Build It. Fix It. Own It.: A Beginner’s Guide to Building and Upgrading a PC

Chapter 6. Getting Connected: Networking Hardware

	Transport of the mails, transport of the human voice, transport of flickering pictures—in this century, as in others, our highest accomplishments still have the single aim of bringing men together.
	--Antoine de Saint Exupèry, Terre des Hommes

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Getting Wired: Understanding Ethernet Networks

• Learning about Network Interface Cards

• The Wired Connection: Network Cables

• A Connection Point for Your Network: The Switch

• Adding the Internet into the Mix with a Router

• A Buyer’s Guide to Ethernet Hardware

• Going Wireless: Understanding Wi-Fi Networks

• Learning About Wireless NICs

• Putting It All Together with a Wireless Access Point

• Expanding Your Wi-Fi Empire with a Wireless Range Extender

• A Buyer’s Guide ...