Weighing In On Your Home Networking

Setting up a complete home entertainment system that combines the power of online programming and the serious storage space available with network attached storage devices can be a rewarding home project for technologically savvy homeowners. These integrated home networks incorporate stereo systems, televisions, computing devices and many other household appliances to allow complete control and accessibility to shared data storage devices from anywhere inside the home. Technological advances in home networking have made it easy to add new devices and new options to home entertainment systems, and it all starts with a reliable broadband connection.

Creating an Ideal Home Network

Choosing between wireless and wired routers is usually a matter of determining what types of devices will predominantly compose the home network. Laptops and mobile devices usually come with an integrated wireless adapter, while desktops, televisions, home theater systems and stereo setups typically require a wireless adapter be purchased and installed in order to access the network connection. Some newer televisions include wireless connectivity out of the box, while others require a proprietary Wi-Fi dongle that serves as an adapter. When purchasing a new TV, it is wise to determine whether or not the dongle is included in the price, as they can be quite expensive when purchased separately and typically must be compatible with the specific brand.

Home Networking

Of course, the primary purpose of home network systems is to provide access directly to the Internet for computing. Most modern routers integrate both wired and wireless connectivity to allow maximum versatility for home networks; Ethernet connections can provide added stability for desktop computers, while laptops, notebooks and tablets can access the Internet easily through the router’s wireless capability. Regardless of the method used to connect these devices, routers should be configured to prevent unauthorized access to the home network and to protect valuable data stored on network attached storage devices or directly on connected computing devices.