Wireless Home Networking

 
Wireless Home Networking
Figure 2.3 illustrates the typical networking connections found in many residences. The
residence is connected to the PSTN for telephone services, the Internet for Web access and a cable network for TV services. Within the home, computers and printers are
connected to the Internet through voiceband modems, xDSL services, or cable modems.
The telephone services and security systems are connected through PSTN wiring. The
TV is connected to multichannel services through hybrid fibercoax (HFC) cables or
satellite dishes. The audio and video entertainment equipment, such as videocameras
and stereo systems, and other computing systems, such as laptops, are either isolated
or have proprietary wired connections. This fragmented networking environment has
prompted a number of recent initiatives to create a unified home network. The home
networking industry started within the last few years with the design of home or
residential gateways for connecting the increasing number of information appliances
through a single Internet connection to the home.
Many observers project rapid growth for the home networking market. The number
of home networks in United States is expected to nearly double each year for the foreseeable
future. As shown in Figure 2.4, this industry has two distinct segments, home
access and home distribution. Home access technology employs different wireless and
wired alternatives to secure broadband Internet access to the home gateway, that access
to be extended to the user’s information appliances. Home distribution technology or
the home area network (HAN) interconnects all home appliances and connects them
to the Internet through the home gateway.