Seamless home networking Home networking - usually defined as linking computers or peripheral devices such as printers in order to use a shared connection - is growing in popularity. Many households these days have several PCs, with users often wanting Internet access at the same time. Installing a home networking system solves this problem, enabling everyone to share a single broadband connection and go online simultaneously. It also allows you to share a printer, transfer data easily between computers and even stream digital media such as music, films or photos stored on your PC or MP3 player into your TV. Wired or wireless? There are two types of home networks - wired or wireless, both of which have pros and cons. The choice largely depends on your home's specific layout and your particular home networking requirements. Wireless networking is an attractive option for many people, especially laptop users, because of its freedom and flexibility within a room or area of your home, even outside in the garden. But it is no substitute for a hardwired infrastructure in terms of performance, reliability and security. In fact, sole reliance on wireless technologies is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. However, home networks aren't just about computers. In order to maximise the use of technology and to properly future-proof your home, we recommend installing low cost Cat6 computer cabling in all major rooms within a property, sometimes called structured cabling. A wired home networking system can be used for telephone, computer or other data purposes as required; providing the versatility to utilise rooms in different ways as the communications needs of your family change over time.