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Network standards at a glance

802.11n: The standard that's not here yet

The yet-to-be finalized 802.11n standard (also known as Wireless-N)is based on MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) technology, which takes advantage of multiple data streams. Nonetheless, this standard is getting more and more popular, especially since the WiFi Alliance rolled out a WiFi Certified program in 2000. The certification guarantees that all certified wireless products from different vendors work well with one another. Most of the major networking vendors offer routers and adapters based on Draft 2.0 of the spec, which requires interoperability among vendors, adherence to the latest security schemes, and backward compatibility with previous generations of Wi-Fi equipment (802.11b and 802.11g, for example). Wireless-N is now available in both 2.4Ghz frequency and 5Ghz frequency, dual-band routers can offer signal in these two bands, some can even do that simultaneously.

Thought the 802.11n has not yet been finalized, 802.11n-class hardware is still getting more and more popular and might eventually replace the 802.11g soon. you can buy them with confident and the prices have come down significantly. You can easily find a Wireless-N router for less than $100. It's getting so affordable that we don't see why you shouldn't get one. Our testing has shown that while 802.11n is indeed faster than older wireless standards, it's still not quite as fast as its rated speed of 300Mbps, however, this is normal. If you have many connected systems, intend to stream HD video with other concurrent network activity, or if you need to provide wireless access over a wide area, then 802.11n is definitely a must-have.

D-Link DGL-4500 GamerLounge Xtreme N Gaming Router

802.11g

The 802.11g standard is currently the most popular Wi-Fi standard for hotspot and mobile devices such as smartphone. However it's being replaced slowly by Wireless-N. 802.11g is the successor to 802.11b, but it is backward-compatible with 802.11b as well. The two standards operate at the same frequency (2.4GHz). With the theoretical throughput of 54Mbps, 802.11g delivers four times the throughput of 802.11b. 802.11g used to be the de facto home network standard for a few years till Wireless-N came a long. As it's been widely adopted, the price of 802.11g products has fallen significantly, making it a cost-effective choice for public hotspots. Compared to Wireless-N standard, the downsides to 802.11g include much lower throughput speed, shorter range and the fact that it is much more prone to interference. Example of home devices that would interfere with the 802.11g standard include cordless phones, baby monitors, microwave ovens, and Bluetooth radios.

Asus WL-700gE Storage Router

HomePlug

Power-line gear may be the best-kept secret in home networking. Though overshadowed by Wi-Fi, power-line networking (also known by the Powerline Alliance's name of HomePlug) is a good solution either as an alternative to wireless or as a way to extend a wireless network to the far reaches of a home. Power-line devices use your home's electrical wiring to connect a digital network. The two HomePlug standards are 1.0 and AV. HomePlug AV is the more recent of the two and addresses quality of service issues that are important for transmitting high-def video content. HomePlug adapters are fast enough for streaming audio-video content and online gaming, not to mention e-mail and Web surfing; we recently clocked several vendors' offerings at over 30Mbps of actual sustained speed (the theoretical speed could get to 200Mbps). The power-line solution is also a great way of connecting wireless access points in a large house or building. Keep in mind that this solution isn't cheap: each adapter costs roughly $100, and you'll need at least 2 to start.

Linksys PLK200 PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Kit

Bluetooth

Bluetooth offers more flexibility than Wi-Fi but on a smaller scale. Its throughput is a pokey 700Kbps, and its range is just a couple of dozen feet, but devices with a Bluetooth radio and an antenna can speak to each other with little or no preparation. Meeting attendees can immediately transfer files across a conference table using their Bluetooth-equipped notebooks, or they can send a file to a Bluetooth-equipped printer without downloading drivers. Bluetooth is fast becoming standard equipment on many cell phones, laptops, and other devices. There's even talk of putting Bluetooth into home appliances. But for all the theoretical benefits of Bluetooth, the reality is that it's currently a mess of incompatible hardware and software. Because Bluetooth operates at 2.4GHz, it is subject to the same interference problems as 802.11b and 802.11g.

The Aliph Jawbone 2 Bluetooth headset

Ethernet

Nothing tops Ethernet for speed and reliability, and Ethernet also has the advantage of being a lot cheaper to deploy than power line or any flavor of wireless. Most computers already have Ethernet adapters built in, but unfortunately, most homes do not. Still, if you are after high bandwidth, it's worth considering pulling Ethernet cable through your home. Even if you decide not to cable your home for Ethernet, you might find that an Ethernet hub or switch is a good complement to your wireless network. In fact, almost all wireless routers come with a four-port Ethernet switch built in, some even offer Gigabit Ethernet that's 10x faster than the regular Ethernet.

Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Firewall Router with 4-port Switch/VPN Endpoint

Older standards

Standalone 802.11a and 802.11b hardware has become obsolete over past years; in fact, it can be hard to find in brick-and-mortar stores, which stock mostly 802.11n and 802.11g devices. Because the newer wireless standards have become so affordable and have superior performance, we wouldn't recommend that you buy any new 802.11b or 802.11a hardware anymore, presuming you can even find any. Still, if you have any legacy wireless hardware lying around, it's worthwhile to know something about it.

