Mar 29, 2010 04:10 PM
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Today, we all have internet connection at home. Most of us use laptops from home to connect to office network via broadband internet. I have come across many people who have two laptops (couples working in IT) or you have an office laptop and have another PC/Laptop of your own at home. It so happens that many a times, you want to connect to office network to some urgent issue / business work, but your spouse / house member is already accessing internet from the other laptop / PC. And then the problem begins.
You can connect only one PC / Laptop to your broadband internet modem at one time. Moreover, if you have to connect a different laptop to your broadband internet then you need to call the helpdesk of your ISP and tell them that you want to now connect a different machine. And this is where the problem lies.
We are so used to the plug and play / Wi-Fi environment in the office that we expect the same to happen at home too. Most of us are not tech savvy or network savvy and we don’t know how to go about this problem. Well, there are various basically two solutions:
Install a LAN switch
Install a Wi-Fi Router
The first one is the cheapest solution. You can buy a LAN switch ranging from 600/- to 1800/- rupees either 4 port or 8 port switch depending on your requirements. It is easy to setup and install. At the same time it is very safe, no threat of someone intruding into your network. But, I see two major disadvantages, one is you have to buy the LAN cables of the desired length which will run from your switch to your laptops(s) or PC(s) and second you cannot move around with your Laptop while you are connected to internet since the LAN cable has to be plugged in always.
So the solution is to buy a Wi-Fi Router. There are various categories of Wi-Fi routers (G, N150, N, N+, etc). G is the basic category of routers, normally used for home purpose. These routers have less range (up to 500 feet). N category Wi-Fi routers have more range (1000 - 1200 feet) and are more robust, provide strong signal and can be used for both home and small office. Price range of Wi-Fi routers starts from rupees 1500/- up to 10, 000/- and more.
Linksys WRT 120N is an excellent Wi-Fi router. You can buy it for rupees 3200/- You need to first run the CD provided in the pack and just follow the instructions. It is really very easy to setup and install this router. You then need to setup the password so as to provide security for your Wi-Fi network. No one can access your Wi-Fi network unless he knows the password. Do not forget to change the password for the home page of your router. The range of this router is amazing. I have a 800 SqFt apartment and I have placed my router in my living room. I get excellent signal throughout my house. The speed is also very good. I suggest that you place the Wi-Fi router at the center of your house so that the router covers your entire house and you get good connectivity from any corner of your house.
To sum up all the above, I would rate this router a 5 on 5. A piece of advice to you is having a little patience while installing this router helps. You might want to restart your laptop if the installation is stuck. Nothing extra ordinary has to be done. The installation is very simple. And last but not least, do not forget to change the password of your router home page. Happy networking.
-Harsh K
