A home network is a residential local area network. With the increasing availability of broadband Internet service and affordable PCs, more people are networking their multiple PCs and network-capable devices to use a single broadband outlet, usually through a cable or DSL provider.

Architecture

A home network may consist of the following components:

• A broadband modem connected to the phone line for DSL or cable outlet for cable service.
• A router between the modem and primary PC. Routers usually incorporate Ethernet ports for a limited number of networked devices. Additional devices may need an Ethernet hub to be connected to the router. Wireless routers accept any device with a wireless interface allowed through their firewalls.
• A primary PC as a terminal for the router. The PC may use software provided by the router's manufacturer to configure the router. The user interface is usually a web page on the router directly accessed by the software.
• Many DSL Modems nowdays have built in switches (4 port is normal) and can come set up directly from your ISP. These remove the need for a switch, hub, or router to connect devices (although one or more of these can be connected to allow more computers to connect)
• USB to Ethernet adaptors for devices without Ethernet cards.
• USB to wireless adaptors for devices without wireless interfaces. (For wireless routers only.)
• Secondary PCs such as laptops or PCs owned by other family members.
• Home media devices such as DVRs like TiVo, digital audio players and Internet-ready stereo systems, etc.

As networking technology evolves, more electronic devices and home appliances will become Internet ready and accessible through the home network. Set-top boxes from cable TV providers already have USB and Ethernet ports "for future use".

Some companies are working on using existing electrical wiring in the home to transfer data between devices. One obstacle is that most home wiring is very staticky. Some companies have had limited success, though, with devices transferring small amounts of data where efficiency is not an issue.

Also around in the market are devices that allow coax cabling to become an efficiant medium for network connections. Although this may not be of great use in the regular home environment, this enables smaller hotels and resorts to provide network connections over the same lines as Cable TV services.

Networks

Rete domestica