As a SOHO owner, you make decisions every day that ultimately affect your bottom line. In an economic climate where cost efficiency can make or break a business, it is important to understand the needs and options that will maximize the functionality of your SOHO.
In terms of setting up your network, there are numerous configurations available. Some may or may not be suitable for your specific needs. Knowing what they are, and what your needs are, as well as what your SOHO's future needs might be, gives you the edge you need in making informed choices.
The use of hubs has rapidly grown in recent years, as it is a popular, relatively inexpensive device to use in a simple network set-up.
Simply stated, a hub is a common connection point for a number of devices in a network. To determine if a hub is your best option, as opposed to an alternate networking device, you need to understand how one works.
Traditional hubs do not read any of the data passing through them. They have no awareness of the source of the incoming information, nor it's destination. The basic function of the hub is to simply pass on the receiving information to all devices that are connected to it. This includes the sender of the data, if the sender is a member of that network.
Hubs operate through a shared medium technology: Picture a telephone conference call- everyone on the call can hear everything being said. The same applies to most hubs.
A hub appears as a small box, rectangular, usually constructed out of plastic. Once connected, the hub joins multiple devices, such as computers, and printers, allowing them to communicate with each other. This separate "joining" of devices establishes what is known as a single network segment.
The physical differences between hubs are usually a reflection of the number of ports it contains. Each port acts like an extension cord- it allows for a cable to be connected that in turn is attached to a separate device. Hubs can contain anywhere from four to twenty-four ports.
Passive: A passive hub, sometimes referred to as a concentrator, is easy to remember because it does nothing to alter the incoming electrical signal, (also known as a "packet") as it passes through it on it's way to the network. Because it is not powered and does not repeat signals, the devices attached to the passive hub are limited in the distance they can be from the hub by the cable they are connected
Active: An active hub, also referred to as a "multiport repeater", does affect the electrical signal through amplification of the packet before broadcasting it to the rest of the network. The active hub repeats that signal. This in turn extends the length of distance attached devices can be from the hub.
An intelligent hub, or "switching hub" is a good choice for businesses, particularly if you are anticipating future growth in your network needs. The ability to stack this hub (which conserves space) and it's remote management support via SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and virtual LAN or VLAN support demonstrate it's "intelligence". A switching hub is also able to discern an address, thus delivering it's packet to the specified port. Most also support load balancing, by identifying the unique address of the machine's network card.
Intelligent hubs dynamically reassign ports to different LAN segments, based on the traffic pattern, and therefore aid in the goal to prevent the network from being overloaded.
Hub manufacturers, aware of certain shortcomings, which make their product somewhat less than attractive in comparison to similar market alternatives, are continually upgrading to improve product functions. Consequently, hubs and switches (an alternative to hubs) have become increasingly alike.
In order for your computers to communicate with each other, you have to decide the way in which they will do so. Here are some commonly used networking technologies to choose from, for SOHO applications:
Ethernet: is based on its data transfer rate of 10 Mbps (Megabits per second). The label of 10BASE-T identifies Ethernet ports. Ethernet is well known and supported. Ethernet connections include an Ethernet adapter and coaxial cable or twisted pair cable to connect each computer to a hub. Bear in mind, that while such Ethernet adapters are fairly inexpensive, the cost, as well as the complexity, should factor in to your decision. A Full Featured Ethernet Hub can be purchased, that is specifically built for SOHO work groups. These hubs have eight to ten base connectors, and one port with a crossover cap. The cap allows for easy uplinking to another hub and comes with it's own external power adapter. There are no placement restrictions, and its power usage is low.
Fast Ethernet: is based on the "regular" Ethernet standard, which is defined by its data transfer rate speed. Fast Ethernet is ten times faster than Ethernet. Fast Ethernet supports data transfer rates of 100 Mbps and requires network Cards and hubs that conform to the 100BASE-T configuration. Replacing 10BASE-T (regular Ethernet) cards and hubs can be an economical option with significant performance enhancement benefits. It is a viable alternative to replacing unmanaged hubs because Fast Ethernet has the ability to recognize both Fast and regular Ethernet data. Fast Ethernet cabling schemes are similar to those for regular Ethernet, but also make use of fiber optic cable. Fast Ethernet's official 100BASE-T standard is IEEE 802.3u.
Telephone line: The telephone line is convenient in terms of availability- of both the wiring and the addition of an adapter to connect via standard phone jacks. If you are using a shared dial-up connection, you will need to purchase a LAN (Local Area Network) modem. This device connects both the phone line and your Ethernet network. Some modems double as an Ethernet Hub with 100Bse T ports. The device then dials the Internet, and, once connected, all computers on the network go through this channel to access the Internet.
A good example of a dial-up hub is Apple's Airport. Using a telephone line input, it is configured to support a private network. Other computers on the network access the Internet as "members" of the specified private network and share the telephone line and Internet access (ISP). TCP/IP is configured to DHCP for this. Airport supports wireless connections from the network members.
DSL/Modem: Using DSL or cable requires the installation of two Ethernet network cards. It also presents a possible security issue, due to data vulnerability, and the addition of a Firewall is highly recommended. You can use an available combination router/firewall that comes with four to eight 10/100mb connections. This router/firewall is also a high speed Ethernet hub.
Another option available to Windows 98, 2000 users, and ME is the "Internet Sharing Gateway ". This free software is loaded onto one computer, putting that computer "in charge"; it then becomes the Server for the network. The others computers affiliated with the network change their TCP/IP settings to "auto" to reveal the proxy settings.
Know your users if your network is simply used for interoffice communicating with a known number of users that rarely, if ever changes, you might be able to get away with using a dial-up connection through your modem. Your hub should not be overloaded by this use.
However if your needs lie more in the area of downloading or sending large files, or your business use is for commerce, as with sales from a website, then you will need to move up to a DSL, or a LAN connection. Even with a load-balancing intelligent hub, you would not want to risk crashing your system or missing important communications. With that much demand on your network, security becomes a greater issue.
While connectivity options, such as DSL and cable modems have improved speed and bandwidth, traffic flow has increased exponentially. Whether this is due to the proliferation of data like Streaming Media, or just an increased use of network-based software, the infrastructure designs that worked a few years ago likely require alterations to keep pace.
When you assess your network's needs for today, and the near future, it is important to determine whether your hub will be able to maintain the demands that are (or will be) placed upon it. Preparing for these demands is the starting point to optimize the functionality of your network for the future.
Defining your infrastructure needs must include answering a number of questions, some of which are:
Failure to explore and learn the inherent needs and expectations of your network can be detrimental to you no matter what size your operation is.
While examining these details, keep in mind that a variety of individual devices and causes can impede the productivity potential of your network. If you are dissatisfied with the speed and/or consistency you are receiving it might be more cost effective to upgrade to better devices.
Speed of most hubs is affected by what the computers on the system are doing. For example: If two computers are transmitting 10Mbps of data at the same time, there is significant reduction in the rated time- sometimes by even as much as half! Under those conditions, the entire network operates significantly below the data capability.
Once you have determined your network needs, you have to work them into your available budget.
There are a number of factors involved, which will answer the question of hub suitability for use in your SOHO. The most important factor is your own involvement and knowledge of your network's expectations and needs.
Options that can be considered for change include:
It is highly likely that a hub will suit the network needs for your SOHO. They are extremely cost effective and can easily be added to. Nevertheless, before you buy anything, invest some time into learning all you can about your system needs.