Family members can also easily share files between computers on the network. The biggest difference between a home network and a traditional business network is the complexity of the products required to make it happen. Hardware and software components have been developed to create home networking features that are easy for consumers to understand and use. You can set up your home network using the existing in-home phone wiring in your house or by using a Category 5 Ethernet cable and hub. Multiple computers can share one printer, modem, scanner, etc.
Networked computers can share files and applications.
A home phoneline network uses your existing in-home phone wiring to connect your computers. An Ethernet network uses standard Category 5 cable and Ethernet hub to connect your computers. You will need your own Category 5 cable and Ethernet hub for a CAT5 setup. Home networking is a key technology that dramatically increases the usefulness of consumers' home PC's. Current estimates hold that there are currently about 15 million homes with multiple PCs.