Networks

Internet Service providers still charge double for small business internet service than for residential service.  However with the popularity of streaming entertainment, gaming and smart devices many households now use more data in more challenging ways at home than they do at work.  

In 1921 Frederick R. Barnard noted that:  “A picture is worth a thousand words.”   In an internet world…

One word is about 1 byte of data.
A single website photo is about a million bytes of data
     So 1 Pic's data equals about a million words of data! ...and
3 minutes of 4k HD video is about a billion bytes (1GB) aka the data of a thousand Pics.   

It is safe to suggest that a households with a streaming habit uses exponentially more data in a single evening than a month of emails from your whole office!  So how much do streaming gaming and smart devices affect your home network?   “A whole bunch!!”  

Think of your network as a chain of wires and devices that connect  you to the source of the information you are expecting.  Over time, as your demand for information increased more of those wires and devices became obsolete.

So if you are now regularly frustrated with your network’s results …

Is it time to re-assess each link in that chain and then upgrade those Weak Links?

It might be time to re-evaluate your network if you find youself saying any of these:

1. My cable bill is too high!
2. Maybe buying faster interent will fix things.
3. I don’t even want to add up the costs of all our streaming services!
4. My Google Home smart Speaker often responds: “I can’t seam to reach the internet right now. Please try again later”
5. My network devices need to be restarted multiple times each week.
6. I would like to automate my lights, garage door, thermostat or doorbell.
7. I wish I could video chat with Aunt Trude.
8. I took all these photos but rarely take the time to enjoy them.

Cable providers are continually offereing faster speeds of service for less money in response to our increased dependence on interent services . Meanwhile Mesh WiFi Networks have become mainstream. because they solve problems with dead zones, slow speeds and restarts on your home network. They can also replace some of your longer ethernet wires.

What is a Mesh WiFi Network?

A Mesh WiFi Network spreads the delivery of your wifi through a few network devices called nodes or Mesh Access Points. This team of devices share the wifi delivery jobs. When done correctly the space has wifi about as fast and reliable as if you were directly connected to the internet or standing next to the main router. A Mesh of nodes is more seamless than access points because you don’t need to reconnect to different wifi SSID’s as you move away from from one accespoint and closer to another.

A good test of the placement of your new Mesh devices is taking a wireless device in hand, connecting to your wifi and then checking you internet speed at this link to Google’s speed test. Does all this sounds too damn complicated? Don’t be a weak link! Just ask your trusted Chief technology Officer for a little help. You will be leading your home into the future in no time!

Meanwhile Check out these network products selected by TomsGuide.com

Best Wi-Fi routers | Best mesh routers | Best Wi-Fi extenders |  Best powerline extenders |

 Best cable modems  

Here are links to several smart devices and network devices I have personally tried or have recommend to others.

Google Nest Hubs Nest Mini Google Home Assistant Google nest Hub Max 10″ screen

Home Network: TP–Link N300 WiFi Range Extender Access Point Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem, 6 Gbps Max Speed. Approved for Comcast Xfinity Gigabit, Cox Gigablast, and More, Black TP–Link WiFi 6 AX3000 OneMesh Compatible (Archer AX5

Mesh: Google nest Home Mesh 4 pack TP-Link Deco AXE5300 6E Mesh Wi-Fi System, 3-Pack

Smart Electric: Feit Electric Wi-Fi Smart Bulbs, 4-pack Atomi Smart LED Color String Lights Feit Electric Wi-Fi Smart 16′ LED Strip Light Feit Electric Wi-Fi Smart Plug, 3-pack Etekcity 6 pack of Mini Smart WiFi Outlet Plugs (10A)

Smart control for Dogs: Furbo Dog Camera with Treat Tossing

Security: Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus with Indoor Security Cam Ring Floodlight Camera Google Nest Learning Thermostat Chamberlain /Liftmaster myQ Smart Garage Door Opener MYQ-G0301

Home Entartainment: upgrade LG 65″ Class – UQ8000 Series – 4K UHD LED LCD TV Alexa Dot Smart Speaker with Audio Jack out. Makes your legacy Stereo “Smart.” Most useful if also paired throughan audio spliter with some small PC Speakers

HDMI to HDMI + Audio (SPDIF and /or RCA Stereo) Audio Extractor Converter connects TV HDMI output to your old legacy Home Theater Reciever Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming device, Wi-Fi 6, Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls)

See also: Trusted CTO’s long Amazon Wish List for Network devices