The Thin Coax Cable Network Shopping List
Made the decision to install a network using Thin Coax cable? Then here's a list of all the stuff you need to buy at the computer store.
1. One Thin Coax-supporting Ethernet card for each computer on your network.
2. One T-Connector for each computer on the network.
3. Two Terminator plugs.
4. One length of cable for each PC-to-PC connection. To connect four computers on a desktop, for example, you need three six-foot lengths of cable.
Confused as to how much cable to buy? See my article 'Deciding on the LAN Cable'. If you want to link four computers, you will need three pieces of cable. And, three computers will need two pieces of cable.
Tips:
1. Six-foot and 12-foot lengths of cable usually do the trick. Buy a few extra lengths of cable to keep on hand in case you add a computer or two later.
2. Buy a few extra T-Connectors, too. You need one of those for every extra computer you want to pop onto your network.
3. If you plan to add a laptop, make sure that you buy a Combo or Thin-Coax-supporting network PC Card. This lets you connect to computers using either type of networking system.
The 10BaseT (UTP) Cable Network Shopping List
Going to install a network using the 10BaseT or UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cable? Then here's a list of everything you need to pick up at the computer store:
1. One 10BaseT-supporting Ethernet 'Plug & Play' card for each computer on the network.
2. One hub that has enough ports for each computer -- plus some extra ports for a few computers you may want to add at a later time.
3. A 10BaseT cable for each computer, and make sure that it's long enough to reach from the computer to the hub.
TIPS:
1. The 10BaseT type of cable looks like telephone line.
2. Plug and Play cards are easiest to install.
3. Both types of LANs (Thin Coax Ethernet and 10BaseT) usually has same type of card "Ethernet Card".
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