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Home Computer Networking

Do you need more than one computer setup to access the internet?  Well if your home is like most, a couple of teenagers and such, chances are you need a home network for everyone to have access to the internet.  For the most part setting up a home network is very simple.  Add a wireless router to the setup and and everyone is happy.  Now everyone doesn't have the know how, That's where DMN Computer Services comes in.  We setup your home network, show you how to operate it, including how to restart it.

Wireless Network vs. Wired Network

Which is best.  Lets compare the two types of networks.  First we will look at a wired home network.

Cost of Wired Home Networking -- The cost of a wired home network can be quite expensive.  Depending on the number of networked computers the cost of network cabling can cost as much as $130.00 per computer, ($110.00 per run plus patch cables).  So if you have a computer upstairs, one downstairs you're looking at a few hundreds of dollars.  This doesn't take into account the cost of repairing  your walls where the cables are run through.  Now you're looking at another couple of hundred dollars.  Then you're going to need a patch panel, (another 100.00), Ethernet hub which are relatively cheap.  So far we're looking at $500 to $600.  10 years ago this was your only option!

Wired Network Security -- Security on a wired home network is best.  Unless you have a physical connection to the network you don't have to worry about a hacker tapping into your network.  You still have to worry about the hacker coming in over the internet, but that's where a good internet security program comes in.  You need this software regardless of network type.  We recommend Avast ISS.

Lastly your computes are tethered to where you set them up at, not a problem for network desktop computers, but a limiting factor for network laptop computers, which are supposed to be mobile.

Cost of Wireless Home Networking -- The cost of a wireless home network is very in-expensive, one of its main advantages over a home wired network.  There are fewer cables and generally the network cables needed are included with the wireless network equipment when you purchase it.  No repair work fixing walls and such.  The cost of a good wireless network router will run about $50 to $100.  Network speeds on the newer wireless routers is equal to or surpasses current Cat 5 cable spec's, (100 Mbits/s).  Now,  most laptop computers come with built in wireless and the cost of wireless adapters for desktop computers is between $30 and $60.  Don't buy refurbished or older A/B/G equipment.  Go with the newer standard which is N.  So to network 3 computers your cost will run about $200 for equipment and a couple hours of labor.

Wireless Network Security -- This is a big issues with wireless networking that wired networks don't have to worry about.  Most people not informed just setup the wireless network with out any encryption.  This is very bad as any one in range of your network can piggyback (tap into) onto your network.  So a hacker could actually park across the street from your home and use your network to access the internet with out your knowledge.  This occurs more often that you might imagine.   There are different levels of encryption, wep, wpa,wpa2.  Wep was the first to be used and is in-secure.  The FBI demonstrated that wep can be broken in less that 5 minutes, they even released the tools and instructions on how to do it.  Thanks FBI you're great !  That's why we recommend wpa or wpa2, depending on your equipment.  The newest wireless equipment sold today has built in wpa2 and is backwards compatible with older wireless equipment.

Laptop computers can be moved freely through out your home and still stay connected to the internet.  If you decide to move your desktop to another room, no problem, you don't have to re-wire your home network.