Use and design of small computer networks

This paper deals with small computer local area networks. It introduces basic information used to understand mentioned facts and attempts to point out uncommon possibilities of its usage. First, evolution of computer networks is described along with networking basics. Subsequently paper advices how to choose and how to wire twisted pair cable and contains method of sharing cable both for phone and Ethernet signal. Next chapter is about network discovery, performed on Windows and designated applications, specifically Overlook Fing and Nmap. Difference between managed and unmanaged switches, from technological and operational point of view, is being discussed. Goal of chapter about internet connection sharing is an address and port translation configuration on networking devices for small networks and Cisco routers, as well as configuration of application proxy server. Aim of accessing inner network resources from outer network is solved by port forwarding, tested on Apache and Filezilla applications. Virtual network is represented by virtual local area network and virtual private network in last chapter. Configuration of virtual local area network on Cisco devices and its description can be found here. Further it is possible to read basic information about virtual private networks and their configuration, represented by Windows VPN and OpenVPN.