Deciding whether to go wireless or wired for your home network can be a difficult decision. Read this post and you will be able to make an informed decision on which will best meet your needs. Wired Network Wired networks connections are more reliable and speeds are faster. Building a wired network takes time but is relatively inexpensive. You need to run Ethernet cables from the hub to each room or computer you would like to access the Internet. You can often get good deals on Ethernet cables and hubs if you shop around. Many home computers come with software to help you set up your network and security settings. The downside to a wired network is that if you want to add another room or computer you have to run another Ethernet cable. It's also important, for security purposes, to install and update your firewall and other security software. Wireless Network Wireless networking allows you to add new computers into the network immediately without having to run any new cables. Wireless networking doesn't cost much more then wired, and the hardware is frequently on sale. However, wireless connections are frequently slower then wired and not as reliable. There are 3 types of wireless networking, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The 802.11g is currently the standard for most home users. Many new computers come with wireless network cards. If you have an older computer, you can buy a network card at most computer stores or online. Before you buy a wireless router, make sure it is compatible with your network card. For instance, if you have a network card that supports 802.11g make sure you get a router that supports that type of networking. Wireless signals typically reach up to 100 feet, but depending on where your router is located, the signal strength may vary. If you leave your wireless network open anyone can access your network. However, you can easily secure your wireless network through the router with either WEP or WPA encryption.