| Network devices | | | | Network devices may also be configured from a |
| An example of a simple home network | | | | computer. For example, broadband modems are |
| A home network may consist of the following | | | | often configured through a web client on a |
| components: | | | | networked PC. As networking technology evolves, |
| A broadband modem for connection to the | | | | more electronic devices and home appliances are |
| internet (either a DSL modem using the phone | | | | becoming Internet ready and accessible through |
| line, or cable modem using the cable internet | | | | the home network. Set-top boxes from cable TV |
| connection). | | | | providers already have USB and Ethernet ports |
| A residential gateway (sometimes called a router) | | | | "for future use". |
| connected between the broadband modem and | | | | Network media |
| the rest of the network. This enables multiple | | | | Ethernet cables are the standard medium for |
| devices to connect to the internet simultaneously. | | | | networks. However, homes are often more |
| Residential gateways, hubs/switches, DSL | | | | difficult to wire than office environments, and |
| modems, and wireless access points are often | | | | other technologies are being developed which |
| combined. | | | | don't require new wires. |
| A PC, or multiple PCs including laptops | | | | Home networking may use |
| A wireless access point, usually implemented as a | | | | Ethernet Category 5 cable, Category 6 cable - for |
| feature rather than a separate box, for | | | | speeds of 10 Mbit/s, 100 Mbit/s, or 1 Gbit/s. |
| connecting wireless devices | | | | Wi-Fi Wireless LAN connections - for speeds up to |
| Entertainment peripherals - an increasing number | | | | 248 Mbit/s, dependent on signal strength and |
| of devices can be connected to the home | | | | wireless standard. |
| network, including DVRs like TiVo, digital audio | | | | Coaxial cables (TV antennas) - for speeds of 270 |
| players, games machines, stereo system, and IP | | | | Mbit/s (see Multimedia over Coax Alliance or 320 |
| set-top box. | | | | Mbit/s see HomePNA) |
| Internet Phones (VoIP) | | | | Electrical wiring - for speeds of 14 Mbit/s to 200 |
| A network bridge connects two networks | | | | Mbit/s (see Power line communication) |
| together, often giving a wired device, e.g. Xbox, | | | | Phone wiring - for speeds of 160 Mbit/s (see |
| access to a wireless network. | | | | HomePNA) |
| A network hub/switch - a central networking hub | | | | Fiber optics - although rare, new homes are |
| containing a number of Ethernet ports for | | | | beginning to include fiber optics for future use. |
| connecting multiple networked devices | | | | Optical networks generally use Ethernet. |
| A network attached storage (NAS) device can be | | | | All home wiring (coax, powerline and phone wires) |
| used for storage on the network. | | | | - future standard for speeds up to 1 Gbit/s being |
| A print server can be used to share printers | | | | developed by the ITU-T (see G.hn) |
| among computers on the network. | | | | Ethernet and Wireless are the most common |
| Older devices may not have the appropriate | | | | standards. As the demand for home networks |
| connector to the network. USB and PCI network | | | | has increased, the other alliances have formed to |
| controllers can be installed in some devices to | | | | produce standards for networking alternatives. |
| allow them to connect to networks. | | | | |