|
DLink DI-714
Home networking has come a long way in the past 2-3 years. Under Windows95, networking still appeared to be a carefully guarded secret of system administrators and other illuminati, however, things changed pretty dramatically with the introduction of Win98 and its later versions. Particularly the addition of shared internet access made a network at home an almost mandatory feature in households sporting more than one PC.
Broadband, cable and DSL did the rest to popularize home-networking, however, also unearthed the inherent risk of vulnerability to anybody who out of curiosity or bad intent wanted to scan private computers permanently connected to the internet. The original solution was to use a software-based firewall to hide the entire home network from the outside world but it didn't take long until hardware-based solutions like the DLink DI-701 emerged.
With the operating system fully supporting home LAN setup and internet sharing and all of the above hidden even from the internet service provider, there are still quite a few obstacles that make networking less attractive, particularly in older homes lacking the built in CAT5 wiring (are there any that have it?). Certainly, it is not up to everyone's taste to drill holes into the walls and ceiling/floors to run the necessary wiring throughout the entire house. A possible solution was offered in the form of Home-PNA (Phone Network) using existing phone lines to connect computers. So far so good PNA is a nice solution and fast enough for most applications as we showed almost 2 years ago.
One problem is still that every hardwired network needs one specific component: wires. Wires are limited and there are situations where a more flexible solution is required. One common scenario are conferences where data sheets and proposals are balloted electronically by all attendees with the need of tracking the individual comments. The old-fashioned way is to set up a booth where everyone can punch in their data. The more advanced way is to use a conference room with wiring to every seat allowing laptops to plug into the network. The right way is to use wireless communication that can be accomplished by handing out wireless transceivers that plug into any laptop or, just in case someone brings in a full tower .... this doesn't happen too often, though.
Jokes aside, wireless communication has become an important part of networking, adding increased bandwidth and security options which are enough to make cable routing almost obsolete in most environments. Furthermore, prices have dropped to a point where the inconvenience of having to set up a standard network using twisted pair cables offsets the slightly higher investment for a wireless router, particularly if it is bundled with a firewall. This is exactly where the DLink DI-714 fits in.
| 
