How to Organize a Home Network

You've got a broadband Internet connection to your house or home
office--now it's time to hook it up to all your computers and other
Internet-ready devices. If you're at all apprehensive about taking on
this project yourself, bring in a professional.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Decide how you'll connect your network: wirelessly, via a power line (using your electrical system as a computer network; see Homeplug.org), using Ethernet, or a combination of the above. Most people choose wireless networks. They're the easiest to set up, but present security issues since they can be hacked into.

2. Wander through your house (if you opt for a wireless network) with a wireless-enabled laptop before installation to see what other networks exist in your neighborhood or building. Computers with wireless capability search for wireless networks constantly; a window will pop up and ask if you want to join a network.

3. Decide where you want to place your router, the centerpiece of your network. Locate a wireless router somewhere near the center of your home to provide good coverage for the entire area.

4. Install Category 6 wire if you're installing an Ethernet network, from the router to each location where you'll have a computer or printer, and terminate the wires (put on the connectors).

5. Get a print server for each printer you'd like to put on your network (unless the printer is already network capable). A printer can also be attached to an individual computer and made accessible to other computers on the network using the printer sharing feature in Windows.

6. Find out if your TV, stereo or kitchen appliances are Internet capable. If so, put them on the network and send MP3s and video files from your computer back home--or even operate your appliances from work via the Net. Look into incorporating your home-security system as well.

Tips & Warnings

• You can mix and match equipment from various manufacturers as long as the products employ the same standards. The most common standard for wireless is 802.11g. Equipment labeled 802.11b (or Wi-Fi) will work with 802.11g gear.
• A wireless network may work better if you choose a different wireless channel than your neighbors. Check your router manual.
• Your router looks at each piece of data traveling on the network and makes sure it goes to the right place. You can connect four or more peripheral devices to most routers.
• Change the default password on your router immediately after configuring it, and enable all security measures such as WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) and firewall protection.