Types of Network Hardware

You’ll need different hardware for different networks. Understanding what each network type requires can help you decide the network that’s right for you. If you’ve pretty much already decided you want to connect your only two computers by using an Ethernet crossover cable, you won’t have to buy much stuff. However, if you have four or five computers and want to go wired or wireless, you’ll need a few extra pieces! So, let’s spend some time looking at the hardware required for the three types of networks mentioned in this chapter: direct connection, Ethernet, and wireless. You should be able to decide what’s best for you by the end of this section.

Direct Connection

If you’re looking for a fast, easy way to connect two ...

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