Ethernet Network guide - connecting computers

Ethernet is the most popular and considered the networking topology standard for most computer connections. There have been many kinds of Ethernet, but the most popular is 10/100Mbps running over copper twisted pair wires. 100Mbps Ethernet is also called 100baseT and Fast Ethernet.

Older Ethernet standards ran on COAX cable and were referred to as 10base2 Thin Ethernet and 10base5 Thick Ethernet. Some hubs still have a coax connector to bridge together twisted pair and Thin Ethernet networks.

A newer Ethernet standard called Gigabit Ethernet or 1000baseT also can run over copper wire but hubs ands switches are VERY expensive.

Connections between 10/100 Ethernet adapters are made using cables that run to an Ethernet HUB or Switch. Hubs electrically connect your computers together and switches act like traffic cops making your network more efficient.

When only two computers are present. A special kind of Ethernet cable can be used called a CROSSOVER cable.

More about hubs and switches

Network Diagrams

10/100 Ethernet cables have 8 wires, of witch 4 are used for data. The other wires are twisted around the data lines for electrical stability and resistance to electrical interference. The cables end in RJ-45 connectors that resemble large telephone line connectors.

Two kinds of wiring schemes are available for Ethernet cables. Patch cables and Crossover cables. Crossover cables are special because with a single cable, two computers can be directly connected together without a hub or switch. If a cable does not say crossover, it is a standard patch cable. If you are connecting computers to a hub or switch, you need patch cables

There are also different grades of cable quality. The most common are CAT5, CAT5e and CAT6. CAT5 is good for most purposes and can transfer data at 100Mbps. CAT5e is rated for 200Mbps and CAT6 is rated for gigabit Ethernet. I like to run CAT5e whenever possible because there is usually not a cost difference from CAT5 if you look hard enough.

For all twisted pair Ethernet, 100Meters is your maximum distance.More about maximum distances   

Ethernet to Fiber media converters are starting to come down in price - they can be found for under $150.  When 100Meters is not enough distance, an Ethernet to fiber media converter can be placed on each end making the maximum distance something like 40Km (See the Example here).  Another use for fiber is electrical insulation.  Some people like to run cables underground between homes.  If you run CAT5 cable, the homes have different 'ground potentials' and you will burn out network card durring any electrical storm.  The solution is fiber!  Run fiber betweeen the homes or run a pair of fiber converters on one end of the cable with a short fiber run.  This will electrically seperate the two homes. 

PCI and ISA Ethernet cards are highly sensitive to IRQ conflicts.  If your card is not operating correctly, check for an IRQ conflict

 

Structured Wiring How-to web site

What you need for

 

3 Ethernet network adapters

3 Ethernet patch cables

1 Ethernet hub or switch

 

2 Ethernet Network Adapters

1 Ethernet Crossover Cable

 

 

Ethernet Network guide - connecting computers