Wireless Networking Buying Guide CNET Reviews
With so many possible ways to build a network, it pays to home in on the solution that best suits your needs before you buy. These user profiles will start you off in the right direction.
Home network
You can get ample bandwidth for sharing a broadband Internet connection without spending much. Even the slowest wireless gear is several times faster than cable or DSL. You may prefer to buy a kit that includes all of the basic networking gear, but you can also buy the components separately and connect them together. Exactly what you need will depend on how many systems you want to connect and where they are located.
Home-office network or telecommuter
If you use your home as an office, you need a robust network with reliable security. Wireless routers typically offer some protection, but a software firewall can provide an additional safeguard for your data. If you need to access your network from remote locations on business trips, you may even want to invest in a hardware VPN (virtual private network) firewall so that you can securely access your home network over the Internet.
Online gaming and entertainment
If you want to be able to transfer large files over the network while streaming audio from a computer to your stereo or if you like to play bandwidth-intensive, multiplayer games, set your sights on a high-bandwidth solution, such as Ethernet, 802.11a, or dual band.
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