Wired and Wireless Networks Installed

One of the best improvements you can make to your home or small business is to install a computer network. A simple peer to peer Windows network will allow you to share a high speed Internet connection, files and printers easily between several different computers. A high speed cable, or DSL connection can typically be shared with 10 or more computers. The computers can be running the same, or different operating systems. They can also be a mix of different brands and speeds of computers.

The number of computers that a high speed Internet connection can support will vary depending on how you use your Internet connection, e.g. whether you do a lot of downloading, or simply use it to browse web pages. Most high speed Internet connections offer lots of spare bandwidth that goes wasted when only used with a single computer.

Please note: Your Internet Service Provider's monthly access fee will not increase if you share your existing service with additional computers by using a router. I can explain to you how and why this works. A router also increases the security of your network by way of network address translation or NAT for short. Most modern routers also have built-in hardware firewalls.

Here are some common situations where a computer network can make life easier:

• If your children are constantly fighting over who gets to use the computer and or Internet for home work. You should consider purchasing a second computer and sharing your Internet connection via a home network.
  
• If you own or operate a small business with multiple computers and have several employees that need to share files and Internet access. You should consider installing a high speed network to do it efficiently.
• If you share files by copying them to floppy disks, or CDs, then walk them back and forth between various computers in your home or office. This is known in the business as a sneaker-net. Instead of wearing out your sneakers, you should consider installing a local area network.
• If you can't afford a printer for every computer in your household or business (who can?). Consider sharing your existing printer(s) over a local area network accessible to all of your computers.
• A computer network can easily pay for itself through the increased productivity it provides and the savings in sharing existing hardware and Internet resources.
• If you own several computers, a network is the fastest most convenient means to backup your data. 
  

I can help you evaluate your network needs and advise you on whether to go with a wired, wireless, or a combination of the two systems. Typically if you only need Internet access, or want to share a printer, a wireless network is the least expensive way to go. On the other hand if you share a lot of files and printers, or want to pipe digital content throughout your home or business, a high speed wired network would offer more bandwidth and greater security.

Please call Bill Woelk at User Friendly Computers for a free home, or small business network installation estimate. If you prefer email see the link to the left. In the Detroit area please call: 248-585-9132

The above diagram illustrates a typical home or small business network.

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