Home Network Setup Guide/Tutorial

The internet has undoubtedly become the new mainstay of our society, having us entertained and informed. Whether you want to build a small home business with a wireless printer or stream movies, you must understand the basics of a home network setup.

The good news is that you do not have to be an expert in IT to do this. This post takes you through the best home network setup, how to set up a home network as well as how to set up home network Windows 10.

Choosing the Best Home Network Setup

Like having a mobile phone plan with multiple lines for each member of the family, a home network enables several users to be online at the same time, although wired and wireless networks operate on a different configuration. Let’s face it, life is no fun unless you can print your photos out from your iPhone while drinking coffee right?

A wired network will likely demand extra cables to connect devices to a central hub, which could result in logistical issues. Just remember that, based on the bandwidth, the more people sharing a single ISP connection, the more likely it is for its speed to slow down.

Wi-Fi Networks

Although both kinds of networks enable you to share files, including videos, photos and documents, a wireless network (WiFi) allows you to work without using extra cables or hardware.

Additionally, each person on the network can access wireless devices such as Wi-Fi enabled printers without a direct plug-in into additional equipment.

A wireless network is also a viable option if you plan on connecting Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as a printer, wireless camera or smart doorbell to the network without using any other hardware.

Wired Networks

Wired networks generally deliver much better connectivity over wireless networks, in cases where the distance from the internet access point can downgrade performance.

Also, note that wireless networks are more vulnerable to security issues and interference but offer a significant benefit in terms of mobility.

Powerline adapters offer and extension of your wired network using the actual electrical power lines inside of your home. This would be a guide in itself, however. Suffice to say, buying two Powerline adapters and plugging on in near your router and one in where you want an Ethernet (wired) connection, provides a wired connection to your router, and all of the benefits that affords.

The Best Home Network Setup?

Setting up your home network is quite easy and pretty well automated, using software and setup applications. The physical home network setup will vary slightly based on whether the system will be wireless or wired. The latter will demand running Ethernet cables from the central hub or broadband modem to each computer or between computers. Other little pieces of hardware for Ethernet identified as switches or hubs are often built in today’s broadband routers. Of course, there’s the Powerline adapter option, as mentioned above. The video below (courtesy of Linus Tech Tips) details a Powerline adapter, and how it works.

…a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) can be configured in a few different ways.

Generally, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) can be configured in a few different ways. The infrastructure model relies on a central hub through which all devices communicate. Peer-to-peer mode, on the other hand, permits wireless devices and computers to communicate with each other. The latter only allows sharing files between devices, while the former grants access to the printer, internet, Chromecast (streaming) devices and other devices on the network.

If opting for the wireless, you can choose between infrastructure mode or peer-to-peer mode on the Wi-Fi network adapter. If utilizing an access point or router, set every wireless adapter for infrastructure mode. You can as well share an internet connection in ad hoc mode, peer-to-peer, or using a computer as a hotspot. This works if using a few computers within a close space and may be helpful in the case of a router failure.

The majority of the work to set up the home network will be through the router using a web browser. The initial step after ensuring all power cords and cables are plugged in is to display the router’s interface on a web browser. The default URL for the interface would be printed somewhere on the router or stated in the device manual. Usually, it will be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.0. The default login information is required to access the webpage.

A setup wizard typically walks you through the configuration process of the router. This includes modifying the name of the network or SSID in wireless networks and choosing a password. The default settings, in most cases, will work for the home network.

How to Set Up a Homegroup Network in Windows 10

A more straightforward way of networking, a Homegroup in Windows 10 allows each Windows PC in the apartment share the stuff nearly everyone wants to share: photos, movies, music, and of course, the household printer.

Set up a Homegroup and Windows automatically begin sharing those things. The Homegroup cleverly excludes your Documents folder; the folder you naturally don‘t want to share.

1. Move the cursor over to the Start button, then Right-click and select Control Panel from the pop-up menu.
2. In the Control Panel window, tap the Network and Internet icon. Next, click HomeGroup option on the right pane.
3. When the Homegroup window appears, select the Change Network Location link, then tap the ‘Yes’ button in the pane displayed on the right side.
4. Click either the Join Now or Create a Homegroup button.

If you’re shown a Create a Homegroup button, select it to create a new Homegroup. If it is a Join Now button, then somebody must have already created a Homegroup on your network. Click the Join Now button to join it.

5. Select those items you would like to share and click ‘Next.’ To join an existing Homegroup, input the password of your network’s Homegroup.
6. If you use the Create a Homegroup button, write down or click the link to print the password stated at the closing screen.