Why would you want a home computer network? To make it easier to share data, video, picture, and music files between two or more computers, play video games with friends, share a printer and more.
One example: if you have two or more computers and only one Internet connection, a network lets both computers share the connection to get to the Internet to download files, check email and more.
Set up a wireless network, and you can share Internet access and files with computers, iPads, smart TVs, video game consoles, some smart phones and more anywhere within range of the network.
Add a media server (a dedicated external hard drive) to your network, and make data, media and other files accessible to anyone on the network without having to keep one of your computers running all the time.
Home automation and monitoring devices may also need a home wireless network so you can control lights, alarms, A/C, surveillance cameras and more from anywhere in the home and, with Internet access, across town or around the world.
And - a network connected game console(s) lets you play video games in teams or alone against opponents anywhere in your home or around the globe.
OK, now you know why you need a home network.
Here’s what you need to set it up:
Home Wireless Networks 101: You need a modem, router and a wireless adapter (the modem converts the phone DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or the cable signals to computer signals; router connects to the modem and provides multiple direct wired connections for your network devices; wireless adapter broadcasts your network signal, well, wirelessly, throughout a limited range).
If your computer is now connected to the Internet, you already have a modem supplied by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Some phone and cable companies supply you with a combination modem/router/wireless adapter in a single unit as part of your data contract, but some require a one-time or monthly fee for its use. And some ISPs offer services of a technician for the initial install and setup of your network.
If you need special features (i.e., greater wireless range, faster speed to handle streaming HD movies to your smart TV, or possibly to avoid interference with your cordless phones), you may have to buy your own wireless router to connect to the modem already supplied by the ISP.
Retail choices of wireless routers can be bewildering, but a good starting point for comparison is Netgear’s N600 series, available at Staples, Best Buy or similar; some stores also offer onsite help for installation and setup.
And - a word to the wise: your wireless signal may extend to your neighbor’s house or anywhere else in the immediate vicinity of your home, so be sure to create a password at the time of initial setup of your network to secure your network against unwanted users.
One final thought: A respected provider of connected services predicts that by 2016 some 10 billion connected devices will be in use (that’s more devices than there are people on the planet). So get connected!
