Network Hardware
Once you've chosen the type of network (wired or wireless) for your home, you’ll need some basic network hardware.
Router
This is considered the heart of your home network and is the device that routes all the traffic to and from the Internet to the various computers on your network. It lets you share files and printers, and provides a basic layer of security from Internet threats.
Learn more about how Routers work.
High-Speed Internet Connection (either DSL or cable)
You can purchase high-speed Internet service from your local telephone (for DSL), satellite or cable company. Both types of connections are considerably faster than dial-up access. High-speed Internet is also commonly referred to as broadband.
Modem
Connects your Internet service to your computer so you can surf the Internet and access your email. Depending upon what type of broadband service you have, you must purchase or rent either a DSL or cable modem. Or, you can purchase a modem from your local electronics retailer or e-retail store. A gateway router is an all-in-one solution that combines the functions of a router with a cable or DSL modem so that two separate devices are not required.
Network Adapter
Allows your computers to connect to the network. If you already have a wireless or network adapter pre-installed in your computer, you may not need to purchase one. There are different types of adapters available, depending on your computer.
For a desktop computer:
- PCI Adapter fits into a slot inside your computer, requiring you to remove the outside case
- USB Adapter simply plugs into a USB port on the outside of your computer and does not require you to remove the outside case
For a laptop computer:
- PC (PCMCIA) Card is about the size of a credit card and simply slides into a slot on your laptop computer. This type of card is recommended when using a wireless network setup since you can walk around without having to juggle an external adapter
- ExpressCard for laptop computers with an ExpressCard slot.
- USB Adapter simply plugs into a USB port on the outside of your laptop computer
To get the best performance it is important to match the adapter to the router. If you have a Wireless-N router you should use a Wireless-N adapter. Wireless-G devices will work fine with a Wireless-N router, but computers with Wireless-N adapters will only work as fast as a Wireless-G router.