Why Should One Set Up A Home Wifi Network
There are a number of benefits to setting up a home network, such as being able to share hardware and software among multiple computers or devices.
Similar to having a cell phone plan with multiple lines for each member of the family, a home network allows multiple users to be online at the same time, though the configuration is different between wired and wireless networks. For example, the former will likely require additional cables to connect devices to a central hub, which may present logistical problems. Just keep in mind that, depending on the bandwidth, the more people sharing a single ISP connection, the increased likeliness that things may slow down.
Whether you want to stream movies or build a small home business with a wireless printer, you need to understand the basics of setting up your own home network. The good news: You don’t have to be an IT expert to succeed.
While both types of networks allow you to share files, such as documents and photos, a wireless network allows you to operate without using additional hardware or cables. Everyone on the network can also access wireless devices such as Wi-Fi enabled printers without being directly plugged into additional hardware. A wireless network is also desirable if you want to connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as a printer, to the network without requiring additional hardware.
Wired networks generally offer better connectivity over wireless networks, where distance from the internet access point can degrade performance. Wireless networks are also more vulnerable to security issues and interference, specially if you are running a home business or have access or dealings with sensitive data, however this can easily be solved through the implementation of a cloud based AAA service.
Let’s review a few terms for better understanding.
Bandwidth
This is the amount of data your internet connection can handle, usually measured in megabits per second. Think of bandwidth as a pipe: The bigger the pipe—the higher the bandwidth—the more quickly data can flow at one time.
Broadband
Refers to high-speed internet, a relative term often compared to dial-up, an older and slower technology that relies on connecting to the internet through a phone line, which is a much smaller pipe in our plumbing analogy.
DSL
For digital subscriber line, is a type of broadband connection that also uses phone lines, but achieves higher bandwidths though additional hardware on both the subscriber’s and the telephone company’s end.
Browser
If you’re reading this article on the internet, then you’re using a web browser, which is an application for viewing web pages. Each page has an address, called a uniform resource locator, or URL, that appears at the top of the page. Common browsers include Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a type of local area network (LAN). It is the wired version of a home or business network, as opposed to a wireless LAN (WLAN).
ISP
An internet service provider is exactly what it says: An ISP provides access to use the internet.
LAN and WLAN
Local Area Network (LAN) is simply a small-scale shared network between computers and other devices that allow them to share internet services, files, applications and other resources. A WLAN is a wireless LAN.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi refers to the technology that allows computers, tablets and other devices to connect to the internet and each other without a physical connection.
AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) Service
AAA is a server program mostly riding on the cloud that handles user requests for access to computer resources and, provides authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services. This helps protect your network and other devices from unwanted data theft and usage.
As such, this is a must for any wi-fi network and is easily and cheaply available in the form of cloudbased service platforms like Zen CC.