SOHO Networking

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SOHO Networking

• Caskey L. Dickson
• LA-ACM
• April, 2006

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Overview

• What are they?
• Why have them?
• How do you make them?
• Who makes the technology?

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What are they?

• SOHO - Small Office Home Office
• Myriad of connected/smart devices

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SOHO

• Few users
• Few devices
• Light loads
• Ease of use vs. security
• Unmanaged

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Smart Devices

• Computers
• Printers
• HTPCs/Home Theater PCs
• Video game consoles
• XBox
• PS2
• Appliances
• Whirlpool LG
• Internet Fridge, Oven, Washing Machine, Air
  Conditioner
• Home Automation
• Cars

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Why have them?

• Connectivity
• Economy
• Ease of use
• Luxury

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Connectivity

• Work anywhere
• Facilitate communication
• Share/transfer data

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Economy

• Energy savings
• Smart air conditioners
• Smart lighting
• Fuel savings
• Fewer commutes
• Less errands
• Money savings
• Better home economics
• Security/monitoring

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Ease of Use

• Smart kitchen, integrated appliances
• Configurability
• Calling the hot tub

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Luxury

• Shallow prestige
• Cool technology
• and so on.

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Technologies

• Networking
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g
• Ethernet
• X10
• Power-networks
• Connectivity
• Modems/Dialup
• aDSL/sDSL
• Cable Modem
• Satellite

• Equipment
• Linksys
• Cisco
• Apple
• D-Link
• Belkin
• Providers
• Telcos
• ISPs
• TV Companies

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Networking 101

• Networking is easy
• Five basic concepts
• Networks
• Hosts
• Routers
• Bridges
• Inter-networks -- The Internet

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Network

• Collection of hosts
• Direct communication
• Examples
• Local Area Networks (Ethernet, WiFi, Token-Ring)
• USB The Universal Serial Bus
• Firewire/IEEE1384

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Host

• Device on a network
• Unique address
• Capable of sending and/or receiving data
• Examples
• Workstations/Computers
• Printers
• NAS/Network Attached Storage
• Sensors
• Routers

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Router

• Host
• Connected to multiple networks
• Selectively forwards data
• Examples
• Routers
• WiFi Access Points
• NAT Boxes

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Bridge

• Device on two network
• Not always a host
• Indiscriminately forwards data
• Effectively creates a larger virtual network
• Examples
• WiFi Access Points

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Inter-network

• Multiple networks
• Connected via routers
• Inherently distributed
• internet

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The Internet

• Worldwide network of networks
• Single standard protocol
• The Internet Protocol
• IPv4
• IPv6

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Connecting the pieces

• Three basic ways
• Remote Node
• Routed Local Network
• Multiple Local Networks

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1 Remote Node Networks

• Most basic connectivity
• Modem connects a single host to a bigger network
• Host is a distant, slow member of the larger
  network

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2 Routed Local Network

• System with router becomes a router
• Local hosts use the router to communicate
  externally
• ...an inter-network

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3 Multiple Local Networks

• More than one network
• Router belongs to three networks
• Often wired and wireless

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Building a SOHO LAN

• Connectivity
• Hosts
• Networks
• Routers

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Connectivity

• Dial Up
• DSL
• Cable Modem
• Satellite
• Leased Line

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Dial Up

• Lowest cost
• Slow
• High Latency
• Best for Type 1
• Often subsidized

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DSL

• Moderate cost
• Typical 50
• Maximum 300
• Minimum 30
• High Speed
• Low 128Kbps
• High 6Mbps
• Low Latency about 10ms
• Distance 6000M limit
• Asymmetric
• Many pricing options
• Regulatory issues

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Cable Modem

• Moderate Cost
• Similar to DSL
• Bundling of services
• High Speed
• Low about 2Mbps
• High 10Mbps
• Shared medium
• Limited choice
• Very restrictive service agreements

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Satellite

• Few geographic restrictions
• Dual and single mode
• VERY expensive
• Variable data rates
• High latency

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Leased Line

• Expensive
• High quality
• Many options
• Service level agreements
• Guaranteed bandwidth
• Probably beyond SOHOs needs
• Borderline Enterprise

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Hosts

• What are you connecting?
• Where are they located?
• What are their needs?

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What?

• Computers/Workstations
• Laptops
• HTPCs

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Where?

• Point of Entry
• Wired issues
• Long cable runs
• Access to wiring
• Wireless issues
• Distance and obstacles

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Networks

• Wired?
• Wireless?
• Both?
• Security!

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Wired

• 100M cable run limits
• Avoid coils
• Purchased cables
• Never quite right
• Standard lengths
• Reliable
• Home-made
• Always right fit
• Need to test
• Dexterity requirement

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Wireless

• Standards
• 802.11b 11Mbps
• 802.11g 54Mbps
• Vendor extensions
• MIMO
• X-speed
• etc.

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Security

• Defense in-depth
• Anti Virus
• Firewalls
• Network Security
• Updates

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Anti-Virus

• Any vendor will do
• Subscription based
• Keep it updated

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Firewalls

• Software
• Run on the hosts
• Wont protect other hosts
• Can operate on routers
• Hardware
• Custom devices
• Built into routers (sometimes)
• NAT is not Firewalling

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Network Security

• Wired networks-automatic
• Wireless
• WEP (poor choice)
• WPA (better, not perfect)
• Standards!

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Updates

• Update
• Update
• Update

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Routers

• All in one devices
• Wired
• Wireless
• Modem
• Router
• Firewall
• Nat

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Fool Proof

• Single Vendor
• Vendor Guides
• Expensive
• Single-Source

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Fin.

• Thank You