Home networks vary from a single unmanaged device providing local Wi-Fi to complex managed networks with multiple virtual networks. Figure 11-2 illustrates a moderately complex home network for discussion.
Figure 11-2 Home Network Example
A lot is happening in Figure 11-2; the following sections consider parts of the network not considered in previous chapters.
Network Core
The “core” of a home network consists of four devices: the MODEM, the firewall, the router, and the access points. Figure 11-3 shows different ways of combining these devices.
Figure 11-3 Home Network Core Device Combinations
Figure 11-3 shows four of the most common equipment combinations:
• A shows the MODulator/DEModulator (MODEM), firewall, and router combined into a single device. At the same time, the switch and AP are separate devices wired into the combined MODEM/firewall/router.
• B shows the MODEM as an individual device connected (typically via Ethernet) to a combined firewall/router/switch.
One of the switch ports is then used to connect to an AP. Using a separate MODEM is a typical configuration for users with Wi-Fi mesh systems.
• C shows a separate MODEM connected to a single device containing the firewall, router, switch, and AP functions. Users with simple networking requirements or who do not have a lot of experience working with networking devices will often use this kind of configuration.
• D shows all the functions combined in a single device. Using a single device is a typical configuration for provider-provided networking hardware.
Each of these four configurations will be useful for different use cases and different kinds of users.