Home Networking

Computer networks have existed for more than thirty years, but only relatively recently have they become popular in homes. In 1999, only a few hundred thousand households in the United States possessed a home network, although many more "expressed interest" in having one.

Today, many millions of households in the U.S. and worldwide have adopted home computer networking. Millions more have yet to build their first home network. Even those who've previously taken the plunge are now beginning to revamp their networks for wireless - the current wave of useful technology for home networking.

Depending on your present goals and past experience, varying types of information may be relevant to your situation. Use the outline below as a comprehensive guide to your personal research.

Do I Really Need a Home Computer Network?

Some of you likely share files between your computers using floppy disks or USB keys. A home network allows you to share these files much faster and more conveniently by utilizing the available connections between computers. Home networks allow sharing of other things, too, like a printer and an Internet connection. Finally, home networks create the possibility to use new applications like multi-player online games.

Benefits of Home Computer Network

• file sharing - Network file sharing between computers gives you more flexibity than using floppy drives or Zip drives. Not only can you share photos, music files, and documents, you can also use a home network to save copies of all of your important data on a different computer. Backups are one of the most critical yet overlooked tasks in home networking.
• printer / peripheral sharing - Once a home network is in place, it's easy to then set up all of the computers to share a single printer. No longer will you need to bounce from one system or another just to print out an email message. Other computer peripherals can be shared similarly such as network scanners, Web cams, and CD burners.
• Internet connection sharing - Using a home network, multiple family members can access the Internet simultaneously without having to pay an ISP for multiple accounts. You will notice the Internet connection slows down when several people share it, but broadband Internet can handle the extra load with little trouble. Sharing dial-up Internet connections works, too. Painfully slow sometimes, you will still appreciate having shared dial-up on those occasions you really need it.
• multi-player games - Many popular home computer games support LAN mode where friends and family can play together, if they have their computers networked.
• Internet telephone service - So-called Voice over IP (VoIP) services allow you to make and receive phone calls through your home network across the Internet, saving you money.
• home entertainment - Newer home entertainment products such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and video game consoles now support either wired or wireless home networking. Having these products integrated into your network enables online Internet gaming, video sharing and other advanced features. 

Although you can realize these same benefits with a wired home network, you should carefully consider building a wireless home network instead, for the following reasons:

1. Computer mobility. Notebook computers and other portable devices are much affordable than they were a few years ago. With a mobile computer and wireless home network, you aren't chained to a network cord and can work on the couch, on your porch, or wherever in the house is most convenient at the moment.
2. No unsightly wires. Businesses can afford to lay cable under their floors or inside walls. But most of us don't have the time or inclination to fuss with this in our home. Unless you own one of the few newer homes pre-wired with network cable, you'll save substantial time and energy avoiding the cabling mess and going wireless.
3. Wireless is the future. Wireless technology is clearly the future of networking. In building a wireless home network, you'll learn about the technology and be able to teach your friends and relatives. You'll also be better prepared for future advances in network technology coming in the future.

Before purchasing and installing equipment, determine your needs. The location of your computer(s), printer(s) and other devices you want to connect can affect your network design. Some systems may already contain built-in networking capability while others may not.

Those devices that need network capability added, probably support only certain kinds of network gear. Take care to buy compatible gear. 

If you desire shared Internet access, be sure to factor this into your design. Other important factors in network design include reach and speed.

Finally, consider both present and future needs in your plan. How many computers will your network have in the next year or two? A network with just two computers can involve a very different design than a network with five, for example.

Use our interactive network advisor tool to walk you through the factors to consider when designing your home network: