Home Networks

The technology needed to set up а home network is here today. It is just а matter of connecting а number of PCs equipped with Ethernet adapters to а hub using twisted-pair cabling which uses sockets rather like phone sockets. Special isolation adapters can be fitted to allow existing mains lines to be used instead of twisted-pair cabling. Most future home networks, however, are likely to be wireless network systems, using tuned transmitter and receiver devices.

The simplest networks allow basic file-sharing and multiplayer gaming as well as sharing of peripherals such as printers. Most advanced home networks are likely to have аclient/server structure, with low-cost terminals, or `thin' clients, connected to а central server which maintains the system's storage capacity and, depending on whether the terminals are dumb or processor -equipped network computers, its processing power.

То make the most of suchа network, it must become part of an integrated home entertainment and control system. То the user, the desktop becomes just one of many features accessible throughout the house. Tired of working in the study? Pop down to the living room and reload it into the terminal there. Before you start work, call up the hi-fi control program and have the music of your choice pumped through the living room speakers. Computer and entertainment networks can be separate but linked by the server to allow control of the latter from the terminals.

Future home networks are more likely to have the entire system based on а single loop.