| A network allows a single broadband account to | | | | 802.11a or 802.11b, two older standards, consider |
| be shared throughout the home. Unfortunately, | | | | upgrading only if you find the range, speed, or |
| such networking is impractical with dial-up Internet | | | | reliability of your network wanting. |
| service--one of several reasons you might want | | | | At the other end of the spectrum are routers |
| to consider broadband. | | | | that use early variants of the latest Wi-Fi |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | standard, 802.11n. Frequently referred to with |
| Home networking is getting a boost from | | | | terms such as "MIMO," "Super G," or "pre-n," such |
| improvements in the range, speed, and cost of | | | | models might not be compatible with the actual |
| wireless networks. If you own a laptop computer | | | | "n" standard, which is due in late 2006. They also |
| that has wireless capability, a wireless network | | | | require that you buy matching networking |
| now allows you to surf the Web at broadband | | | | adapters, even for computers with built-in 802.11g |
| speeds from most places in your house, yard, or | | | | capability. |
| apartment. Leading brands of wireless routers | | | | Consider one of these new routers only if you |
| include D-Link, Netgear, and Linksys. Wired | | | | have range problems that can't be solved in other |
| networking is far from obsolete, however, since it | | | | ways. In our tests, they were better at |
| still provides the most secure and reliable | | | | penetrating walls than 802.11g routers, and some |
| connections. Indeed, for many households the | | | | offered data speeds that were twice as fast. But |
| best solution for sharing a broadband | | | | they were just as likely to interfere with (or |
| connection--or a printer, music files, or digital | | | | receive interference from) cordless phones and |
| photos--among multiple computers might be a | | | | other devices. |
| network that includes both wired and wireless. | | | | Consider whether and how you'll share a printer. A |
| Ethernet, or wired, networks. Wired networks are | | | | network lets you avoid the cost of putting a |
| very secure by themselves, with no special | | | | printer in every room by sharing one. To do this, |
| security measures necessary. They are reliable, | | | | you can use a printer with built-in network |
| and usually immune to interference. They offer | | | | capability. |
| the fastest data transfer--up to 94 megabits per | | | | It's possible to share a non-networked printer by |
| second for the common 10/100 type, enough for | | | | attaching it to the network via a print server, a |
| virtually any data application. | | | | device that costs $70 to $100 and is the size of a |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | large paperback. There may be issues of |
| One drawback is that you can't easily move your | | | | interference with some printer-management |
| computer around the home. Routing cables | | | | software, however. Any PC connected to a |
| throughout the home can be a hassle or | | | | printer can also serve as a print server for the |
| expensive. Price range: $50 to $100 for one | | | | other computers on the network, though you |
| router and a cable to connect two fairly new | | | | must leave that computer on when you're |
| computers. Also, there might be additional costs | | | | printing. |
| for routing cable through the home. Wi-Fi, 802.11g | | | | Consider networking issues for other devices. An |
| (wireless). There are no cables to connect or rout | | | | increasing number of devices that typically |
| with a wireless network, and there are minimal | | | | connect to a single computer--PDAs, printers, and |
| installation costs. Mobility is the key--the wireless | | | | video-game consoles--are now Wi-Fi compatible. If |
| network supplies signals virtually anywhere around | | | | you plan to connect any of them to your |
| the home. You will need to take additional steps in | | | | network, make sure they're compatible with the |
| terms of security, without which your data are | | | | network security you set up. |
| vulnerable to hackers. Thick walls can reduce | | | | Check whether you need to buy adapters. Every |
| signal strength, which might vary in different | | | | computer on your network will require an adapter |
| areas of the home or even within a room. Wi-Fi | | | | to allow it to communicate with the network; the |
| networks might interfere with cordless phones, | | | | question is whether it already has one built in. If |
| baby monitors, and other wireless devices. These | | | | you're using Ethernet to connect a computer |
| networks are only 25 percent as fast as | | | | bought within the past three years or so, the |
| Ethernet, but they're still fine for typical | | | | adapter will most likely be built into the unit. The |
| networking uses, such as Web surfing and e-mail. | | | | same applies to recent-vintage laptops, which |
| Price range: $200 or less for a router and client | | | | should have built-in 802.11g capability. |
| cards to allow two computers to use the | | | | If you need to buy a network adapter for your |
| network wirelessly | | | | desktop, you can choose either an internal |
| HOW TO CHOOSE | | | | PC-card version, which requires opening the |
| Plan your network. You'll probably want to locate | | | | computer case for installation, or a USB version, |
| the router near the source of your broadband | | | | which plugs into a USB port. Laptops can use |
| service--usually a cable or DSL modem. The | | | | either a PCI-card or USB adapter. In all cases, the |
| router and the modem will be connected by an | | | | cost should be no more than $60. |
| Ethernet cable. But the connections between the | | | | Resist professional installation help. Computer |
| router and the computers in the network might | | | | retailers might try to sell you on professional |
| be either wired or wireless. | | | | installation for your new network, starting at a |
| Choose a wireless router. That is the official term | | | | cost of $150 or so. But wiring aside, today's |
| for the models that support both Ethernet and | | | | networks are so easy to set up that you |
| Wi-Fi. Even if you don't need wireless capability | | | | shouldn't take them up on their offer if you're |
| now, acquiring it costs little extra (perhaps $10 or | | | | comfortable with technology. |
| so) compared with a wired model, and might | | | | Network gear usually comes with instructions and |
| spare your having to replace the router if you | | | | access to free 24/7 technical support. And you |
| want to add a wireless device to it in the future. | | | | can always come back to the retailer for help in |
| Stick with the 802.11g wireless standard. Wi-Fi is | | | | troubleshooting the network if necessary. |
| continually evolving, with new standards designed | | | | Shop by return policy. For all your best efforts, |
| to increase broadcast range and speed, thus | | | | the network equipment you've bought might not |
| increasing the network's ability to handle new | | | | be compatible with your home. For example, your |
| types of information. The name of the standard is | | | | walls and floors might be especially resistant to |
| usually listed on the router's package, as a letter | | | | wireless transmission (which might be the case if |
| suffix to the technical term for Wi-Fi, which is | | | | they have a lot of moisture, metal, or other highly |
| 802.11. Currently the most common standard is | | | | conductive material in them). Before you buy, |
| known as 802.11g. We think it's the best choice | | | | check the store's return policies. Consider a |
| for most people. | | | | retailer with a generous one. |
| The 802.11g networks we tested all had sufficient | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of |
| range and speed to provide coverage throughout | | | | U.S., Inc. |
| most homes. The data speeds we measured fell | | | | For the latest information on this and many other |
| short of the standard speed for 802.11g. But all | | | | products and services, visit |
| routers were much faster than the typical speed | | | | Find More |
| of a broadband Internet connection. | | | | Home networking with Easy Deal |
| If you already have a wireless network that uses | | | | ShopNdeal. |