What are the Best Tips for Home Network Wiring?

For the busy family on the go or the home business owner, having access to networked technology has made it easier than ever before to enjoy the freedom of communicating and using computers, mobile devices and electronic peripherals in any room of the house simultaneously. It also requires being able to set up a home network that operates correctly and reliably. There are some important tips to keep in mind when setting up home network wiring.

It’s always best to start with identifying the areas in which computers and mobile devices will be operating for most of the time before setting up home network wiring. This is important since it will determine where a central home network station will need to be located and how many feet of cabling and other equipment will be needed. Also consider how accessible this network wiring will need to be should any trouble-shooting need to be performed in the future. Many choose to place their home network wiring neatly in a closet, under floorboards, or in a utility area of the home so that it can be managed, but still out of sight.

The second aspect of setting up home network wiring is carefully evaluating the types of electronic devices that will be accessing this network. There may be some devices which will need to be connected directly to the cabling while others may be able to connect wirelessly through routers. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions that come with each device to determine what special equipment or adapters may be needed to connect fully to your home network.

Another consideration when setting up a home network is the security of the system once it is fully installed. The network itself should be password protected through a firewall and anti-theft service and it should be hooked to a backup battery source connected to an anti-surge device. In addition, your home network should be set up on a central server which is contained in a secure area of the home. It is never advisable to have this server out in the open where it can be exposed to access by unauthorized parties or become damaged due to electrical surges, outages, or dust and debris.

When setting up the home network wiring, it’s best to use a clear system of organizing and labeling each cable and other equipment that is connected to the wires, such as routers or communication boxes, into a clear network configuration. Use a piece of plywood and lay out the wires, cables and equipment. This plywood can then be mounted securely with screws before placing it up onto the wall of your station area. This will be useful when trouble-shooting or making changes to the home network later on.