What is a Home Network
Home Networks - they aren't as complex as you think they are. Setting up a home network will provide convenience for the entire family and allow you to share resources such as hard drives, printers and broadband Internet. We'll show you the basics of creating a home network so that you'll be up-to-date with the digital age.

The Basics of a Home Network
Within the past few years, computer prices have dropped and the desire to have more than one computer in the home has become a reality. Today, there are multiple computers in the home and the need for a home network has grown tremendously. If you've thought about installing a home network, maybe now is the time to do so. Prices for networking hardware are relatively inexpensive and home networks have become simple to set-up.

Wired Network
With every home network, there is a central point where all computers, peripherals and your broadband Internet connection meet. This central point is called your router or access point. The Router's job is to direct all data from your computers, printers, scanners, Internet connection and other devices to and from each computer. There are two different types of routers that are available.

What you must decide first is what type of home network will you install. The two types of home networks today are Wired and Wireless.

 

 

Before we talk about the networks, lets look at what devices allow you to have a home network.

Wired Network

With every home network, there is a central point where all computers, peripherals and your broadband Internet connection meet. This central point is called your router or access point. The Router's job is to direct all data from your computers, printers, scanners, Internet connection and other devices to and from each computer. There are two different types of routers that are available.

 

 

Wired routers require you to install Category 5 (Cat5) Ethernet cable throughout your home to connect each computer to the router. This installation may require you to create holes throughout walls in your home so that you can install the CAT5 cable and gain access to the router. Although this may be an inconvenience, this is the most secure way to create a home network. The above example router will allow you to connect up to 4 networkable devices such as computers, printers, external hard drives and a broadband Internet connection.

Ethernet Port / Adapter

Most computers purchased within the past five years are built with an Ethernet port. This is a major convenience when using a wired router. You simply connect the Ethernet cable into the router and computer's Ethernet port. Therefore allowing you to share files, printers and other resources like a broadband Internet connection.

Wireless Network

The alternative to a wired router is the wireless router or access point. A wireless router will allow you to connect several computers wirelessly using technology called 802.11 or Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi). There are several variations of this technology ranging from 802.11 a/b/g/n. Each variation provides a higher data transfer rate. Currently, the most popular variation is 802.11g and this format allows a 54Mbps transfer rate. The major advantage of using a wireless router is that you do not need to install any CAT 5 cable.

If you decide to use a wireless network, you will have to have a wireless network adapter installed into your desktop. Some laptops are configured with integrated wireless adapters and if your laptop doesn't have integrated wireless, you can purchase a wireless PCMCIA Ethernet card adapter as shown below.

Wireless home networks have become the most popular home networks to have. One reason for their popularity is that they are easy to set-up and require no physical alterations to your home. Once you have installed your hardware and software for your network, make sure you activate the firewall software. Some routers are configured with either a hardware or software firewall. The firewall is needed to protect your computers and Internet access from hackers. Once we have your hardware installed, configured and protected, you can begin using your new home network with the confidence that it's secure and ready to provide hours of use.

Did you know that over 80% of all wireless networks are completely UNSECURED! Why? Because manufactures like Linksys (Cisco), Dlink and other wireless manufactures do not secure there wireless routers out of the box. Pretty scary huh? Well it gets worse! Did you also know that it only takes a matter of a few mouse clicks and the 13 year old kid from down the street. If your network is unsecured most likely this 13 year old kid has already been on YOUR COMPUTER browsing through your personal computer files like family photos, your financial data and in some cases Credit Card numbers. Intruders can piggyback off your internet connection and eating all your internet bandwidth. He may even use your computer to download illegal files. Who will they come looking for if this is happening? That’s correct you! The intruder has nothing to worry about because all the evidence points back to your computers internet ip address.

Is your wireless network secure? Let’s answer this question with another question. Do you know what WEP or WPA2 means? If you do not know what these 2 terms mean there is a very good chance you are 1 of the 80% that has an unsecured wireless network. WEP and WPA are wireless security mechanisms built into all wireless routers and wireless cards that encrypt the traffic that passes back and forth from your wireless laptop, printer, pda, or other device to the wireless router.

 

Call Tech Guy Solutions and we will come and evaluate your wireless network and educate you on what you need to do to secure your wireless network. We service and install all makes and models of Wireless devices including Linksys (Cisco), Dlink, TrendNet, 3COM and many more.