Enjoy the Convenience of a Wireless Network
Peer-to-peer networks are the simplest way to share an internet connection, files, and printers
across mutiple computers in your home or office. When the time comes to create a network you must
decide whether you want to setup a wired or wireless network, or a combination of both.
Wired networks offer higher speeds at 100 or 1000 Mbps and are ideal when you must
transfer large amounts of data often. However, with wired networks the number of computers
connected is limited by the number of ports on your hubs or switches. Equipment with more ports
will inevitably be more expensive, and you may need to purchase additional equipment to accommodate more
computers in the future. You must also consider the cost and inconvenience of running cable to each
workstation.
In contrast, a simple wireless hub sufficient for use in a home or small business costs under $100 and
typically has the capacity to connect 256 wireless devices, including laptops and wireless handheld computers.
Most wireless routers include some wired ports as well, but inexpensive adapters allow even desktop systems
to connect wirelessly. The typical speed for a wireless network is 54Mbps, several times faster than most
broadband internet connections.
Wireless Protection
Wireless routers come equipped with hardware firewalls, a simple but effective way to protect your systems
from intruders. A hacker will only be able to attack the router itself. The rest of your network is shielded,
essentially invisible to the outside world.
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