Hiya Bruce,
On 11-10-97, whilst lying in the gutter of the information super highway, I 
heard Bruce LeGrande whispering to All about Home Network,
 BL> (sounds a bit like a SCSI chain :)
A very good likeness.
 BL>    And since I didn't see ANY 10base-2 "HUBS" advertised in the cats I
You can get them but if you've got that many segments then you should be 
looking for a manageable UTP solution. =o)
 BL> have, am I correct that I will NOT need a 'hub', but will simply
 BL> connect each computer to the next (in parallel) with the RG-Cable ?
Just like SCSI.
 BL> (if there IS a long run later, I presume that a repeater can be used)
Yes.
 BL>    Also from what I've understood, all I need to do (basically) is to
 BL> assign one computer as "server" and the rest as clients, each with a
 BL> different 'user/host' name, correct ?
Not necessarily. I run a multiple peer network here. (Currently 3 machines, 1 
OS/2, 1 95 and one Dual boot OS/2 95) All are set up using TCP/IP and Netbios 
over TCP/IP. All talk to each other equally. The BBS machine tends to act as 
a server 'cos it's got the most drive space free and it's on all the time but 
the dual boot machine has the printer attached and I can print from either 
machine upstairs to it.
 BL> On the OTHER hand, if I were to use 10base-T (RJ45) then I would be
 BL> limited to only *2* machines, due to the fact that the RJ45 can not
 BL> be connected in parallel (like the 2 conductor RG58), and for more
 BL> that *2* machines - I would HAVE to run each one to a "HUB" (like the
 BL> spokes on a wheel) which handles the addressing and routing from/to
 BL> each machine (user).
OK up to "handles....". All the hub does is remove the fact that a single 
cable break kills the entire network with Co-Ax. Addressing etc. is a 
different layer of the OSI model.
 BL> Does that just about sum it up correctly ???
Almost.
 BL> And finally, is there going to be a device to allow me to attach my
 BL> centronics inkjet printer to this LAN with a unique username/number ?
 BL> Or should I just attach it to the main server parallel port and send
 BL> everything I want printed to the LPT1 port of that machine ??
There are several manufacturers of Ethernet printer drivers. One to avoid in 
a busy environment from personal experience is Castell. HP make free-standing 
Jet-Direct boxes.
All of the above are flippin' expensive for a small home lan. You're probably 
better off getting an old 386 or 486 and using that.
  /| /        neil.croft@pillarbox.coracle.com
 / |/eil =o)        2:250/410 @ fidonet
  http://osiris.sunderland.ac.uk/~ca5cru/fido/pbox.html
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