Consumer Reports - Home-networking

A network allows a single broadband account toof a broadband Internet connection.
be shared throughout the home. Unfortunately,If you already have a wireless network that uses
such networking is impractical with dial-up Internet802.11a or 802.11b, two older standards, consider
service--one of several reasons you might wantupgrading only if you find the range, speed, or
to consider broadband.reliability of your network wanting.
WHAT'S AVAILABLEAt the other end of the spectrum are routers
Home networking is getting a boost fromthat use early variants of the latest Wi-Fi
improvements in the range, speed, and cost ofstandard, 802.11n. Frequently referred to with
wireless networks. If you own a laptop computerterms such as "MIMO," "Super G," or "pre-n," such
that has wireless capability, a wireless networkmodels might not be compatible with the actual
now allows you to surf the Web at broadband"n" standard, which is due in late 2006. They also
speeds from most places in your house, yard, orrequire that you buy matching networking
apartment. Leading brands of wireless routersadapters, even for computers with built-in 802.11g
include D-Link, Netgear, and Linksys. Wiredcapability.
networking is far from obsolete, however, since itConsider one of these new routers only if you
still provides the most secure and reliablehave range problems that can't be solved in other
connections. Indeed, for many households theways. In our tests, they were better at
best solution for sharing a broadbandpenetrating walls than 802.11g routers, and some
connection--or a printer, music files, or digitaloffered data speeds that were twice as fast. But
photos--among multiple computers might be athey were just as likely to interfere with (or
network that includes both wired and wireless.receive interference from) cordless phones and
Ethernet, or wired, networks. Wired networks areother devices.
very secure by themselves, with no specialConsider whether and how you'll share a printer. A
security measures necessary. They are reliable,network lets you avoid the cost of putting a
and usually immune to interference. They offerprinter in every room by sharing one. To do this,
the fastest data transfer--up to 94 megabits peryou can use a printer with built-in network
second for the common 10/100 type, enough forcapability.
virtually any data application.It's possible to share a non-networked printer by
IMPORTANT FEATURESattaching it to the network via a print server, a
One drawback is that you can't easily move yourdevice that costs $70 to $100 and is the size of a
computer around the home. Routing cableslarge paperback. There may be issues of
throughout the home can be a hassle orinterference with some printer-management
expensive. Price range: $50 to $100 for onesoftware, however. Any PC connected to a
router and a cable to connect two fairly newprinter can also serve as a print server for the
computers. Also, there might be additional costsother computers on the network, though you
for routing cable through the home. Wi-Fi, 802.11gmust leave that computer on when you're
(wireless). There are no cables to connect or routprinting.
with a wireless network, and there are minimalConsider networking issues for other devices. An
installation costs. Mobility is the key--the wirelessincreasing number of devices that typically
network supplies signals virtually anywhere aroundconnect to a single computer--PDAs, printers, and
the home. You will need to take additional steps invideo-game consoles--are now Wi-Fi compatible. If
terms of security, without which your data areyou plan to connect any of them to your
vulnerable to hackers. Thick walls can reducenetwork, make sure they're compatible with the
signal strength, which might vary in differentnetwork security you set up.
areas of the home or even within a room. Wi-FiCheck whether you need to buy adapters. Every
networks might interfere with cordless phones,computer on your network will require an adapter
baby monitors, and other wireless devices. Theseto allow it to communicate with the network; the
networks are only 25 percent as fast asquestion is whether it already has one built in. If
Ethernet, but they're still fine for typicalyou're using Ethernet to connect a computer
networking uses, such as Web surfing and e-mail.bought within the past three years or so, the
Price range: $200 or less for a router and clientadapter will most likely be built into the unit. The
cards to allow two computers to use thesame applies to recent-vintage laptops, which
network wirelesslyshould have built-in 802.11g capability.
HOW TO CHOOSEIf you need to buy a network adapter for your
Plan your network. You'll probably want to locatedesktop, you can choose either an internal
the router near the source of your broadbandPC-card version, which requires opening the
service--usually a cable or DSL modem. Thecomputer case for installation, or a USB version,
router and the modem will be connected by anwhich plugs into a USB port. Laptops can use
Ethernet cable. But the connections between theeither a PCI-card or USB adapter. In all cases, the
router and the computers in the network mightcost should be no more than $60.
be either wired or wireless.Resist professional installation help. Computer
Choose a wireless router. That is the official termretailers might try to sell you on professional
for the models that support both Ethernet andinstallation for your new network, starting at a
Wi-Fi. Even if you don't need wireless capabilitycost of $150 or so. But wiring aside, today's
now, acquiring it costs little extra (perhaps $10 ornetworks are so easy to set up that you
so) compared with a wired model, and mightshouldn't take them up on their offer if you're
spare your having to replace the router if youcomfortable with technology.
want to add a wireless device to it in the future.Network gear usually comes with instructions and
Stick with the 802.11g wireless standard. Wi-Fi isaccess to free 24/7 technical support. And you
continually evolving, with new standards designedcan always come back to the retailer for help in
to increase broadcast range and speed, thustroubleshooting the network if necessary.
increasing the network's ability to handle newShop by return policy. For all your best efforts,
types of information. The name of the standard isthe network equipment you've bought might not
usually listed on the router's package, as a letterbe compatible with your home. For example, your
suffix to the technical term for Wi-Fi, which iswalls and floors might be especially resistant to
802.11. Currently the most common standard iswireless transmission (which might be the case if
known as 802.11g. We think it's the best choicethey have a lot of moisture, metal, or other highly
for most people.conductive material in them). Before you buy,
The 802.11g networks we tested all had sufficientcheck the store's return policies. Consider a
range and speed to provide coverage throughoutretailer with a generous one.
most homes. The data speeds we measured fellCopyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of
short of the standard speed for 802.11g. But allU.S., Inc.
routers were much faster than the typical speed