| r networks are no longer only available to large | | | | Internet-enabled devices in the home, including |
| corporations with extensive information | | | | gaming consoles, media centers, and digital media |
| technology departments and dozens or hundreds | | | | players, etc. Most routers and gateways also |
| of computers to manage and deploy. Today, a | | | | feature more than one Ethernet port, which |
| computer network can be set up in any home at | | | | allows the user to set up a wired network. A |
| any time: it requires neither specialized technical | | | | wireless router adds the ability to set up a |
| know-how or expensive equipment. Additionally, | | | | wireless network. All of these features, and more, |
| the simple act of connecting two computers | | | | create a safe, secure, and powerful network of |
| together is more than just yoking one hard drive | | | | devices that extend and expand the reach of |
| to another to create more space for more files; it | | | | your computers, making your life easier and more |
| can let you surf the Internet with your laptop | | | | productive. Some of the higher-end routers (such |
| next to the pool, listen to music in your study, | | | | as Actiontec's Wireless Broadband Router) even |
| look up recipes in your kitchen, or play games | | | | have the ability to move television shows and |
| between two Playstation consoles. The question is: | | | | movies from your television's set-top box or DVR |
| how do you do it? | | | | (digital video recorder) to computers or other |
| Most homes today are equipped with DSL | | | | mobile devices. Think of the possibilities! |
| modems. They do one thing, and do it very well: | | | | The difference between a router and gateway is |
| pipe the Internet into your house. With them, you | | | | quite simple. A router does not include a DSL |
| can connect one computer to it and surf the | | | | modem, which means that it will need to plug into |
| Web, comfortably and quickly, from your couch | | | | your current DSL modem in order to connect to |
| or the desk in your office. That's about the | | | | the Internet. A gateway includes both the router |
| extent of it. But if you want to do more, if you | | | | and the modem all in box. |
| want to share your Internet connection with | | | | Since most DSL users prefer to have one device, |
| more than one computer, or share a printer or | | | | you may want to consider upgrading your DSL |
| external hard drive with a series of computer, or | | | | modem to a DSL gateway. Most gateways come |
| want to create a wireless network to free | | | | in two varieties, those with wireless and those |
| yourself from the tyranny of cables and ports, | | | | without and are available at a wide range of |
| you're going to have to upgrade from your | | | | electronics stores, such as Best Buy and Circuit |
| garden-variety DSL modem to something a little | | | | City, as well as online at sites such as Amazon, |
| more powerful and a little more flexible: you're | | | | Buy.com, or the Actiontec online store. If you |
| going to have to install either a router or a | | | | purchase DSL through either Qwest or Verizon, |
| gateway. | | | | certified wireless gateways for either service are |
| Routers and gateways provide a number of | | | | available at many of the retail stores above. |
| functions that mere DSL modems do not. | | | | Order today and do things with your electronic |
| Specifically, they can route or share one Internet | | | | device that you never dreamed of before. |
| connection with multiple computers or other | | | | |