802.11b

802.11b gear operates at 2.4GHz and offers a real-world throughput of around 5Mbps at close range. In a typical indoor environment, without a lot of metal, 802.11b equipment can generally maintain a solid connection up to about 150 feet. It is also fully compatible with the faster 802.11g standard. The weaknesses of 802.11b are its comparatively low throughput and the potential for interference with other gadgets that share the 2.4GHz band, such as cordless phones, security radios, and microwaves.

802.11b facts
• Better range than 802.11a products
• More than adequate throughput for broadband sharing at around 5Mbps
• Slower than 802.11a and 802.11g
• Broad compatibility
• Low cost
• Subject to interference from other 2.4GHz devices
• Only three nonoverlapping channels

802.11a

The 802.11a standard has a couple of advantages over the more prevalent 802.11g. It runs at a less populated frequency (5.15GHz to 5.35GHz), making it less prone to interference, and its practical throughput is about four times greater than that of 802.11b, typically clocking in at around 22Mbps. This gives it a lot more elbowroom than 802.11b for streaming digital audio and video or transferring large files over the network, with bandwidth left over for Internet sharing. Some manufacturers offer proprietary turbo modes that can push throughput even higher. 802.11a's downside is its shorter range. Because 802.11g and 802.11a operate at different frequencies, they can't talk directly to one another, which is why if you have an 802.11a adapter, you cannot connect to most hot spots. Another weakness is the increased power drain of the 5GHz radio, as compared to its 2.4GHz counterparts.

802.11a facts
• Great throughput at around 22Mbps or higher
• Operates at 5GHz
• Low risk of interference from other devices
• Eight nonoverlapping channels
• Higher cost than that of 802.11b and 802.11g

Routers

Routers act as the gateway between your broadband connection (DSL or cable modem) and your home network. Wireless routers come in various configurations, but most are amalgamations of a four-port wired Ethernet switch and a wireless access point. As the name implies, these devices route traffic between your network and the Internet. Most include built-in DHCP servers that automatically assign the right IP address information to each computer on your local-area network, or LAN. A separate WAN, or wide-area network, interface on the router connects your entire home or office network to your broadband modem, allowing you to share your Internet connection through the router. Most routers also have firewall capabilities, and some include more advanced security features. Some routers even have an integrated cable or DSL modem, eliminating your need for two separate devices.

Access points

Wireless access points let you add wireless networking capability to a standalone wired router. You can also use them to extend the range of your current wireless network. There are as many types of access points as there are networking standards, up to and including 802.11n. Wireless access points do not offer the rich feature set and the high configurability of most routers because they are designed to add a wireless extension to your network and not to play the role of a central gateway. (Keep in mind that many wireless broadband routers incorporate an access point already.) Nevertheless, access points do typically include some security features, such as encryption. If you're looking into an access point to add wireless networking to a wired-only router, be sure to confirm that the cost of the access point is less than that of a brand-new router with wireless capability built in.

Adapters

An adapter connects your computer or your PDA to a network. If your computer doesn't already have the adapter that you need built in, you can add one. (Most new laptops nowadays have a 802.11g or 802.11n built in.) As with access points, there are as many types of adapters as there are networking standards--draft 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, dual band, and Bluetooth--and each type comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including PC Cards, PCI and mini-PCI, USB, CompactFlash, and SD. Some wireless adapters are decked out with special features, such as retractable or removable antennae, encryption support, or connection-monitoring software. Before making your purchase, always confirm that the adapter is compatible with your operating system. If you plan to use an adapter at work, you should also check to ensure that it is compatible with any encryption schemes in use, such as LEAP or WPA.

Switches and hubs

Ethernet is the glue that holds together most networks. It's fast and cheap, and it is integrated into just about everything. If you need to expand your network, an Ethernet hub or switch can come in very handy since most desktops and notebooks include a built-in Ethernet adapter. Accordingly, most wireless broadband routers come with a three- or four-port Ethernet switch built in, allowing you to connect to the router via a fast, wired Ethernet connection. Switches and hubs perform similar functions, but switches can handle multiple simultaneous users without any significant decrease in network throughput.

Repeaters

As a digital signal travels down a cable or through the air, it gradually gets weaker. To get the signal to go farther, you need a device that can pick it up, then send it off again at full strength. Repeaters do just this. Repeaters are easy to confuse with bridges, and in fact, some access points and bridges include a repeater mode that allows the device to receive a signal from another access point and repeat it to adapters or other access points within its range. However, some bridges are capable only of talking to other bridges. Look carefully at the feature set to see if the product you are considering offers a repeater mode.

