Title: Wireless N Standard Helps Home Networks Source: Investor Business Daily
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Today, computer networks aren't just for computers. If you've purchased a TV, Blu-ray Disc player or video game console in the last couple of years, they likely are network-capable, giving them the ability to fetch updates and even stream movies online.
To take full advantage of those features, you'll need a network connection that reaches your home theater. For many, a wireless network might be the answer.
If you have a laptop computer or iPod Touch, you probably have a wireless router in the house. Older wireless gear is fine for many uses, such as streaming music to your digital audio player and even some movies through services such as Netflix (NasdaqGS:NFLX - News).
But other digital media setups, such as Microsoft's (NasdaqGS:MSFT - News) Media Center, require speeds of 50 megabits per second or more. While 802.11g networking gear sold just a few years ago promised speeds of up to 54 megabits per second, real-world setups rarely deliver anything close to that.
That's where a new standard called 802.11n comes in. The newer standard promises speeds of up to 300 megabits per second. While real-world speeds fall short of that maximum, they're usually fast enough for your setup. To use it, you'll need a wireless n-capable router, and possibly an n-compatible wireless bridge.
A few home routers worth considering are the WRT320N from Cisco Systems' (NasdaqGS:CSCO - News) Linksys unit, the WNDR3300 from Netgear (NasdaqGS:NTGR - News) and the DIR-825 Xtreme N from D-Link. You can find them for $150 or less at most electronics retailers.
All three routers feature dual-band broadcasting, meaning they send data over the 2.4-gigahertz and 5-gigahertz radio frequencies.
Older wireless routers broadcast in the 2.4-gigahertz range, and that airspace has become increasingly crowded over time. It's also more susceptible to interference from microwave ovens and other electronics.
Using both frequencies lets the devices work with older 2.4-gigahertz wireless gear, but also lets newer devices use the 5-gigahertz spectrum.
Before settling on wireless, make a mental map of your house. Draw an imaginary line between where you plan to place the router and wherever you'll need a connection, whether it's your home theater system or video game console in the rec room.
Are any thick walls in the way? Do you have electrical appliances or a large fish tank in that path? Will the wireless router be on a different floor level than your equipment?
These obstacles could hinder your wireless speeds. And because wireless signals get less reliable over distances, try to place the router as close as possible to wireless devices that will access it.
You may need an additional device called a wireless bridge to connect devices that can't connect wirelessly. Such devices connect to your network wirelessly and share that connection to any device with a standard wired Ethernet plug-in, forming a "bridge" for your wired-network devices and your wireless network. Most of the major router makers sell them for about $100.
Using the same vendor for your router and bridge is usually best; some companies use proprietary technology to achieve the fastest data speeds. And if something goes wrong, having just one vendor to complain to is easier than running in circles as each vendor blames the other for your problems.
Consider using a bridge even if your home theater equipment is wireless-ready. In addition to offering better speeds than most built-in wireless connections, newer wireless bridges offer the strongest wireless security available: Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, or WPA2. Depending on when you bought it, your wireless home theater gear might use an older security technology or none at all.
Speaking of security, use the strongest security your gear offers -- preferably WPA2 -- and choose a password that's hard to guess. You don't want neighbors or drive-by identity thieves peeping in on your network.
Some routers can generate a long, cryptic password that's virtually impossible to crack. Those passwords are impossible for most people to remember, but you'll likely have to deal with that hassle when adding new devices to your network.
Friday: networking via home electrical power lines
