Choosing the Right Network

Choosing the Right SOHO Network

Michael P. List, www.mpl1.com 

“In the future we will all reach a higher level of frustration using smart appliances designed to curve our current level of frustration.” 

Computer networking will continue to be a challenge to those with the desire to make it faster, easier and cheaper.  In a field were standards are regurgitated on a monthly basis a real networking standard seems like a hopeless vision.  This article is an attempt to understand today’s computer networking and the various types available for the small office/home office environment. 

Computer networking is simply a way to connect computers and peripherals to each other. Your first concern for initiating/building a network must be the hardware portion of the task.  There must be some type of link in your network before you consider what information you want to transfer. The user has a number of ways to accomplish this. The old and most popular is the “CAT” and as of right now the standard.  I label this type of network “CAT” because it uses a Category 5 coaxial, RJ45 cable to physically link computers and peripherals. Other options are available and your choice should depend on network stability and cost requirements.  We will discuss the five most common ways to network computers and give you some ideas on choosing the network that is right for you.  These networks are not listed in any preference. 

1.      The CAT Network

2.      Wireless Network

3.      Phone Line Network

4.      Electrical or Power Line Network

5.      Peer to Peer Network 

CAT or Ethernet Network:  Once upon a time Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), owners only had one way to network their two or three computers and peripherals.  The CAT network using CatV cable, Ethernet network cards and a Hub/Concentrator was the choice of SOHO users.  Until recently, the CAT network was extremely hard to setup and expensive.  Today you can setup a SOHO CAT network for as little as two-hundred dollars and be up and running in no time.  Originally the speed of a CAT network was limited to 10 Mbps.  Although slow it got the job done.  We now have reached speeds of  1 Gbps.  The current standard and still inexpensive is the 10/100 Mbps CAT network.  The 10/100 allows fast transfer time, easy setup and reliability not found in any other type of SOHO networking.  Hardware requirements and a step-by-step guide to installing a standard CAT5 home/office network are available at www.mpl1.com. 

      Wireless Network:  What a great idea, network all your PC’s, printers and other peripherals without installing any cables.  Wireless technology uses radio frequency signals to send and receive data to networked computers and peripherals.  Currently there are four standards for wireless technology.  Each are relatively new technologies and have good points and bad points.  This is where it becomes important to do your homework on the one that’s right for you.  

The first, and you have probably heard the name, is BLUETOOTH.  Bluetooth technology is still in it infancy but has a promising future.  The idea is that all appliances including your computer, refrigerator, toaster and so on will communicate with each other and store data for your access. Let’s say you’re at the office, your freezer quits and you get home six hours later to discover water everywhere. With Bluetooth technology, the freezer would send a signal to the computer and send you an email notifying you that the freezer is not working.  Interesting concept!  Because of the many types of wireless protocols available, the BSIG (Bluetooth Special Interest Group) was developed and it has over one thousand members supporting the technology.  Currently Bluetooth is limited in distance to ten meters.  It is however wireless, inexpensive, self-installing and will connect all devices and appliances.  Although not cost effective today, keep an eye on this one. 

IrDA:  IrDA (Infrared Data Association), uses low light frequency waves to transmit data. Although not a true networking solution it does deserve a mention.  IrDA works through line-of-sight component to component and will not send and receive data at the same time.  Most remote devices such as your TV and VCR use this technology.  Newer PC’s and notebook computers use IrDA for data retrieval and updating.  There are also a number of IrDA components including keyboards and mice on the market today. 

With Bluetooth and IrDA out of the way we can get to the most popular and widely used wireless networks.  HomeRF (SWAP) and WECA WiFi are the current wireless technologies in use today.  Both use a protocol known as IEEE 802.11.  Some points to consider prior to buying in to either of these is your need for mobility. As both use radio signals, it is important to remember that interference from other devices will occur.  As life goes, this will probably happen at just the time that you need the network the most.  The obvious plus to wireless is the ability to move computers and peripherals throughout the home or small office at will.  This is especially helpful if you use a notebook computer. Just remember that both have distance limits and no you can’t use either on your notebook at home and connect to your office PC ten miles away. 

HomeRF SWAP (Shared Wireless Access Protocol) uses the 802.11 wireless Ethernet standard.  Most computer stores now sell the adapters and you can throw a network together fast and easily.  Once you purchased your PC RF adapter and installed it, the network will be recognized immediately and you are on your way.  The HomeRF does not require an access point (a separate device such as a Hub that each device connects to).  Each device has a range limit of from 75 to 125 Ft.  This is more than sufficient for most home and small office use. At this time there is no SWAP device for printers or other peripherals.  You will still need them connected to a PC to be able to share them.  HomeRF will support up to 127 devices for each network and provides secure data encryption.  The two drawbacks to HomeRF will probably be the backbreaker of your decision. The first is speed; HomeRF transmits at a slow 1 Mbps.  That's one hundred times slower than the current CAT Ethernet 10/100 standard.  The second is obstructions; physical obstructions can hinder the signal. 

WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) is currently the more popular of the two standards. Designed for the business office WECA is more expensive than HomeRF.  Although it uses the same principle as HomeRF it is built on the newer IEEE 802.11b protocol standard and will run at speeds in excess of 11 Mbps. Although still slower than the CAT Ethernet standard it is considerably faster than HomeRF.  WECA has a range of 1000 Feet and is reliable.  It is easily integrated into an existing Ethernet system using a Hub/Access point.  The drawbacks to WECA are plentiful.  First, it is expensive because an access point (a separate device to transmit data), is required.  Setup is not easy and the speed of the network can vary.  Enter WiFi5, 802.11a, the newest remote network access for wireless requirements.  WiFi5 claims it can reach speeds of 54 Mbps but of course is a lot more expensive. PCWORLD tested 805.11a and stated; “The 802.11a standard theoretically tops out at a blistering 54 mbps, though we never achieved even half that speed in our tests. Still, the WiFi5 cards we evaluated delivered impressive real-world performance. Our throughput rates peaked at around 22 mbps and averaged around 13 mbp--that's more than twice the speed of the Wi-Fi, HomePlug, and HomePNA equipment we tested. With all its flaws it is the best way to go if wireless is a requirement for you.” 

Two additional types of networking are Phone-Line and Power-Line, neither is wireless.   But they do use existing cabling and do not require you to install CAT5 cable an Access point/Hub or   Ethernet network cards for each device.   

Phone-Line networking may be your best bet for networking if; you are on a limited budget, don’t mind a slow connection and can stand a little line noise from time to time.  The Phone Networking Alliance has created the HomePNA phone line protocol. It is important to remember several things affect this type of networking.  First, you will need a phone jack installed in all the rooms for each computer that you plan to network.   There are currently two Phone-Line network standards, HPNA 1.0 and HPNA 2.0.  HPNA 1.0 transmits data at 1 Mbps and HPNA 2.0 will transmit at 10 Mbps.  Remember, this is still 100 times slower than CAT.  This network is great if your computers are in different rooms.  For the exception of the occasional line noise it is reliable, and yes like DSL, you can use the phone line at the same time to make and receive calls.  You can connect up to twenty-five devices and travel up to one thousand feet.  If you want a cheap network on a budget and already have your phone lines installed this could be the network for you.  Remember, check the age of your phone cable, older wiring will not work.  Also the more interference in your walls from other wiring will be a factor in line noise. 

Power-Line is the newest network technology to hit the streets.  As stated, this network runs through your power lines in your home or office.  There are currently two Power-Line standards.  Passport by Intelogis and Powerpacket by Intellon. 

Intelogis Advertisement states, “PassPort uses AC power lines to transmit data. The network kit comes with 2 PC adapters and one Printer adapter. Additionally, you can buy a PC adapter for $79.99 and a printer adapter for $59.99. Up to 20 computers and five printers can be connected using PassPort. The PassPort Network can be easily installed within minutes! Just attach the PassPorts to each of the computer’s (or printer) 25-pin parallel ports and plug the adapters into a power outlet. Once connected, Windows 98 detected both of PassPorts and the software (on either CD or disks) installed all the necessary components.  The software even sets up the TCP/IP and IPX configuration for you. After two reboots, the computers were successfully networked.”.  Intellon has partnered with Phillips Technology to promote its power-Line Powerpacket network system.  Powerpacket and Passport have achieved speeds at up to 14 Mbps and both are inexpensive.  You can connect two PC’s for about fifty bucks.  What they don’t tell you is that due to using the computer parallel port, the connection is slow.  Also, homes and offices with older wiring will not work and other power consumption devices in the home/office will affect the network. 

Peer-to-Peer: Lastly, it is important to mention “P2P” or peer-to-peer networking.  Although not normally considered a network until recently P2P simply means connecting two devices over the Internet.  Napster, the now debunked music-sharing site built this technology into something usable. Although Napster folded, the technology has grown in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years.  It is now possible to connect two or more computers and control each via the Internet.  Much like programs such as Symantec’s  PCAnywhere, which allows control of another computer via dial-up, or IP, P2P allows you to control the same PC via the Internet.  Most users have Internet connections that they do not have to pay long distance charges for and therefore can connect via P2P from anywhere they can get an Internet connection and not have any phone charges. 

OK, we have looked at a number of ways to connect computers and also our toaster to a network.  In the future we will all reach a higher level of frustration using smart appliances designed to curve our current level of frustration.  As network technology and equipment become faster and cheaper it just makes sense to network your home or small office. Sharing devices such as printers, scanners and the all-in-one printer/scanner/fax make networking in a small office a must and just plain handy in any home with two or more computers.