Custom Wiring 47417 Nita Utica MI, 48317 Phone 877-467-5225 Fax 586-992-1364

Residential Computer Networking
The wired home network offers a high level of dependability. Once installation is complete each computer has the ability to operate at 10/100mbps speeds. Currently this is much faster than wireless connections. My Internet provider only provides a max speed of 4mbps, so why do i need 10/100 ability?(1) Internet speeds will increase over time. To give you an idea Comcast just increased their max speed from 3mbps to 4mbps. (2) File sharring between PC's can run at the full 100mbps. This would include sharred printers and file transfers, from PC to server, etc. Also in larger homes and large offices interference can play a role. We have requests mostly commerical where the only task is to remove the wireless connections and replace them with the hardwired method. So whats our opnion? Our preference is a combination of wired and wireless. We like to use a router that has standard ports and a wireless access point. The reason for this is simple. Hardwired outlets offers better speed and performence. With this in mind all desktops in the home would be hardwired. The wireless ability of the router is a feature that only costs $20-$40 more. If you plan on getting or already have a laptop this will allow the laptop to go anywhere in the home and have a connection. There are also many advancements being made in the industry including wireless media devices and many others. This also provides a option for rooms that for some reason cannot be hardwired. Wireless networking has saved the day before on homes that have finish basements, with drywall ceilings when hardwiring is not a option. Heres a run down of the installation step by step.


Wired network installation

1) Decide where the connections will go.
The star topology is the only right way to go. This theory is based on all cat5e runs originating from one area in the home. This depends on the type of home, but in most cases we like to run the cat5e from each computer to the area in the basement where the circut breaker box is located. The connections would be located here along with the cable modem and the router. Why you ask? Imagine if all the connections were run to a spare bedroom that currently is used for a office. Changing the room to a bedroom or even moving the desk could result in rewiring the whole network. In some homes there is no basement. In those cases we will come up with the best possible location. Lets not forget the customer is always right. So if you want the connections in a particular location you will get what you want. Ok now we can install the cable.

2) Install cat5e to each computer.
Their is two types of cat5e that can be used. Most residential applications will use the unsheilded cable. Whats the difference? Well, most types of cable are suseptable to interference. If the cable has to run close to a source of interference than sheilded cable is the answer. If there are no significant sources of interference than non-sheilded is the perferred choice. Ofcourse there is the cost factor. Sheilded cat5e is three times the cost. In a lot of cases cost alone makes the decision. Once cable type is determined the cable will be run through the walls to each location. A wallplate is installed at the computer end of the cable and a patch cord will run from the wallplate to the computer NIC card (Network Interface Card). Older computers may not have this interface and one may need to be installed. Connnections are installed on the other ends of the cable runs and connected directly to the router. The cable modem is usually moved to that location.

3) configure router.
This step is the final one. The router is configured for your Cable or DSL Internet service. Each computer is configured and internet connectivity is tested. At this point each computer will have access to the Internet. If you would like to share a printer, this along with file sharring between your computers can be configred.

Interested in having a network installed. Please view our Price List Page.   Also check out our Specials Page as discounted packages are often offered.