What You Need to Know About Popular Software - Home Networking Software

A home network is a residential local area network connecting multiple devices within the home. The simplest home networks connect two or more microcomputers that share files, a printer, and a single Internet connection. Connecting a server adds functionality.

Some companies such as AT&T offer their version of home networking to furnish data, video, and voice services to residential customers. These services usually operate over the existing home wiring. The companies install and manage the network, all at a price.

While this article presents some of the software found in home networks we also consider the hardware components. Essential home networking components include a high-speed modem for connection to the Internet. Connection choices include a DSL modem for telephone subscribers and a cable modem for cable subscribers. If you choose an old-fashioned traditional modem, the service could be excruciatingly slow. If you want to connect several computers to the Internet simultaneously you'll need a router, which may be wireless. Other components include a wide variety of toys such as digital audio players, games machines, and TiVo. You may also consider a print server and for large networks, a network attached storage (NAS) device.

When your home network gets complicated you may consider designating one computer as a home server that handles account authentication, backup, file, printer, and program serving, media center serving, web serving, and more. Interestingly enough the server need not be the most powerful computer in your network. It should have a fast hard drive. An uninterruptible power supply is highly recommended.

All of these hardware devices are software driven. In principle they can be managed by unsophisticated home users, however, this promise is not always kept. One possibility to consider (we have not used this product) is Microsoft's Windows Home Server. This operating system requires that you connect the server to the router via an Ethernet Card and Ethernet cabling. Since a server usually runs 24/7 it's a good place to handle recording TV and radio shows.

Now that we have introduced the hardware, let's take a closer look at some software that may run in your home network. Because of computer and networking problems you may consider remote desktop software and other remote administration software. These products enable the family networking expert to analyze and solve the problem on Daddy's computer as if she were sitting in front of it.

Web serving software lets you set up a family-version of the Internet. Apache, the most widely used web server program, is available for free. Warning: It's not so easy to learn and please don't make any mistakes that would block your access to the Internet.

Home automation promises to grow over the years. This requires a 24/7 computer, additional hardware, and specialized software. But it provides more sophisticated lighting control than does a simple timer from the local hardware store. Other home networking applications include a family calendar, message board, and to-do lists. Ask the kids how to do messaging. You may want to play games on the computers.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet. He teaches Linux and Windows operating systems plus other computer courses at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his new website http://www.php4windows.com which teaches you how to download and run PHP on Windows computers, even if they are "obsolete." For a break from computers check out his global wine website at http://www.theworldwidewine.com with his new weekly column reviewing $10 wines.

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