Philips SL400i Wired Network with More than TWO PCs, Wireless Network with More than TWO PCs

INTERNET

INTERNET

ENGLISH 41

In a network, the computers need to be able to connect to each other physically.Therefore, another important network property is how the computers connect to each other, either directly or through a central device.

ONE-ON-ONE WIRED NETWORK

also known as: Direct connection network (max. two PCs)

Note: Use a crossover Ethernet cable to connect two computers directly to each other.

WIRED NETWORK WITH MORE THAN TWO PCs

Use a hub or switch to connect more than two PCs to each other.

Note: Use straight-through Ethernet cables to connect the computers to the central device (hub/switch).

HOW TO INTERCONNECT WIRED NETWORKS

Use a gateway router to connect one network to another (e.g. to the Internet, also known as WAN).

ONE-ON-ONE WIRELESS NETWORK

also known as: ad-hoc / peer-to-peer

WIRELESS NETWORK WITH MORE THAN TWO PCs

The wireless medium forms a hub in and of itself.

No hardware hub is needed.

Note: For very small networks only.

BRIDGING WIRELESS NETWORKS TO THE INTERNET

(e.g. the Internet, also known as WAN) also known as: infrastructure / access point. Use a wireless access point or base station.

Central devices, like a hub, switch, router or wireless base station may be stand-alone devices or built into a computer.

•A hub has multiple ports and serves as a central connection point for communication lines from all computers on a wired network. It copies all data arriving at one port to the other ports. A switch is similar to a hub, but is able to handle different network speeds at each port.

•Gateway routers and wireless base stations route network traffic from one network to another (e.g. from a wired network to the Internet, or from a wireless network to a wired network or to the Internet).

Important: Wired and Wireless components may be linked together to provide a variety of network layouts/topologies.