A Network Of One’s Own (NAPSA)—Increasingly, Inter- net users are discovering a bothersome problem and an intriguing solution. As home Internet use grows in popularity, the ability to “share” a broadband Internet connection among multiple computers is increasingly important. A solution is to install a local area network (LAN). For many homeowners the mere idea conjures up visions of difficulty, frustration and outrageous expense. Fortunately, installing and maintaining a home networkis easier and less expensive than many might think. For example, NETGEAR, one of the industry’s largest providers of wired and wireless networking solutions for home and small office users can help you establish a simple LAN for around $100 to $200 andoffers a wide variety of flexible costeffective and easy-to-install networkingsolutions. First, you have to decide which technology is best for you: Ethernet—the “traditional” networking standard connecting desktop or laptop computers to hubs, switches, routers, or other computers. Data speed is typically up to 100Mbps. Wireless—users establish a LAN wirelessly through an access point or wireless router. Client computers connect through a variety of wireless adapters. Access points plug into an existing network to allow wireless access to that network. Wireless routers plug into the broadband modem to establish a wireless network. Data transfer rates may reach 11Mbps. Phone line—uses existing phone wires in a homeoroffice to connect computers to the network. Manyfamilies find a home network can be easytoinstall and a good way to work out who gets to go online. Phoneline networksutilize special routers and network interface adapters to establish a LAN through standard phone jacks. Maximum data transfer speed is 1OMbps. Powerline—a very new technology lets users plug into standard poweroutlets and easily establish a LAN using the building’s existing electrical lines and wall sockets. As with phoneline networking, each computer requires a special device. Data speed is around LOMbps. Once you decide what you want, NETGEAR makes it easy for you to install your LAN using powerful “Smart Set-Up Wizard” software that automatically detects your Internet connection and 24/7 technical support. The company’s Web site, http://www.netgear.com/go/howto, offers information on how to establish a network and even provides a product selector to help you determine exactly what equipment you need andoffers a shopping list so you can order the equipment. NETGEAR’s products are available at leading retailers nationwide.
