Systems - Networking

Photo courtesy of Belden Electronics

OVERVIEW

In the old days of computing, each monitor used its own modem line, its own printer and its own disk drive. The recent proliferation of networking systems in homes has completely erased the lines of demarcation. By installing a system of high-speed cabling into a home, you can share files and peripherals. With a high-speed Internet connection, Web pages whiz into the PC at rates 10 times faster than a normal telephone wire can handle. Much like the networking systems used in commercial settings, these residential structured-wiring systems are one of the hottest commodities in new-home features. Nearly 40 percent of homebuilders now offer high-speed networking systems to homeowners, says research firm Parks Associates. But networking impacts more than PC workstations. Over this bundle of cabling (typically consisting of two runs of RG-6 coaxial cabling and two runs of Category 5e or Category 6 communications/ Ethernet wiring), music from a single entertainment system can be distributed to speakers throughout the house, video from one DVD player and one cable box can be accessed from every TV, and multiple incoming telephone lines can be shared among all telephones.

PLANNING ISSUES

What You Need to Consider
Outlet locations, PCs, stereo gear, telephones and other equipment join a wiring network by plugging into special (multimedia) outlets that consolidate telephone jacks, data jacks and cable connectors into a single housing. Naturally, you'll need to decide in which rooms your wiring installer should install these outlets. Our recommendation: Install a multimedia outlet anywhere you would an electrical outlet. Since each multimedia outlet can be configured to house a combination of different connectors, you'll need to determine what kinds of equipment will likely be used at each outlet location.

Broadband Subscription: A home installed with high-speed wiring can leverage the speed of a broadband Internet connection. Every PC in the house -- not just one -- can enjoy faster download speeds than a typical dial-up connection offers. A monthly subscription to a broadband service costs anywhere from $29 to $60, depending on the location and level of service.

Hub Size: To keep the flow of data, voice and video signals organized, your wiring installer/low-voltage contractor will mount a metal box somewhere inside your house. All cabling will terminate at this one "hub." Inside this hub your installer will mount performance "modules." Each module handles a certain task, such as PC networking, video distribution or audio distribution. Request a hub that's large enough to house a variety of modules -- even those you may not want today.

Wireless Networking: Low-voltage wiring is only one type of highway over which information can pass throughout a home. Some networking systems (also called structured-wiring systems) also include wireless networking capabilities. This means that a laptop computer, Web-enabled cellphone or other type of wireless Internet-enabled device can join the network without having to be plugged into a phone jack or data jack.

Add-Ons

Performance Modules: The beauty of a networking system is that it is modular. This means that you can buy just the wiring now, then add functions (PC networking, sharing telephone lines between all telephones, etc.) to the system by purchasing separate modules. Each module is installed inside the hub.
DSL or Cable Modem: Many manufacturers of networking systems (also called structured-wiring systems) incorporate cable or DSL modems into their hubs (usually as an optional upgrade). The inclusion of a high-speed "broadband" modem into a networking system not only grants multiple PCs access to broadband services, but enables non-PC devices such as Webpads, stereo systems and home control systems to also receive broadband content.

A Gateway: About the size of a shoebox, a gateway can significantly enhance the functionality of a networking system. Without a gateway, your home needs a host of boxes to filter video, telephone and Internet services into the home. A gateway is one box that can receive and disseminate all types of information. Later, software can be downloaded into a gateway by electrical utilities, broadband providers, and telephone companies to prepare the home for new features. A utility that offers security services, for example, might mail its customers a basic security camera to install on a home's front porch. At the same time, the utility remotely configures the gateway so that you can dial in from any modem to view scenes captured by the camera. What's more, many gateways incorporate wireless networking technologies to enable wireless devices in your home, such as laptop computers and Web-enabled cellphones to join a home network.