Since Microsoft released Windows for Workgroups, networking has become quite easy and very commonplace for most home computer users.  A home network enable File sharing or using the same printer or other input and outputs instead of buying one for each available computer.

Let’s say that 10.1.1.5 or Computer Jack sends a file to 10.1.1.6 or Computer Jill.  There is an address associated with each home.  Home computer networks work in much the same way.

A home network comes in two main types:  cabled and wireless. In a cabled network different wire bundles which are known as Ethernet cables with connectors on each end plug into either a network interface card, or NIC, in the printer, fax, computer or into a switch/router.  Hubs or switches are simplified devices that allow physical connections between the components of a network.

A wireless network operates in much the same way.   The alternate set up connects the printer to the network and not to any individual computer;

Computer-Jack then just shares the printer by using software of the hosting system, Computer Jill. Then each computer on the network is able to ‘see’ the printer as a device that the computer can use.

Every device receives an address and a name.