Businesses have the resources to make sure they have an IT infrastructure that is set up properly. They can afford to lay out all the hardware needed to provide a network connection for any computer that they procure. For instance, they can install a robust IP-PBX telephone system to ensure an efficient communications system. With the amount of tech involved in business operations, there should also be ample support. Businesses usually have an IT department, which has a helpdesk that is ready to take on any problems that come their way.
At home, the network setup is simpler. Most internet providers give customers a gateway device that combines both modem and router functionality. If you have multiple internet-capable devices at home, this should be enough to get you started. After all, you get to have a handful of ethernet ports and Wi-Fi capability. But for some households, even this kind of flexibility is not enough. There could be factors that prevent them from taking advantage of the gateway’s features. If that’s the case, here are some devices that can help you manage your home network better.
Wired Local Area Network
Most modern computers have what you call the ethernet port. This is where you plug the ethernet cable (its jack resembles the one from your landline phone, except it’s bigger) for a Local Area Network or LAN connection.
You first need your gateway placed in a strategic location in the house. The most ideal would be right in the center, which allows for a good spread of the Wi-Fi signal. If that spot is awkward for a LAN connection, you can buy a longer ethernet cable. It could result in cable clutter, so prepare to manage the cables to keep people from tripping on them.
LAN Couplers
If you do not have a long ethernet cable, you can connect shorter ones until they reach their destination area. You can do this with the use of couplers. These are female-to-female ethernet sockets used to chain cables together.
Powerline Connectors
Take advantage of your existing electrical wiring by using powerline connectors. These are bases with ethernet ports that you can plug into any electrical outlet, which is then used to connect to another base somewhere in the house. This is a device that is convenient and does not require any overhauling within your home.
Wi-Fi Adapters
The main selling point of a laptop is its portability. Manufacturers make sure you get the basic features associated with that. One of them is a built-in Wi-Fi card, which most modern laptops have as standard. Bring it with you when you visit your nearest coffee shop, and they would share with you their Wi-Fi access. But what about your desktop computers?
A few motherboards, like the mini-ITX, have Wi-Fi chips in them. But the rest do not usually carry that as a feature. You can get adapters that can come in USB or PCI form. For the latter, you have to dig into your PC and insert that into a slot in your motherboard. Once you have that in, it would allow your computer to connect to a network wirelessly.
Wi-Fi Repeaters
If you have a larger house, you could have a problem distributing your Wi-Fi signal. You can use a repeater for that. This is a device you can plug at logical points around your home, which would help extend the range of your wireless signal.
You are well on your way to having a worry-free network at home when you have these items. They should let you browse freely from anywhere in the house. It does take some effort to set them up, but that should be all worth it.
