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Bluetooth & Troubleshooting
Bluetooth
One last name you might hear about in the wireless arena is
Bluetooth. Imaginatively named after a Viking king, this
short-range wireless protocol is not aimed at the home
network but the personal area network (PAN).
Bluetooth is
meant to reduce cable clutter from smaller devices like cell
phones, PDAs, laptops, keyboards and headsets. Upcoming
products with Bluetooth chips will be able to network with
other Bluetooth devices or connect to access points in
pre-existing networks within a range of about 10 m (30 ft).
Data can be transmitted at a maximum of 1 Mbps.
The industry envisions users wirelessly networking laptops
or PDAs to internet enabled cell phones. Since Bluetooth
uses radio waves with the same frequency as those used in
IEEE 802.11 and other wireless home appliances, Bluetooth
will have to overcome problems with interference.
Software
In most cases, when you buy a network kit you get drivers,
installation software and internet sharing utilities. Single
network adapters tend to come with less software than a kit.
When buying a kit, look for an automatic installer or wizard
that will guide you step-by-step through the set-up and
configuration process, unless you have previous network
experience.
When you buy a NIC ensure it comes with the appropriate
drivers. These programs act as translators between the
software that runs a device and the machine language of the
device. Drivers are platform specific so your NIC should
have drivers for your version of Windows or the Mac OS.
Not all kits provide bundled internet sharing software. If
this is one of the main reasons you are networking, be sure
the software is included or you'll have to buy it separately
which can be costly. If you plan on building a mixed PC and
Mac network, ensure you're getting software that enables
cross-platform file and printer sharing like PC MacLAN or
DAVE.
Troubleshooting
Make sure your kit comes with a decent instruction manual.
External adapters are fairly straightforward to install, but
you might need a guiding hand if you've never installed an
internal NIC before. Good documentation will also make
software and hardware installation run more smoothly.
Definitely find out what sort of tech support comes with the
product. Ideally you should get free phone support or at
least email support since networks can be finicky and
sometimes frustrating to install.
Regardless of the interface, try to get network adapters
that have indicator lights. These lights are very useful
when troubleshooting. Different lights can tell you if the
adapter is properly connected to your computer, if it can
link to other adapters on the network and if there's network
activity. Alternately, some adapters come with software that
similarly monitors the status of your network.
Conclusion
The smorgasbord of networking technologies gives you plenty
of options when considering a home LAN. Whether you decide
to go wired or wireless will be influenced by the layout of
your home, your budget, plus the type of computers you own.
Wired Ethernet LANs are the least expensive option, offer
the fastest transfer speeds and utilize a mature technology.
Wireless networks are still new so they're pricier and have
the potential for more problems. But the convenience of
wireless will outweigh any drawbacks for many users.
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