Home Network Questions (1 Viewer)

[reggie7]

I've got this little diagram of a simple yet outdated home network from school today and I'm trying to get my head around the limitations of each device on the network. I'll try and explain the network as best as I can.

So the family has 5 computers (nodes) in their home network. The father's, the mother's and the 2 children each have a computer connected to a 5 port, 100 mb/s Switch. Now they have a 56k Modem (Dialup) BUT it is only connected to the father's computer and does not have a direct connection to the switch. Does this mean that the 3 other nodes in the network do not have access to the internet?

Other than the 4 computers connected to 4 ports on the Switch there is also a Laser Printer connected. The family have a laptop which isn't connected to the switch at all. Does this mean the laptop cannot communicate with the other nodes?

And also does the 56K Modem have to be wired to the telephone line to gain internet access?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sunny]

If the father's computer is configured to be a gateway then the other computers can access the internet via the 56k modem. But if you're talking about a plain textbook scenario then no they other 3 nodes won't have access.

If the laptop isn't connected to anything then it can't communicate with any other computer now can it?

A dial up modem uses phone lines.

 

[greekgun]

Hey bud, not sure if im right but i rekon i might be a little help.

Does this mean that the 3 other nodes in the network do not have access to the internet?
I think the 3 other nodes cannot access the modem, but if the modem were connected to a switch then yes they can all get access to it.

Does this mean the laptop cannot communicate with the other nodes?
The laptop can communicate to the other nodes if the laptop had wireless features and if the switch could pick up wireless signals, if any of the other computers had wireless features, or if it were physically connected to the switch. Otherwise, no it cant communicate to the other nodes. And also does the 56K Modem have to be wired to the telephone line to gain internet access?
Yes

I think my answers are correct but im not too sure, its been a good while since ive even thought about networking.

 

[reggie7]

Thanks sunny and greekgun.

I think two concordant replies is enough to convince me.

If anyone else has a different view over this then please reply

Also going to ask another question in Emerging tech. section.