There are a growing number of homes these days which have met the demand for multiple computers under one roof. The need for a fast, economical, and convenient means of data transfer between those computers - whether they be a home PC or a traveling laptop - is becoming paramount. Time tested methods as the 1.4MB floppy will always be useful. However as common files balloon in size, the 1.44" disk is quickly becoming inadequate for anything more then a word document or two.

If we consider a typical home with two computers, and forgo the list of expensive media drives (Zip, Jazz, SuperDisk, etc...) as a solution, a home-based Ethernet can quickly show itself to be one of the most convenient ways to move data around.

Ethernet's used to be the domain of businesses only, but have gradually moved their way into the range of the average consumer, and are now not uncommon. The cost of setting up an Ethernet is fairly reasonable when it is compared with the alternative - installing a new media drive in two separate computers. In its most basic state, an Ethernet can consist of two computers, two Network Interface Cards, and a length ofEthernet cable (Category5). In more complicated schemes - involving three, five or many more computers, things can become a bit more tricky. 'Tricky' Ethernets need a hub of some type to keep everything tied together. Hubs are devices which act as a central connection point for the wires and the data flow.

For this article we are only going be focusing on physically installing the network of cables necessary for a hub-based Ethernet. This point hasn't been dealt with as much as the configuration side of things. That said, installing wire in a house imparts special precautions and attention to the surroundings.

Disclaimers: What is outlined below is what we did to install our Ethernet. It is meant only to be an example of one possible method. If you are not comfortable with power tools, not knowledgeable about electrical wiring, and not 100% sure about what to do please do not attempt this.