Wired network basics Video

Wired network basics Video Transcript

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>> Going wireless maybe all the rage but sometimes when you use the fastest and most reliable connection possible, only a wired network will do. I'm Randall Benett for CNET.com and on the Insider Secret, we go behind the scenes of wired networks. ^M00:00:12 [ Music ] ^M00:00:26

>> There are a couple of big reasons to use a wired network. If you're looking for speed, reliability and maximum compatibility, a wired network will do things a wireless network just can't. Wired network is gonna as fast as one gigabit per second where as even fastest wireless network the Draft-N Wi-Fi standards only gets around 75 megabits per second--the absolute most. We got a few tips for people looking to build up a wired network. First, pick a right type of hardware. The essential point of every wired network especially to a device like this, the most basic device, a hub, simply plugs cables together and repeats their signals attached to every device. You have to do all to configuring like network addresses and protocols yourself. So we recommend you step up to the next step, a home router. Home routers will do all the configurations for you. So you simply plug into the port labeled internet and then plug in the other computers to the wired network and you're all set to go. Of course, most home routers come with WiFi's, see you always got the option to go wireless if you like. The only caution for buying hubs and routers is speed. Almost every modern hub or router will be configured to a 100-megabit Ethernet but if you're speed demons climbing and moving around the home, you wanna make sure that you get the gigabit internet connection. If you got network cards that can support it, gigabit Ethernet will move the files around your house the fastest way possible. Tip number two. Most cables are actually created equal. Instead of having the Circuit City or Best Buy to pick of a ready-made expensive cable, see if you can find a local computer shop that will give you cable for cheaper. If their network cable looks like this, chances are, it will work with your home network. If you wiring up your home network yourself, if you wanna prove to yourself, go for a category 6 network cable--that cable should work for the next generation of power that hasn't even been developed yet but for the most part, a 25-foot network cable should only cost you about 10 or 20 dollars whereas the big bucks retailers might add you for up to 50. Tip number three. Ethernet alternatives. Traditional wire Ethernet networking maybe the most tried and true method for connecting computers together, but if you want the reliability of a wired network without all the mess, think about small alternatives. We like power line networking options for one. Let's say you've got a computer in a remote location away from all your other devices, instead of running a real long cable from one side of the house to the other, plug-in one of these devices to your hub and then the other in a remote location and you got a network connection about laying down any extra wires. This worked with any modern power wiring in the home and [inaudible] for them in past in their own homes. [ Background Music ]

>> If you're looking for more tips and tricks on clearing a wireless network, we got to get goggle it over at cnettv.com for referral. I'm Randall Bennett for CNETTV.com, see you later. [ Music ]