-------------------------------------------
|needed for Internet and Internet security| needed for speed
|  |--------------|   |----------------|  | |-------------|
|  |modem:        |   |firewall-switch-|  | |Gigabit      |---computer 1
|  |DSL or        |   |NAT-router.     |  | |10/100       |---computer 2
|  |cable or      |---| 10/100BaseT    |----| /1000BaseT  |     -
|  |satellite.    |   | 10 in          |  | |switch       |     -
|  |10BaseT out   |   | 10/100 out     |  | |             |---computer Last
|  |--------------|   |----------------|  | |             |---printer 1
|                                         | |             |---printer 2
|                                         | |             |     -
|                                         | |             |---printer Last
------------------------------------------- |-------------|

Note: Most new, medium-level and up SOHO and workstation boxes come with Gigabit ethernet. But most NAT firewall routers are only 100BaseT - only 10% as fast Gigabit which is why we show the Gigabit switch.

The network above, while simple, should be adequate for a small office with eight or fewer PCs. It has three basic parts: Internet (into the modem), firewall (sits between the modem and the rest of the network), and the switch which interconnects all of the PCs on the internal network.