Living
with a
Small
Office Home Office Network (SOHO)
2006
Edition
Tom Schmidt
Schmidt Consulting
2 March 2006
Abstract
This paper discusses our experience setting up and using
a small office home office (SOHO) network over a number of years. It offers
guidance on selecting a high-speed Internet Service Provider (ISP), presents
Local Area Network (LAN) options, describes Internet sharing methods, and
discusses typical network services.
Internet access is via 1500/384 Digital Subscriber Line
(DSL), provided by the local Telephone Company. A NAT router allows multiple
computers to share the connection. The router automatically falls back to
dialup if DSL fails. The LAN uses Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) providing high-speed
internal communication for file sharing. LAN services include: file backup, network printing, NNTP
timeserver, DNS server, Syslog log file server and local web server. IPsec
Virtual Private Network (VPN) client provides secure access to the corporate
network. This allows access to corporate resources while telecommuting or on
the road.
A local hosting service hosts our business web server and
e-mail. Use of a Hosting service moves web site traffic off the broadband
connection. It also significantly eases the task of securing the local network.
Table of
Contents
2 Internet – Much More Than World Wide Web
2.4.3 Class vs Classless Inter-Domain
Routing (CIDR)
2.4.9 Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
2.5.1 Domain Name Service (DNS)
3 Wiring Techniques – Cables and Connectors
3.3.1 Telco Uniform Service Ordering
Code (USOC) Pinout
3.3.2 TIA T568A and T568B Structured
Wiring Pin out
4 Local Area Network (LAN) – Ethernet for Everyone
4.2.1 10 – 100 – 1,000 – 10,000 Mbps
4.2.2 Media Access Controller (MAC)
Address
4.2.4 Managed vs Unmanaged Hubs and
Switches
4.2.7 Quality of Service (QoS)
4.3 WiFi Ethernet Radio (WLAN)
5 Telephone – Not Just for Voice Anymore
5.1 Telco Network Interface Device (NID)
5.2 Secondary Lightning Protection
6 Broadband Router – One Connection So Many Computers