Why You Want Your Own Network - Sharing an Internet Connection
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One of the newer uses for a home network is to allow everyone to share an Internet connection. This is especially true in homes where a broadband connection such as cable or DSL makes it possible for several people to surf the Web at the same time. Rather than a broadband connection being used by only one person directly connected to it at a time, a shared Internet connection gives everyone access when they want it, as shown in Figure 1-5.
Figure 1-5 With a Home Network, Everyone can Share a Broadband Internet Connection
TIP As you’ll learn in Chapter 7, “Making Your Network Secure: Locking the Network’s Door,” it’s very important to keep your home network secure from outside attacks. It turns out that the equipment that you use to share an Internet connection can actually make the task of keeping your network secure considerably easier.
The Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router shown in Figure 1-6 is an example of the type of equipment you can use to easily and securely share your Internet connection.
Figure 1-6 A Wireless Router Makes It Easy to Share Your Broadband Internet Connection
Sharing Multimedia
Regardless of all the other uses for your home network, the one that will ultimately provide you with the most enjoyment will probably be sharing various types of digital media content. You might not realize it yet, but a home network is going to make a big change in the way your family plays.
Headline: Entertainment Network Wows Friends and Neighbors
If you really want to wow your friends and neighbors, it’s hard to beat the effect of a well-thought-out system of entertainment options connected to your home network. Just imagine the possibilities:
- You can have thousands of songs arranged in play lists to match any occasion.
- You can play multiplayer video games via your broadband Internet connection.
- You can listen to countless Internet radio stations in virtually any format around the world.
- You can rent movies for instant viewing without ever leaving your home.
- You (or others) can view your prized exotic fish tank using a wireless webcam.
NOTE You can find out more about the Linksys gear mentioned in this section on the Web at www.linksys.com.
 This chapter is from Home Networking: A Visual Do-It-Yourself Guide by Brian Underahl (2004, Cisco Systems, Inc. Reproduced by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240.). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today. Buy this book now. |
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