What Do You Need for a Secure and Reliable Home Network Setup?
Learn about what goes into building a fast, reliable, and secure home network
A network is an essential part of your Pittsburgh, PA, home’s infrastructure. It’s the backbone that supports most of the technology in your house, including your personal computers, smartphones, and smart technology. Today, we rely on home networking more than ever before for remote work, video conferencing, 4K video streaming, online gaming, and much more.
What components do you need to build a fast, reliable, and secure network setup in your home? Keep reading to learn the answers.
SEE ALSO: Home Network Problems? We Have the Solutions You Need.
Router and Modem
A router is hardware that allows multiple devices (like computers, smartphones, and smart devices) to form a network and use the same internet connection. The router brings the internet to the devices on your home network, while the modem connects your home network to the wider internet. You can purchase routers and modems separately or as an integrated unit — both devices are essential for your home network setup.
Depending on the number of connected devices in your home, your setup may also require network switches. Switches link devices together and allow them to communicate with each other. The primary purpose of switches is to facilitate high-speed network traffic flow when multiple devices are in use.
We recommend investing in an enterprise-class router, modem, and switches for optimal network performance. Enterprise-class products have more memory, better processing power for multiple connected devices, and advanced software for traffic prioritization. They also have more robust security protocols to prevent hackers from accessing your home network.
Wireless Access Points
In a medium or large house, or a house with multiple floors, a single wireless access point likely isn’t enough to provide strong Wi-Fi coverage to every corner of your home. You can extend Wi-Fi coverage with wireless access points hardwired back to your router. Wireless access points ensure that you have Wi-Fi wherever you roam at home, and you can move from room to room without the signals dropping. You can also install weatherproof access points outside to bring Wi-Fi to your backyard and patio for outdoor entertainment.
Hardwired Devices
Hardwired devices are those connected to your network switch via ethernet cable. You probably don’t want to hardwire your whole home, but connecting your wireless access points, network switches, and other critical devices via hardwire helps build a robust backbone for your network. Hardwired connections are typically more secure, more reliable, and faster than wireless ones.
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation of Wi-Fi, and while it may not be something you need in your home right away, it’s something you should consider for the future. Wi-Fi 6 supports faster internet and improved network performance for multiple connected devices. To get the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, you’ll need to have a Wi-Fi 6 enabled wireless access point and connected devices, which is why we don’t recommend buying all new equipment right now.
However, next-generation routers, laptops, and smart devices are already trickling into the market, so keep Wi-Fi 6 in mind when it’s time to start upgrading your devices and network hardware.
We rely on our home networks more than ever in a digitally connected world. If your current solution isn’t equipped to handle your household needs for remote work, smart technology, and home entertainment, contact Simply Automated to discuss upgrading your setup. Give us a call or fill out an online contact form to get in touch.
