How to Create a Home Network
- 1). Decide if you'd like a wireless or wired network for your home environment. The answer to this decision mostly depends on how you'll use the devices connected to the network. With a wireless signal, you'll have the freedom to move around various rooms in your home and still remain connected. If most of your equipment will be in one location, then a wired network may be easier for you to set up. It mostly involves plugging cables into the appropriate slots to get them working on the home network.
- 2). Use a wireless router to connect several Wi-Fi devices to one central network. A few examples of items that will successfully work on this type of connection include a gaming system, Wi-Fi printer and laptops with wireless components. Follow the on-screen prompts for setting up your wireless router to create a network for all of your devices.
- 3). Add maximum security to your wireless home network by locking it from unauthorized users. Log onto the security settings of your wireless router to add a special password to it. Read the included manual to find the specific IP address of your wireless router. Change the default password to one that others won't easily guess. Each time you send and receive data, it's transported through the air for others to view. Encrypt your information by password protecting files or using applications that hide the data.
- 4). Connect the devices to your home network through a wired Ethernet cable. If you really don't need a flexible connection that allows you to move from place to place, a wired connection may benefit you. The security level of a wired connection is usually higher than a wireless one. In order to access it, unauthorized users have to be physically inside your home to view your sensitive data.
- 5). Monitor your home network to make sure that others are not trying to "piggyback" onto your current connection. Unauthorized users can slow your connection speed without your realizing it. Cisco Network Magic Pro and Spiceworks (see Resources) are two common examples of monitoring tools for your home network. View all devices connected to the network along with their current status.
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