How To Setup Your SOHO Network

There will be time when you want to share access to another computer or to internet in your house. Besides your own computer, your kid or your associate, if you employ one, would need to access your computer and internet too. Then you need a network.

Setting up a home network is easy right now. You need several components to enable your home network i.e.:

1. Network card for your PC/notebook.

You may not need to buy one if your pc/notebook is already pre-built with network card. The easy way to check is to see if your pc/notebook has a network RJ-45 connection. It looks similar to phone jack female, but bigger size.

2. Network cable to connect the whole network.
3. Router if you have more than 2 computers to connect.

Home Setup

If you have only 2 computers to connect, then buy a twisted pair network cable. Here is the simple procedure for Windows. You just plugin the cable to its network card port. Power on your pc. Then go to control panel and click "Network and Internet Connections". Click "Setup or change your home or small office network" and continue following the setup wizard.

You need to pay attention on how you route the cable. If possible, do not route the cable on the floor as you or other family member can tip over it.

If you need to connect more than 2 computers, you need a router and regular network cable. There are many models and features about this router. Some are even built-in with ADSL modem.

Wireless (Wi-Fi) Network

If you don't want to bother with cables, you can install wireless network. Nowadays the price of wireless network is more affordable for home users. If your notebook is already built-in with wireless network capability, your investment will be even less.

The benefit of wi-fi is that you can easily add connections. It is also capable to deliver max speed of 54 Mbps. And of course you do not have to worry about cables.

However you need to know its limitation. In office, its maximum range is about 300 ft. You also need to be cautious about security where someone outside can sniff your network or just ride your internet bandwidth for free.

You also need to understand that wireless network operates on public radio frequency. Then there will be some disturbances from other appliances using radio frequency such as microwave. So be careful when you layout your wireless network.

One last warning, the data transfer rate is maximum. It is done in lab. In real life situation, you may see a drop of bandwith to a half of its maximum speed.