Introduction to home networking
When it comes to fast, reliable connectivity, fiber internet is a great choice. It uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data at 125,00 miles per second, roughly 70 percent of the speed of light.
With a 100 Mbps fiber internet, you can:
- Share the internet with multiple devices at once. Your family can work from home, watch 4K content, and play video games simultaneously without affecting each other’s connection speeds.
- Back up your entire hard drive to the cloud in minutes.
- Download a 2-hour HD film in seconds.
Fiber-optic cables also have low latency, which means they don’t lose much of their signal over long distances. If you’ve ever experienced unexpected buffering in the middle of an online meeting, you know how important low latency can be.
The components of a home network
The equipment you use can be as important as your connection speed. Fiber-optic cables transmit information as pulses of light. Before they reach your home, devices called optical network terminals turn that information into electrical signals that your devices can understand. Several factors can affect the performance of your home network:
- A modem connects your home network to your internet service provider (ISP).
- Switches connect multiple devices to your home network. They increase available bandwidth and improve network performance.
- A wireless router can connect multiple switches to your WiFi and ethernet-connected devices. To connect your whole home, you need both a modem and either a router or a switch. ISPs often provide customers with modem/router combinations called gateways.
- The Ethernet cables you use can affect internet speeds. If you have a 100 megabit per second (100Mbps) fiber connection, for example, you need a cable to match it. Using a 40Mbps cable could significantly slow your home network’s performance.
- Wireless access points (WAPs) allow WiFi devices to connect to your wired network. Depending on where you put your router, you may need a WAP to extend the reach of your network.
Planning your local area network
Once you understand the basics, you can configure a home network setup that works best for your household.Assess your home network needs
Quantum Fiber internet offers speeds up to 940 Mbps, though you may not need that much. If you’re working from home, ask yourself: Are you frequently on video calls? Do you have to send and receive large data files on a regular basis?
50Mbps is a good baseline for HD videoconferencing, but it’s just a starting point. How many connected devices will be running at the same time? If someone in your family is an online gamer, will they be playing while you’re working? Or watching 4K (UHD) movies on streaming? If so, that puts greater demands on your home network.
Take our home internet assessment quiz to determine what works for you and your family. The FCC also provides a helpful Household Broadband Guide.
Don’t forget to think about your future needs. Do you want to control devices like your doorbell, thermostat, cameras, or appliances from your phone? If you plan to add smart home components, you may eventually need more bandwidth.
What is a smart home?
41 percent of all connected homes have at least three smart devices. If your home has a smart TV, a streaming stick, or an internet-connected alarm system or thermostat, then you already live in a smart home.
We now have smart refrigerators, smart coffee makers, and even smart mattresses. They’re not just convenient; they can save you a lot of money, too. A programmable smart thermostat could even help you save up to 10 percent on your heating and cooling bills.
If you’re thinking about making the transition to a smarter home, you might want to opt for larger bandwidth. Quantum Fiber’s 360 WiFi network is a great way to keep your smart devices connected.
Learn more about the features that go into making a smart home.
Consider your budget
It feels great to drive a high-performance car. That doesn’t mean we need a Formula One racer for a quick trip to the grocery store. You don’t need to pay for the fastest internet speed if you’re only using a fraction of your available bandwidth. You can take the Quantum Fiber speed need quiz to determine what you and your family really need.
Look into special offers from your internet service provider, like Quantum Fiber’s Price for Life program. Price for Life allows customers to keep their internet service monthly rate for as long as they keep their plan. Internet service rate is subject to continued plan availability. Also look out for local, state, and federal programs that offer discounts on internet service to qualified applicants. (For example, veterans and seniors may be eligible for special discounts.)
Learn more about steps you can take to lower your internet bill.
Setting up your home network
You’ve made a plan; now it’s time to implement it. Your internet connection will likely enter your home through an outside wall. If it’s near the majority of your connected devices, you may want to consider an Ethernet connection through a switch connected to your modem.
If you’re using a separate WiFi router, put it in a location with as few obstacles as possible.
- Find a central location. A hallway or main room is ideal.
- Use an open area. Try to keep your router away from walls, furniture, or appliances (like microwaves) that can affect your signal. Even neighbors’ home networks can sometimes interfere with your WiFi.
- Place it higher up. For a stronger signal, place your router higher up on a shelf or wall.
Your router doesn’t have to shoulder the burden alone. If you need to augment your WiFi, consider setting up a mesh network of WAPs like Quantum Fiber’s 360 WiFi.
Securing your home network
Cybercrime is on the rise. Just last year, identity theft affected 353 million people in the U.S. No matter what you use your home network for, there’s a good chance you’re sending sensitive data through your internet connection.
Take these steps to make your connection as secure as possible:
- Make sure your WiFi network and router are password-protected. Strong passwords make it harder for hackers to get to your information.
- Create a guest network. You can give someone else access to your home network without giving them your password. Most modern routers have a guest mode that gives guest users their own separate password. Guest mode also allows others to use your connection without giving them access to your devices.
- Add two-factor authentication to your home network. The most popular two-factor authentication measures require a sign-in with both a password and a code delivered to your phone.
- Update your firmware regularly. To stay ahead of security threats, device manufacturers release regular updates to their operating systems. Many updates install automatically, but check your devices to make sure.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A virtual private network, or VPN, is an advanced security measure that encrypts the data sent between your computer and your network. VPNs are especially useful if you use any of your devices on unsecured networks outside the home. (For example, if you take your laptop to a coffee shop.)
What’s next in home networking?
WiFi 7 is the next major generation of WiFi technology, It offers WiFi speeds eight times faster than those available with WiFi 6. To take full advantage of WiFi 7 speeds, make sure your devices can handle the increased capacity.
Create a home network that feels like home
Everyone’s home network setup is different. What works for one household might not work for yours. With a little planning, you can create the perfect solution for you and your family. Explore the options available in your area from Quantum Fiber t o learn more.Content Disclaimer - All content is for informational purposes only, may require user’s additional research, and is provided “as is” without any warranty, condition of any kind (express or implied), or guarantee of outcome or results. Use of this content is at user’s own risk. All third-party company and product or service names referenced in this article are for identification purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with Quantum Fiber. If Quantum Fiber products and offerings are referenced in the content, they are accurate as of the date of issue. Quantum Fiber services are not available everywhere. Quantum Fiber service usually means 100% fiber-optic network to your location but, in limited circumstances, Quantum Fiber may need to deploy alternative technologies coupled with a non-fiber connection from a certain point (usually the curb) to your location in order to provide the advertised download speeds. ©2024 Q Fiber, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Quantum, Quantum Fiber and Quantum Fiber Internet are trademarks of Quantum Wireless LLC and used under license to Q Fiber, LLC.
