PC Magazine - 2009 04.pdf - Libertad Zero - Blog

them scan for the SSID (BobsWireless).
When a device finds it, it will ask you for
the security key. Type it in, hit Save, and
those PCs will automatically connect
whenever they’re turned on and in range.
Last Thoughts on Wires and Ports
Once your home network is running, those
wireless computers should be able to see
each other as well as any wired computers
you have plugged directly into the back of
the home router. And speaking of wired,
stick with Category 5e or Category 6 Ethernet
patch cables. Both of these are capable
of running Gigabit-speed Ethernet (GigE).
The highest-end home routers have GigE,
which has a data rate of 1,000 Mbps—ten
times faster than “Fast Ethernet.”
Gigabit Ethernet will be especially
useful if your network winds up carrying
HP MediaSmart Server EX487
$749.99 list; 1500GB
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one of the best NAS servers we’ve
tested, the EX487 is easier to set up
than most of its competitors. Its Windows
home Server collects, organizes,
and streams your media over your network,
including the Web. And if you’re having
a problem organizing your content because
it resides on multiple computers, MediaSmart
can also help you collect and manage your media
files in its central data store.
Click here for more.
36 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION APRIL 2009
movies and hi-def TV content around the
house, or if you play multiplayer games.
And who doesn’t? If those ports on the
back of your router aren’t enough, drop $30
or more on a GigE-capable switch. Plug it
into a GigE port on your router, and then
all the ports on the switch will function the
same as those on the router. You’ll instantly
go from four available GigE ports to 8, 12,
or 20 depending on how big a switch you
choose. You can even plug a second switch
into the first.
If you have areas of the house where
Wi-Fi won’t reach and you don’t want to
thread Ethernet cable through the walls
or around doors, you can sometimes take
advantage of existing wires in the walls.
If you’re lucky enough to have coaxial
cable running from room to room, a set
of MoCA-capable adapters (short for
The Best Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Sans Digital MobileNAS MN4L+
$695 list; 4095GB capacity
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The Sans Digital MobileNAS MN4L+ is an
extremely reliable and easy-to-use NAS solution
for network-wide backups. With four
3-Gbps, 3.5-inch SATA drives installed, the
box can provide RAID levels 0 (not really
RAID, but still...), 1, 0+1, 5, and 6. Setup and
maintenance is easy, and the default RAID 5
is ideal for network backups.
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multimedia over coax) on either end will
use the wire as if it were Ethernet. You
can even do the same with power lines in
your house, using adapters that support
HomePlug technology. Those are even
easier, because they just plug into existing
outlets, then have an Ethernet cord that
comes out to attach to the router and distance
switch.
There are plenty of ways you can now
add to or modify your home network. You
can add more wireless security, another
wireless access point, media devices to
share photos and videos, webcams for
watching the house while you’re away,
parental controls so the kids stay safe on
the Web, picocells that use the Internet to
extend the range of your cellular phone,
and the list goes on and on. But this is the
foundation for everything else to come.
Western Digital My Book
World Edition
$229.99 list for 1TB capacity;
$499.99 list for 2TB capacity
Rating not yet available
This eco-friendly network storage drive runs
cooler and consumes 33 percent less power
than its competitors. It provides automatic
backup for all the computers in your home,
keeping track of file locations and versions.
The streaming media server can stream files
to any DNLA-compliant device, including
the Xbox 360, the PlayStation3, and wireless
picture frames. It is also Mac/iTunes friendly.
Finally, consumers can access their data from
anywhere via the Web.
Click here for more.