Buffalo WLA-G54C wireless repeater bridge

Wireless bridges

A bridge connects two or more wireless networks in a large home, across the street, or across campus. Bridges attach networks together either through point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connections. Not long ago, bridges were expensive high-end products, but now you can find consumer bridges at very reasonable prices. Unfortunately, this technology varies based on the chipset and the firmware, so bridges tend to work only with other bridges of the same type and model. Before you lay down your cash, make sure that the bridges you're considering will work together.

Linksys WET54G

Power-line bridges

A power-line bridge can take your wireless network into places it might not otherwise be able to penetrate. For example, you may have a room with a wall that is covered with metal shelving. This would probably put it outside the reach of your wireless router. However, you can use a pair of power-line bridges to connect your router to an access point via your electrical wiring, which lets you add wireless connectivity even to those hard-to-reach areas. You can buy power-line bridges with both USB and Ethernet interfaces, so make sure you get the right interface for the device you intend to connect it to.

Linksys Instant PowerLine USB adapter

Basic security features

The first step to securing your network is to use the standard features that are built into your gear. Many networking devices come with security features that will protect your network against hacker attacks. If you are buying a broadband router, look for one with a NAT firewall and MAC address filtering. NAT firewalls conceal your network behind the router, and MAC address filtering allows you to grant or deny access to your network to specific machines. NAT usually runs automatically and requires no configuration. MAC address filtering requires you to enter the MAC addresses of the computers you want to allow or deny. Wireless-networking devices typically include WEP or WPA encryption. Both forms of encryption help protect your network, but WPA is much more secure than WEP. To implement WEP or WPA, you'll need to enter an encryption key on all of the wireless devices on your network; the product user manual typically includes a detailed explanation of how to do this.

Things to consider about basic security features
• Do you have a NAT firewall between the Internet and your network?
• Have you enabled MAC address filtering?
• Have you enabled WPA or WEP encryption for your wireless clients?

Antivirus software

A home or office network makes it easy for you to share files between computers, but that also makes it easier for viruses and worms to wind their way through your computers. Fortunately, you can immunize your computers with antivirus software. Antivirus software detects and eradicates viruses before they have a chance to spread. If you plan to connect your network to the Internet, antivirus software is a must.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7

Software firewalls

When you open an e-mail message, an e-mail server somewhere on the Internet is sending the data to a certain port on your computer. A Web server uses a different port on your computer to send you a Web page, and an instant messenger yet another to send you a message. These are software ports, so you can't see them, but trust us, they're there. A firewall manages the data traffic coming to and flowing from your computer on specific ports--sometimes allowing data to get through, sometimes blocking it, and other times asking you if you want to permit a connection that is about to be opened. Most firewalls include a general set of rules about what is and what is not allowed, others may allow you to set your own rules.

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7

Hardware firewalls

Many routers come with hardware firewalls built-in. If yours doesn't have one, you should purchase a separate hardware firewall device.>

A hardware firewall works the same way as a software firewall but has certain other advantages. Whereas a software firewall must be installed on each computer in your network, a hardware firewall centralizes the control of connections between your network and the Internet, so you can be sure that all of the machines on your network are playing by the same rules. Hardware firewalls also use their own processors for port filtering and encryption tasks, which means that there is little or no resource drain on the computers in your network, giving you better overall performance. Some firewalls also allow you to set up VPN connections from the Internet to your personal LAN, providing you with a secure way to access your computers while you're on the road.

Netgear FWG114P ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Firewall with USB Print Server

Digital audio streamers

Digital audio is everywhere--from gigabytes of MP3s stored on your computer's hard drive to Internet radio stations and subscription music services. But the challenge has always been to get the music from your computer to the stereo system. That's where digital audio streamers come in. While they're known by a variety of names--including digital audio receivers and digital media adapters--these products let you enjoy a wide range of digital music from your PC or the Internet over the big speakers of your home stereo, even if it's in a different room of the house. The streaming methods vary--some use a home network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi), others use plug-in transmitters and receivers--and most (but not all) models are still bedeviled by pesky DRM and copy-protection issues, so make sure your prospective player can handle your preferred audio file or subscription service.

Logitech Squeezebox Duet

Network video streamer

Digital media is great, but who wants to watch everything while hunched over a computer when you have a comfy couch in front of your home theater system? That's where network video streamers come in, enabling you to stream digital videos, music, and photos over your home network, from your computer to your living room. Network video streamers are growing fast as a product category, but the list of recommendable products is still small--there just aren't that many reliable devices on the market. And if you have either a PlayStation 3, a Wii, or an Xbox 360, all of those devices can stream video across your network as well (the Wii via a third-party download).

Apple TV

Wireless gaming

All of the current gaming consoles (and some of the older ones as well) offer some degree of online play and content downloads. Some can even stream content from a computer to your television. Of the three current gaming consoles, the Nintendo Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 both come with built-in wireless networking adapters. Microsoft's Xbox 360 comes with a built-in Ethernet jack, but you have to spend an extra $99 for the wireless adapter accessory. Considering that those game consoles often live in your living room, we encourage you to eliminate as many wires as possible.

Nintendo Wii