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As technology continues to advance at break neck speeds, many people now use multiple computer devices to remain in contact and use the web. Where once a home or office might have a single desktop computer and a land-line telephone, many folks today use smart phones, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smart TVs. People want these devices to communicate with one another and have access to the Internet.
How is this all possible?
For home and small business computer users, connecting multiple devices and computers usually is accomplished through a device called a router. A simple definition is a router “routes” communication information from one computer network to another.
Technically speaking, a typical consumer grade off-the-shelf router contains the following:
- A router.
- A switch.
- A wireless access point.
Whereas the router “routes” one network to another, a switch is where individual wired devices connect to one another. A wireless access point (AP) is how wireless devices connect to other devices or networks.
A typical consumer grade off-the-shelf router is used when there is more than one device in a home or office computer network and users want systems to connect to other networks, usually the Internet.
A local area network (LAN) consists of all of the computers and devices inside a home or building. Often most or all of these devices are connected together in some manner using a switch. Usually all computers and devices on a LAN are trusted.
A wide area network (WAN) consists of all computers and devices outside a home or building. Most of these devices are not connected together unless explicitly requested. Usually all computers and devices on a WAN are not trusted.
A wired connection describes computers and devices connected to one another using a cable. The cable is called an Ethernet cable. The connector is called an RJ-45 connector. An RJ-45 connector looks like a land line telephone connector but is larger and has more wires.
Where the connectors plug into the switch portion of a router are called ports. Many consumer grade routers have five ports. One port is for connecting to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) device. The other four ports are for local wired computers.
The port used to connect to the ISP device is called the WAN port, which is used to connect to the Internet. The other ports are called LAN ports. Some consumer grade routers label the WAN port as the Internet Port.
In metropolitan areas the ISP device often is called a modem because of the technology used. For Fast-Air customers the device is called the Customer Provided Equipment (CPE) or Subscriber Unit (SU). The CPE or SU converts digital signals from the computers in the home or office to a wireless radio signal.
When users only want local wired devices to communicate with one another then only a switch is needed. This is common with all local networks. Stand-alone switches come in many sizes, often marketed by the number of ports. Yet for any or all of these computers to have access to the Internet, somewhere in the network a router must be installed.
Network transmission speeds usually are described in terms of gigabits per second and megabits per second. A gigabit is a billion bits. A megabit is a million bits. A bit is the smallest unit of measurement used in computers to contain information.
The cables used in Ethernet connections are manufactured according to various standards. These days Ethernet cables usually are CAT5 or CAT5e. This stands for Category 5 and 5e. Category 5e supports up to 1 gigabit per second transmission speeds. Category 5 supports up to 100 megabits per second.
Some consumer grade routers support 1 gigabit per second ports while others support 100 megabits per second.
Wireless connections are slower than wired connections. Whereas most wired devices connect at speeds at 1 gigabit per second or 100 megabits per second, many wireless devices connect at speeds of about 20 to 50 megabits per second. The newest leading edge wireless devices and routers support up to 300 megabits per second.
A caveat toward understanding network speeds is somewhat like the old adage about chains being only as strong as the weakest link. Network speeds are limited by the slowest component in the connection. A leading edge wireless router might support up to 300 megabits per second, but if a laptop supports up to 50 megabits per second, then the connection speed will be up to 50 megabits per second.
Similarly, having all of the latest gadgets in the home or office will not increase Internet connection speed. That does not mean fast equipment in the home or office LAN is useless. The computers connected within a LAN will benefit from the more capable connections. That spiffy new 300 megabits per second wireless router will improve wireless connection speeds within the home or office when computer devices support that speed. Just do not expect the Internet speed to increase.
Likewise with wired connections. Computer network cards supporting 1 gigabit per second will benefit from a router having a switch with 1 gigabit per second ports. Conversely, a router supporting 1 gigabit per second ports cannot magically increase the connection speed of a computer network card that supports up to 100 megabits per second.
Another caveat to remember is rated speeds are just that — theoretical rated speeds. Actual real-world speeds are lower and often discussed in terms of throughput. Computers have to do a lot of work to communicate. That overhead lowers the actual connection speed. Typical speeds on a 1 gigabit connection might be around 600 to 800 megabits per second. Likewise, a 20 megabits per second throughput is common with a 50 megabits per second connection.
Technical trivia: Arthur C. Clarke was a well known author and inventor. Clarke developed the modern idea of communication satellites. Clarke wrote three observations that became known as Clarke’s Three Laws.
- When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
- The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
- Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Next issue: Basic Home Networking – Part 2
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