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Copyright 2003Jupitermedia
  Most Popular Tutorials

• Microsoft Vista Home Networking Setup and Options
The most daunting part of upgrading to Windows Vista may be trying to figure out where in the layers of menus the networking and file-sharing options are hidden.

• Do It Yourself: Roll Your Own Network Cables
It may not be something you do everyday, but having the supplies and know-how to whip up a network cable on the spot can be very handy.

• Tips for Securing Your Home Router
Seemingly minor and easily overlooked settings can still have profound security implications. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your wired or wireless home router — and by extension, your network — is as secure as possible.

  Most Popular Reviews

• Microsoft Windows Home Server
If you have a home network, you'll welcome the easy file sharing, remote access and the image-based backup features of Windows Home Server.

• Iomega StorCenter Network Hard Drive
Iomega's fourth generation StorCenter Network Hard Drive brings many of the features found in higher-end storage devices down to an attractive price.

• MikroTik's The Dude
This free tool delivers many of the same capabilities that you'd find in pricey network monitoring tools. As long as you don't mind tinkering, The Dude is a decent network utility that should be worth the download.


Totally confused? Don't know how to decide?  Then follow this simple guide:

  • If you must have 100Mbps LAN speed and you can pull the cable, use Ethernet

  • If you have the rooms where you want your LAN to go already wired with phonejacks, and can live with 10Mbps performance, use HomePNA2.0/10Mbps adapters.

  • If you can't run cable and don't have phonelines already installed, and must have network access in a room, pull out your wallet and use 802.11b wireless.

A final word of caution

What if you already have a Ethernet LAN and are looking to use wireless or HomePNA for a few hard-to-reach locations?  Well, many of the products' software installers make a mess of your existing network settings, so you'll need to proceed with caution.  Check this page for more information. 

Links to helpful articles and relevant industry trade groups are found on this pageLet us know if you have something to add!


Industry Groups

You may want to visit industry organization's Web sites. Although it'll cost you for detailed specs, the sites usually have spec summaries and FAQ that are available for free, as well as links to self-promoting articles.

HomePNA logo Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (Home PNA)
WiFi logo Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA / WiFi]
HomeRF logo Home RF Working Group
Bluetooth SIG
HomePlug logo HomePlug Powerline Alliance
 






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