INTRODUCTION

In the previous chapter, you learned about the different concepts used in networks. In this chapter, we will look at PANs and HANs, and how they are created, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the different network devices required to create a network.

UNIT
10.1   PAN/HAN

There are different types of networks. For ease of reference, we have arranged them in the following list, according to their size – i.e. from the smallest to the largest network.

1. Personal area network (PAN) and home area network (HAN) as the names state, are both used in small areas, such as home or small office environments.

2. Local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) are used in bigger offices and in schools.

3. Wide area network (WAN) connects more than one LAN in different places, for example, cities or buildings, into one big network.

Figure 10.1 shows the different types of networks.

Networks can be categorised according to their size and distance covered. As you can see, the WAN is the largest network with the internet being the most popular WAN.

Although all these networks may sound the same, they are quite different. In Grade 10, you will focus on the difference between a HAN and a PAN.

WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS

Before looking at HANs and PANs, you first need to understand the difference between a wired and a wireless network.

A wired network is a common type of network and uses ethernet cables, or fibre-optic cables to transfer data between computers that are connected to the network.

Wireless networks allow many devices to connect to the same internet connection, as well as to share files and other resources. It refers to a network where the devices are connected via radio- or microwaves, and not through physical cables.

HANS AND PANS

HAN

As the name suggests, a HAN is a very small network that usually covers a single home. Any device that is connected to this network will be able to share resources, for example the internet, smart appliances, printers, smart meters and even some security systems.

It allows the computers on the HAN to communicate with each other directly and to transfer files between the computers, send messages, or even play LAN games. HANs can be both wired or wireless networks.

PAN

A PAN is like a HAN, but even smaller! It refers to a network built for a single person and contains all the devices connected to this network. This can include all devices connected on most networks, for example a computer, smartphone and printer. It can also include personal devices, such as Bluetooth keyboards, Bluetooth earphones and smartwatches. Unlike LANs and HANs, all devices on a PAN do not have to be connected using an IP address. Some devices can be connected over a Wi-Fi network, while others might connect using Bluetooth, or even USB.

For example, when the iBooks application on the computer knows which page you last read, it is because of the PAN. Those devices are connected and “talk” to each other; they are basically synced to each other. Another example is the fact that your smartwatch can tell you of any messages, emails or incoming calls while your phone is charging.

The goal of a personal network is to make the user’s life easier by allowing individual devices to communicate directly with each other.

PAN VERSUS HAN

As can be seen in the following table, both networks have various advantages and disadvantages.

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PAN

The following table shows the different advantages and disadvantages of a PAN.

Table 10.1: Advantages and disadvantages of PAN

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HAN

The following table shows the different advantages and disadvantages of a HAN.

Table 10.2: Advantages and disadvantages of HAN

UNIT
10.2   Creating a PAN/HAN

In the past, home networks were not so popular. Most families did not need, or could not afford more than one computer. Today, this is not the case; people use their computers for school work, shopping, downloading videos and music, watching movies, instant messaging and so on.

So, having one computer in a household is not enough anymore and multiple computers or computing devices are becoming more of a necessity than a luxury.

REQUIREMENTS

There are several options to look at when creating a network in your household. This section will look at what to keep in mind when creating home networks and what types of hardware are needed to create and protect your home network.

INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE

Any computer that is connected to the internet is part of a network. This can be from the 100 computers connected in an office, to just the one in your home. For example, at home you can connect to the internet using a modem. The modem dials a local number that connects to an internet service provider (ISP). The ISP is the term used for a company that provides you with access to the internet; this could be from your computer or even your smartphone.

The ISP makes the internet a reality. Suppose you have a brand-new computer with a builtin modem and a router to connect to the network. However, without an ISP subscription, you will not be able to connect to the internet.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR A HAN

HANs can be both wired or wireless networks. In a typical HAN setup, a router is used as the central point of the network. This router allocates IP addresses and provides internet connectivity to all devices on the network. Any device in the household can then connect to the router, by either connecting to its Wi-Fi network, or by connecting to it with an ethernet cable. Once connected, the devices automatically have access to the internet and network resources.

NETWORK DEVICES

In most cases, a wired or wireless home network requires only the computing devices, modem and router. Obviously, this depends on your requirements; the more complex you want the network to be, the more money you will be spending on the equipment required. In this section, we will discuss the different network equipment required to create a home network.

A network adapter, also known as a network interface controller (NIC), is a piece of hardware that can be added to a computer, allowing it to connect to a network. These days, most computers and laptops have a network adapter built into the motherboards, which makes setting up to the internet much easier.

There are three important types of networking equipment that can look very similar from the outside – i.e. the modem, router and switch. These devices can have ports for different types of cables, such as ethernet cables or digital subscriber line (DSL) cables. However, each has their own different function, as shown in the following table:

Table 10.3: The different network equipment

Today, home routers cost roughly the same as home switches and modems. Therefore, for most setups, it is easier to simply purchase a router that can serve more than one function. However, for larger businesses, specialised equipment, such as dedicated modems and switches, may be better suited to the job.

CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET

To connect to the internet, there are software and hardware requirements that must first be fulfilled. This section will look at those requirements and soon you will be able to create your very own home network with internet!

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

The software you need to connect to the internet is an operating system, a web browser. A web browser, such as Firefox or Google Chrome, is used to display pages that you visit on the internet. Web browsers often come with their own operating systems.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Connecting to the internet is quite simple. You will need the following hardware equipment to connect to the internet:

• A computing device, such as a computer or a smartphone
• A communication channel, such as a telephone line and ethernet cable
• A modem or router to connect to the internet

Setting up a wireless router is quite simple. If you have purchased your router from an ISP, you will probably have an internet plan with them, and your router will come with all the things you need to connect to the internet, as well as a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

1. Insert the SIM card into the SIM slot of the Wi-Fi router.

2. Connect the router to the power supply. With some routers you might have to screw the two external antennae to the router.

3. Take note of the information that is on the label at the back of the router.

4. Plug the LAN cable into a port of the router and the other end of the cable into the LAN port of your computer.

5. Switch on the router by pressing the Power button.

6. Switch on your computer.

7. The power light will be on and will turn a specific colour. This means you are ready to install the software.

8. Follow the prompts on your computer.

9. The Wi-Fi light will be a specific colour to show that the Wi-Fi is enabled.

10. The strength bar on the router will show how strong the signal is.

After you have set up your Wi-Fi network and configured your router, you are ready to connect to the Wi-Fi. This procedure may differ, depending on the router and computing device.

To connect to the Wi-Fi network, you can do the following:

1. Click on your computer’s network settings and search for nearby Wi-Fi networks.

2. Choose your network and enter the password you just created.

3. If the connection is successful, open your web browser and type in www.google.com. If the page loads, your Wi-Fi connection is working properly.

AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER

Use the checklist to make sure that you worked through the following and that you understand it.