What equipment is needed for a small network?
• A small office or home network must have network compatible computers, that is they must have network interface connectors (typically modular phone jack type with eight wires), and network compatible operating systems (most are). • A network hub is needed to connect the computers together. • Appropriate cables connect the network hub to the firewall and to the computers. The most common configurations use “Category 5” cabling. • The network firewall. • The modem or interface that connects you to the internet service provider (ISP). This can be a cable modem, a DSL modem, an ISDN modem, a dial-up modem, or a leased line interface. It must be an external modem (separate box), not an internal modem (card that goes into a PC). • A cable connecting the network firewall to the modem. • A cable connecting the modem to the cable TV or the telephone line. We provide diagrams to help you visualize the connections. If I use a dial-up modem to connect my firewall to the internet, how does the ph
