This diagram illustrates use of a hybrid wired network router / wireless access point home network. See below for a detailed description of this layout.
Hybrid Home Network Diagram Featuring Wired Router and Wireless Access Point
Nearly any home network wireless access point will have no issue managing to support the number of wireless devices there. However, if all WiFi computers attempt to use the network at the same time, performance slowdowns can result.
All devices connecting to an Ethernet router must possess a working Ethernet network adapter. All devices connecting a wireless access point must possess a working WiFi network adapter.
Optional Components - Networking of Internet access, printers, game consoles and other entertainment devices is not required for either the router or access point to function. Simply omit any of these components shown that do not exist in your layout.
You can choose which devices to connect to the router and which to the wireless access point. Additional network adapters may be needed to convert some Ethernet devices, particularly printers and game consoles, to work wirelessly.
Limitations - The WiFi portion of the network will function only to the limit of the wireless access point's range. The range of WiFi equipment varies depending on many factors including layout of the home and any radio interference that may be present.
If the wireless router does not support enough Ethernet connections, add a secondary device like a network switch to expand the wired portion of the layout.
Direct Connection is common for game consoles to support two-player network gaming (e.g., Xbox System Link).
Optional Components - Connecting to the Internet requires that one computer possess two network adapters - one to support the Internet connection and one to support the second computer. Additionally, Internet connection sharing software must be installed to allow the second computer Internet access. If Internet connectivity is not necessary, these things can be omitted from this layout.
Limitations - Direct connection works only for a single pair of computers / devices. Additional devices cannot join such a network, although other pairs can be connected separately as shown above.
Optional Components - Networking an ad hoc layout for Internet access, printers, or game consoles and other entertainment devices is not required for the rest of the home network to function. Simply omit any of these components shown that do not exist in your layout.
Limitations - All devices connecting via ad hoc wireless must possess a working Wi-Fi network adapter. These adapters must be configured for "ad hoc" mode instead of the more typical "infrastructure" mode.
Because of their more flexible design, ad hoc Wi-Fi networks are also more difficult to keep secure than those using central wireless routers / access points.
Ad hoc Wi-Fi networks support a maximum of 11 Mbps bandwidth, while other Wi-Fi networks may support 54 Mbps or higher.
Optional Components - Networking of Internet access, printers, or game consoles and other entertainment devices is not required for the rest of this home network layout to function. Simply omit any of these components shown that do not exist in your design.
Additional hubs and switches can be incorporated to the basic layout shown. Connecting hubs and/or switches to each other expands the total number of computers the network can support up to several dozen.
Limitations - All computers connecting to a hub or switch must possess a working Ethernet network adapter.
As shown, unlike a network router, Ethernet hubs and switches cannot interface directly to an Internet connection. Instead, one computer must be designated as controlling the Internet connection and all other computers access the Internet through it. Internet connection sharing software can be installed on each computer for this purpose.
When connecting multiple computers with phoneline networking, one central computer "gateway" must be established. The gateway represents the network's primary device for connecting to the Internet. A few models of home network routers (sometimes called "residential gateways") support phoneline networking today. Otherwise, you must designate one computer as the gateway and install two network adapters on this computer to enable it for gateway functions. Depending on the type of primary device chosen, hybrid networks with a combination of phoneline, Ethernet or Wi-Fi devices can be created.
The Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA) develops technology standards that compatible phoneline equipment must support.
Optional Components - As mentioned above, a network router is optional when building a phoneline home network. Phoneline networking also works regardless of whether the residence is subscribed either to basic local telephone service or to DSL Internet service.
Limitations - HomePNA phoneline networking has proven much less popular than Wi-Fi or Ethernet alternatives. Phoneline networking products will generally be more difficult to find, and there will be fewer choices of models for this reason.
All phoneline network equipment must be connected to the same electrical circuit within the residence. Specifically, residences that have two phone lines installed, must choose one or the other line to connect all devices.
The range of an HomePNA (version 2.0) phoneline network is about 1000 feet (300 m). The maximum bandwidth of an HomePNA 2.0 network is 10 Mbps, while an HomePNA 3.0 network supports more than 100 Mbps. The speed of phoneline networking can suffer depending on the quality of phone cables installed in the residence.
To connect to a powerline network, one end of the adapter plugs into a standard electric wall outlet while the other connects to a device's network port (usually Ethernet or USB). All connected devices share the same communication circuit.
The HomePlug Powerline Alliance develops technology standards supported by compatible powerline equipment.
Optional Components - Not all devices on the home network must be connected to a powerline router; hybrid networks with Ethernet or Wi-Fi devices can be joined with the powerline network. For example, a Wi-Fi powerline bridge can optionally be plugged into a wall outlet, enabling wireless devices to connect to it and in turn to the rest of the powerline network.
Limitations - HomePlug phoneline networking remains much less popular than Wi-Fi or Ethernet alternatives. Powerline networking products will generally be more difficult to find with fewer choices of models for this reason.
Powerline networks generally do not work as reliably if devices plug into power strips or extensions cords. Connect directly to the wall outlets for best results. In homes with multiple circuits installed, all devices must connect to the same one circuit to communicate with each other.
The maximum bandwidth of a HomePlug (version 1.0) powerline network is 14 Mbps, while the newer HomePlug AV standard supports more than 100 Mbps. Poor quality electrical wiring as found in older homes can degrade the performance of a powerline network.