Home Network Setup Tips

These days, everyone has an Internet-ready device. Setting up a home network is nearly essential to live life the way it's expected. Fortunately, setting up a basic home network is easy.

Step 1: Determine Your Needs

What devices do you need to connect to the Internet? What is the state of your home? These are important questions to help you decide what hardware you need to purchase. What Internet Service Providers (ISPs) service your areas? There are generally four types of connection; DSL, cable, satellite and fiber.

Satellite is generally the worst in terms of connection speeds, but is available in areas other connections can't reach. DSL is slower than cable in most circumstances, but works better during peak hours.

Cable can slow down during peak hours, but is often the only available choice. Fiber is extremely limited, but is amazingly fast if you can get it.

How old is your home? Installing Internet cables is easier in new construction, and modern homes may already be wired. Older homes will need special installation and will benefit more from wireless or power line Internet.

How many devices will connect? If you only have one or two personal computers set up in an office, you won't need a full-house installation. On the other hand, if five people live in the home and each has a laptop, smart phone and tablet, a wireless network is the only solution.

Your network hardware shopping list:

• A modem, either for DSL or cable depending on your ISP. You can rent one from your ISP, but it's more cost-effective to buy your own. Not to mention, owning your own hardware gives you greater freedom to configure your network

• Unless you only have one computer and will never expand, purchase a router. Most routers will offer four or more wired connections and a wireless option, allowing you to connect as many devices as you need

• Cat6 cabling. This network cabling is the current standard. You will need a short cable to reach from your modem to your router, and as many longer cables as you need for wired connections

Step 2: Set Up Your Network Hardware

Call your ISP of choice and schedule an appointment for network installation or activation. If your home has not previously had an Internet connection, this meeting will take some time while the technician installs the proper cabling. If your home has an older, deactivated connection, the technician will activate it and help you install your modem.

Each piece of hardware will come with its own instructions. Follow these instructions. Your ISP technician should help you install your modem. Your router will require setup through your computer, using a CD. Make sure you change the default administrator password on any wireless network. Otherwise, anyone driving by could access your network and change your settings. In particularly bad cases, this may require home network repairs.

Access the router once you have it installed and set up a firewall and any additional security you need. If you have a wireless installation, you should set up some kind of additional security, such as WPA encryption or MAC address filtering. You can also set your wireless network not to broadcast its name, making it impossible for anyone without the name to access it.

If you have a home business you my be interested in network maintenance plans. In some cases, ISPs will provide a service where they check your network on a regular basis to ensure proper functionality. You can also set up your own schedule for personal network maintenance, changing your passwords and updating firmware.

Troubleshooting Tips

Eventually, your network will fail. The most basic solution is to power cycle your modem and your router. To do this, unplug both devices and leave them off for at least a full minute. Once this minute has passed, plug in each device and wait for them to connect.

Most basic networking issues can be solved with this process, and when you call your ISP tech support, it is the first thing they will tell you to do. You may be able to solve your issues, if they persist, by searching for the symptoms online. You can also call tech support for advanced troubleshooting; it's even possible they may pro-rate your next bill for the down time.
 
Dominick Rivoli is the owner at A1 Rivoli, top office equipment and computer service and repair specialists for the Long Island, NY Nassau, and Western Suffolk areas. Visit the website at www.a1rivoli.com.