If you don’t have a home network set up or if you have some of the components you need but haven’t set everything up yet, this guide is for you. In this guide, I show you what hardware you need to set up a home network, where to get it (if you’re in the UK), and give the basics of connecting it all together.
Please note that this is assuming you have an ADSL subscription (i.e. BT, TalkTalk, Sky, etc), and not Cable (i.e. Virgin). Also, whatever ISP (Internet Service Provider) you are using, if you have joined within the last few years, they should have sent you a free wireless router, with cables, anyway. If they haven’t, and you’re out of your contract, you should be able to speak to them and get them to send you the equipment out for free. For example, BT would send you their Home Hub, which is a really decent piece of hardware (especially as you can run a virtual “phone line” off of it, with BT BroadBand Talk!)
This guide is part of the Home Network Setup, Sharing, Streaming, and Backup Series. Learn more about setting up a home network, configuring file sharing and streaming, and performing network backups on the series homepage.
If you’re in the United States, please use the US guide to pick hardware. Otherwise, read on:
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