadband. I am very wary about setting up a home network, any help will be appreciated. I have purchased a router and enuff cable to connect up both PC,s. One runs windows XP the other windows 98, will the router automatically assign IP addressess to both PC's will I have to tell NTL about the router or will the router once installed automaically become the host. Help I am confused? Regards Steve
Posted by: Steve Ayres at March 19, 2004 10:37 AMSteve
In general the cable service will assign an external IP address to the router. The router itself uses something called NAT (Network Address Translation) to give private IPs to both your PCs. As I don't know the exact setup that's a generalised answer.
ntl do not need to be told, Home Networking is allowed within ntl's terms and conditions, although be aware that if you have technical issues, ntl will not assist with the router side of things only the cable modem connection to a single PC.
I am not really an expert though and if you require any in depth help I would heartily recommend http://www.chetnet.co.uk..
Posted by: Paul Goodison at March 19, 2004 12:54 PMthis is a brand new computer and i have been trying for 2 weeks to install broadband after endless hours talking to customer service only to go around in circles i would like to know if anyone has had similar problems .i can get as far as searching for i.p.adress and thats it on the set up cd. i am new to computers and if i could find these non existent engineers i would tell them where to stuff there modem in the meantime i am paying for something i havent got ...thankyou just needed to talk to someone colin
Posted by: colin diggins at June 6, 2004 11:48 AMi am trying to set up a home network hard wired with a wireless router but the second computer keeps telling me i have a plug not connected can you tell me what i have done wrong cheers
pete
Posted by: peter denton at November 30, 2004 08:24 PM