Most of the customers who visit my store are underutilizing their home network.  I would estimate that 90% of the people who setup networks don’t understand the potential that exists.  Commonly, a desktop computer and wireless laptop are the only devices people connect to their network.

At the heart of home networks is usually a wireless router.  Routers take the incoming signal from the internet provider and divide them to multiple computers.  Consumer grade routers have four wired ports and the ability to attach wireless devices.  Modern routers transmit using the N protocol which offers a larger radius of service and higher speeds than preceding technologies.

When properly configured, routers have the potential to connect many devices and interconnect many different technologies.  All new routers I have worked with offer at least modest levels of protection from outside intruders; providing adequate intrusion protection.

Probably the most unknown apparatus is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device.  As their name implies, NAS devices connect to the network and provide storage within the network.  Music, movies and pictures can be hosted directly from the NAS and can be viewed from anywhere in the house.  As well, resumes and documents can be shared across the network rather than moving them with a key drive.

Windows Home Server (WHS) is another little known operating system manufactured by Microsoft.  WHS can be installed on just about any computer and is used to automatically backup both Apple and Microsoft operating system based computers.  In order to function, a small utility must be installed on each machine.

Windows Media Center (WMC) used to be a big deal and was only available on higher end computers.  WMC is a standard feature in the most common versions of Windows 7 and allows users to easily enjoy media such as music, movies and pictures.  When connected to a network, WMC based computers can stream media directly off a Home Server or NAS.

Many homes already have Xbox systems and many already know their gaming system can be connected to their home network.  However, many people don’t know that Xbox systems can play media files hosted from Windows Media Center computers.  Setting up the service is a fairly straight forward process using a Microsoft’s web based setup process.

Traditionally, printers are connected to a desktop computer in the house and only that computer is setup to print.  Network and wireless printers offer the flexibility to print from any computer in the house.  Printing jobs are sent directly to the printer saving document transportation.

So, I’ve talked about all these neat things that may already exist in some people’s homes.  How they’re used and how they all tie together may perplex some.  I’m writing the article and I’ve baffled myself.  Don’t worry, when everything is finally connected it should all function seamlessly.

I setup a home network for a client of mine who wanted to have all her data (pictures, music, documents, and movies) on a NAS.  We connected her son’s Xbox to the television in his room and created a custom WMC computer for her main TV.  All the computers in the house were connected to a WHS in case of catastrophic failure.  She was able to print to one central printer; rather than maintaining three.

Properly networked homes can reduce the complex maintenance associated with having multiple computers and printers.  Although it may seem like a daunting project to tear apart a system that is already functional, taking advantage of new networked components can reduce downtime and increase productivity.

(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner.  You can text him at (978) 413-2840 or call him directly at (978) 919-8059.)