Imagine playing some music on your laptop, while your kids enjoy cartoons on the telly, all of which is being streamed off the PC that's sitting in your bedroom.
Imagine playing some music on your laptop, while your kids enjoy cartoons on the telly, all of which is being streamed off the PC that's sitting in your bedroom. Going wireless is simpler than you think. Ashutosh Desai helps you pick the right gear that'll turn your home into a wire-free zone...
Wireless security
Setting up a wireless router is fairly easy if you follow the instructions that come with the device. Still, if you're not confident about setting up a router, take the help of a techie friend, or your internet service provider.
Password protection: You wouldn't want anybody to mooch off your internet connection. Restrict access to your network by using WPA2 encryption and changing the default router password.
Prevent misuse: You can also protect your network from misuse with the help of parental controls and bandwidth monitoring tools.
Guest login: Create an alternative login for guests. It's safer, and smarter.
Firewall: Some routers include a firewall, providing blanket protection to all the devices on the network from possible hack attacks.
Wireless router
This piece of hardware is essential to going wireless. It allows devices with built-in Wi-Fi - laptops, smartphones, tablets, and e-book readers - to connect to the internet without the need for cables. Now depending on the type of your connection, you will need...An ADSL router: If you use your telephone line for internet access, you will need to invest in such a router. You can also get this router from your service provider (MTNL or BSNL) for a small fee.
Non-ADSL: For other connections, like if your service provider is your local cable operator, then you will need a non-ADSL router. These routers take input from the RJ45 connector that you would generally attach to the network port on your desktop PC.
Benefits
Internet sharing: A wireless router allows multiple users - with Wi-Fi-enabled devices - to share a single internet connection.
Sharing data over Wi-Fi: If the router has a USB port, you will be able to share the contents of a flash drive or portable hard drive with other Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the network. Some routers even allow printers to be shared via its USB port. [You will need to refer to the router's setup guide to do this, but it will make your printer accessible to more devices on your network].
Control internet access: You will also be able to configure the kind of content that can be accessed from the web. More importantly, the router can also be used as your first line of defence against internet hackers. (See box)
How to buy
Look for the '802.11n' standard: The 'n' standard indicates the router's maximum speed over an unwired connection (the older ones being 'a' , 'b' and 'g' ). There is a newer 'ac' standard, but 'n' will serve all your present-day purposes.
Consider dual-band: Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, cordless phones and Bluetooth devices operate in the same 2.4GHz frequency band. Understandably, this causes congestion, reducing the router's signal strength. In such cases, you would be better off with a dual-band router. Such a router allows for connections over the additional 5GHz band simultaneously. Dual-band smartphones and laptops can connect on 5GHz while the rest can operate over 2.4GHz.
USB port(s): Like we mentioned earlier, routers with USB ports will let you plug flash drives, hard disks and even printers to share these resources over the network.
Multiple antennas: External antennas increase the overall range of your router; ideal for when you might want to access the router from behind a wall or glass doors.
Suggestions
ADSL router: D-Link DSL-2750 U Wireless N ADSL2+, 2,280
Non-ADSL: TP-Link TL-WR 841N, 1,558 | Netgear WNDR3700 N600 Dual Band, 6,150
Wireless USB dongles
With a wireless USB dongle, you can add Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity to your PC without upgrading it. First, you need to fix on the one you need...
Which dongle is right for you
Bluetooth dongle: Allows you to use Bluetooth to connect to other devices.
Wi-Fi dongle: Adds wireless abilities to a PC without built-in Wi-Fi .
3G dongle: In case your work is internetdependent , consider a 3G dongle as a backup. Just make sure your router supports these 3G USB sticks. Besides, portable wireless adaptors (pictured) that take 3G dongles will also allow you to share your connection on the move.
Suggestions
Portable Wi-Fi: TP-Link TL-WN 822N 1,515, Asus USB-N 13 1,439
Wi-Fi +3G: D-Link DWR-113 3G (Rs 1,815), TP-Link TL-MR 3020 (Rs 1,740)
Shared storage
Wouldn't it be great if you could access content on your smartphone, tablet and laptop, without having to make copies on every device? Indeed, you'd be better off saving all your essential files on an external hard drive, shared over the network.
Benefits
Central access: You will be able to access your movie library saved on the shared hard drive wirelessly on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or television. All you need to do is connect the external hard drive to the wireless router's Ethernet port.
Automated backups: You can configure the hard drive's software to take backups automatically over the network.
How to buy
Storage capacity: Always opt for highest storage capacity that you can afford. Its always better to be prepared for any future storage needs that you might have.
Network connectivity: Make sure the external hard drive includes an Ethernet port to connect to your wireless router via a network cable (RJ45).
USB ports: These will let you plug in USB flash drives to share additional or temporary data across the network.
Suggestions
Seagate Central Shared Storage (2TB), (Rs 12,561), WD My Book Live (2TB), (Rs 9,611)
Wireless media player: This component is recommended in any home where you'd want to wirelessly stream digital movies, YouTube videos, and online photos to your TV
Benefits
Extensive format support: You will be able to play most of the popular music and video formats available today, including FLAC, OGG, MKV, FLV and VOB.
Internet access: When connected to your wireless router, you will be able to access content from YouTube, DailyMotion, Flickr, etc on the player through apps, or the built-in web browser.
Direct wireless link: Some media players have the ability to wirelessly stream media from its storage to mobile devices too.
How to buy
Make notes, take pictures: Before you set out to buy a wireless media player, make notes and take pictures of the audio-video input connections on your TV set. Match these with the ports on the media player at the electronic shop and double check with the salesman about compatibility. If not HDMI, most players come with component video and composite connections.
Built-in storage: Opt for a player with a built-in hard drive. This will allow you to store digital content on the device itself, instead of having to stream it through Wi-Fi every time. Less streaming also means smoother playback.
Look for 802.11n: For an optimum connection between the media player and router, both should support the 802.11n standard.
Suggestions
iOmega ScreenPlay DX HD (1TB), (Rs 12,799) WD TV Live Hub (1TB), (Rs 13,60) WD TV Live, (Rs 5,260
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