![]() ![]() ![]() 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps devices can work on the same network with no additional effort or slowdown. Modern Ethernet switches, cards, and other hardware have auto-sensing, auto-switching ports: long gone is the need to have special patch cables or flip switches. If you want to use 10 Gbps Ethernet when that becomes affordable for home use, you can with Cat-6 cabling. Cat-6 has better insulation to protect against interference, and it’s designed for the long haul. You can pay a little less for Cat-5e, but it’s not worth the savings. Look for “Cat-6” cables, where the “Cat” means “category” and the “6” refers to a set of electrical specifications designed to allow for certain kinds of performance. For installing plugs in walls, I like double-sided wall plates that have a jack on either side. But because finished and tested Ethernet cables cost so little now, I prefer buying pre-made cables that I know have been tested to work-unlike those I made from scratch. I used to buy a box of Ethernet cable, cut it to length, and crimp RJ45 connectors onto the ends. If you have access to crawl spaces or an attic, or if you can drill through even a single wall, you can pull Ethernet cable. The wiring, switches, and other elements you need to build or extend an Ethernet network will likely cost only tens of dollars. EthernetĪll wired networking stems from Ethernet, a decades-old standard that’s affordable even in its gigabit flavor. When it comes to wires, you have three options, each with varying costs, availability, and installation hassles: Ethernet, powerline, and MoCA. It also gives you the option to plug in computers and streaming video boxes that need high throughput. That’s true in nearly all cases except mesh wireless networking, which can sometimes benefit from a wired network, too! Most of the time, connecting a broadband modem and Wi-Fi base stations with wires provides the best throughput. Connect the Network Dots with Cablesĭespite having focused much of my tech writing on wireless networking for over 20 years, I often find wired connections work best. If your Internet connection is as souped-up as you’re willing to pay for, let’s look at options to extend your home network and boost performance and coverage. Over the last few years, I negotiated my 1 Gbps service from CenturyLink from its initial monthly price of $155 down to $85 as the company lowered what it charged new customers and then was willing to drop my fees to match. You may also be able to call your provider and get a better plan or pricing by threatening to switch to a competitor. (See “ T-Mobile Offers Unlimited 5G Home Broadband Service,” 14 April 2021.) If you’re stuck at low double-digit speeds from an incumbent carrier, it might be time to look at new local wired and wireless competitors, like T-Mobile’s 4G/5G home broadband service in some markets. ![]() Your Wi-Fi network performance for Internet-based tasks is, of course, dependent on the speed of your Internet connection. Read on, however, if you’re not getting the performance and coverage you want or you’re not sure what steps to take to improve your networked life. If you’ve made it this far through the pandemic without cursing your home Wi-Fi, congratulations! You’re a rare bird, and you don’t need this article. Improve Your Home Wi-Fi with Mesh, Powerline, MoCA, or More Routers #1667: OS Rapid Security Responses, 1Password and 2FA, using Siri to request music.#1668: Updated Rapid Security Responses, OS public betas, screen saver bug fixed, “Red Team Blues” book review.#1669: OS security updates, ambiguity of emoji, small business payments with Melio, Twitter now X.#1670: Arc Web browser hits 1.0 release, “Do You Use It?” polls about Apple features.#1671: Apple Q3 2023 earnings, new Beats headphones and earbuds, Stage Manager adoption rate, do you use Spotlight?.If you wish for your flair to be changed, please message the mods and we'll be happy to change it for you. Proof of at least 6 month's history of posting in this subredditĪs a result of this, users are now no longer able to edit their own flair. Your highest level of industry certification, or highest IT related job title held in the last 5 years to a comment you made in the last 6 months, helping someone in the community To obtain trusted flair for your account please message the mods of /r/HomeNetworking with the following info Trusted user flair has been added as a means of verification that a user has a substantial knowledge of networking. Please flair your posts as Solved, Unsolved, or simply Advice. If you can't find what you're looking for with the search function please feel free to post a new question after reading the posting guidelines Please use the search function to look for keywords related to what you want to ask before posting since most common issues have been answered. ![]()
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