How To Set Up Your Home Network
Harley Dixon A broadband connection is very much the norm in most houses as many people rely on the customer on-premises equipment that their internet service provides delivers for connectivity to the internet. For most homes, this set-up was adequate for setting up a home network.
However the COVID-19 pandemic changed internet dynamics. Now, more people are working from home and students study online from home. Swiftly, the mediocre capabilities of the ISP’s CPE required enhancing, and more users realised that they needed to bolster their home networks so that they could work from home as well as optimise distance learning for their kids.
Expanding networks with more devices, particularly smart home or automation devices, has also become common these days. Years ago, a family might have shared a single computer, however today, each family member could have multiple devices. All these extra computers, tablets and phones will rely on the home network for connectivity.
Choosing A Wired Or Wireless Network
Early (pre 2008) home networks were mainly wired networks. Wired networks utilise Ethernet over UTP cable and tend to be quicker than wireless networks, which is a very important consideration if you are a gamer.
Wired Network Advantages:
- Fast usually 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps
- Secure and dependable.
Wired Network Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t work with devices which don’t have an Ethernet port for example tablets and smartphones.
- Not so easy and fast to set up as it requires running cables. However Homeplug or powerline adapters can be utilised instead.
- Not so simple for visitors and mobile devices (laptops) to connect to.
Assembling The Parts
Routers
Put your router in a central location in your home. Generally speaking, the closer your device is to your router the stronger your Wi-Fi signal and the better for work and playing at Canadian gambling sites.
For wired networks, make sure that you plug a switch or Ethernet hub into your electrical socket with a high quality ethernet cable. Switches often let you wire in up to eight devices utilising ethernet cables, making the assumption that the devices have ethernet ports.
Log into the routers online set-up page in order to configure important security settings. (Instructions are found with, or printed on, your router).
- Change the default SSID and password
- Enable WEP security
- Turn on firewall features
Access Points
Access points can be installed in additional areas of your home to expand your Wi-Fi signal to other devices. Most routers offer enough Wi-Fi range to cover most homes – the larger buildings will necessitate multiple access points and/or routers.
Connect the wireless access point up to the wired router or – alternatively – switch via an Ethernet cable. For wireless networks ensure that connect the access point to one of the ports on your wireless router. After this configure the access point’s wireless settings.
Devices
You’re now free to connect up your wires and wireless devices as you wish, you are able to connect more devices by introducing more switches and wireless access points. Remember that too many connected devices could weaken the Wi-Fi signal of a wireless network.