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WIRED, WIRELESS & HOMEPLUG NETWORKING
What We Do
An initial assessment is made to determine the best networking solution for your home.
We supply all hardware and cabling and will install at a time and date suited to you. This can include evenings and weekends. If you already own or are planning to purchase the hardware yourself then we will carry out the installation and setup procedure.
Networking together or sharing internet access across several computers can be achieved through various ways. They fall under three main areas, Wired, Wireless and Homeplug.
Wired or Ethernet Networking
This is by far the most reliable of the three. The widely accepted way of setting up an ethernet based network is to use ethernet cabling (CAT-5) and a router. The router also acts as the internet modem which allows attached computers to connect to the internet.
What are the downsides?
If the modem router and computers are in different rooms, the ethernet cable will require laying which for some will be a major upheaval. If the computer is relocated to another room, the cables will need to be re-layed.
Wireless Networking
If laying cables is not your cup of tea, there is an alternative.
Wireless internet removes the need for computer to router cabling (CAT-5). Instead a wireless signal is sent from the wireless router and received by the wirelessly equipped computer. The wireless router is different to a wired router in that a wired router cannot send out a wireless signal.
You may be thinking that your computer may be too old for wireless internet. In most cases that simply is not true. Basic requirements for a wireless network are a wireless modem router, a computer with a wireless adapter and Windows 98 or greater installed.
What are the downsides?
Wireless signals do not know where your home stops and your neighbours home starts. This can lead to neighbours sneaking in and using your internet connection for free. Fortunately, most top brand routers and wireless adapters have the facility to set up a secure network. So even if someone located your wireless network, they would find it difficult to use without the password.
Another major concern is local interference minifying signal strength. Interferences such as surrounding materials (e.g. metal filing cabinets), wall thickness and materials used (old homes compared to newer homes) and cordless phones.
Compatibility between manufacturers can also affect signal strength. This can lead to issues, especially for laptops with a built-in wireless device from one manufacturer trying to connect to a wireless router from another manufacturer.
Homeplug or Powerline
Hands up. How many of you knew that computers could be networked over an electrical power line?
Well they can, honest.
Homeplug has been around for a while. It has not been, until recently, a reliable form of networking. Simply, homeplug takes the ethernet connection between the computer and router and transfers it onto your electrical power line. The obvious benefit of this is having instant internet access from any room with an available power socket.
What are the downsides?
The main drawback is reliability. Your home will dictate how well the connection performs. Establishing a solid connection between homeplugs in old homes compared to newer homes has been difficult. Power spikes have caused homeplugs to stop working altogether.
Homeplugs are not for everyone and we only install if we feel confident that they will work and continue to work over time.
Fortunately, homeplugs are improving all the time and will overcome said issues to become as reliable as wired networking.
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