Home Networks

More Important than Ever!

Networks allow us to communicate efficiently in our increasingly connected electronic world. They move digital data from one device to another—throughout the home and around the world. They accomplish this while preserving the integrity of the data—even when multiple demands are placed upon them at the same time. It’s amazing that they work as well as they do.

Each year, they are called upon to carry increasing amounts of data—orders of magnitude more when Ultra High Definition (4K or 8K) video streaming is involved. Let’s see how this is accomplished, so we can understand the stresses that the accelerating world of home digital electronics places upon them.

Wired Networks

Home networks can be wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi). While they can be designed for proprietary use—dedicated to a single purpose—most smart home networks today are designed for multiple purposes: internet access, lighting and shade control, streaming video, multi-room music, surveillance cameras, etc.

Until recently, wired networks were built upon an infrastructure of CAT-5 (Category 5) telecommunications wiring within the home. This is now being replaced by increasingly higher bandwidth versions—CAT-6, 6A, 7 and the new fiber optic CAT-8. If your home is already wired with sufficient, up to date wiring, in the right places, and in undamaged condition—or if pathways for adding new wiring are easily available—then wired networks should be easy to implement or upgrade, and will typically provide higher reliability than wireless networks.

Wireless Networks

The dramatic success of wireless consumer devices over the past two decades (especially tablets, laptops, and smartphones), has contributed to a huge increase in the demands placed upon home wireless networks—for speed, range of coverage, and multiple simultaneous uses. And they are indispensable for homes that are difficult to re-wire due to structural limitations (no basement, crawlspace, or attic). See Infrastructure.

But the performance of wireless networks can be compromised by metal structures within the home, and by shared-uses (especially video streaming) that tax the capacity of the network devices themselves.

If demands on a wireless network are great—due to long distances, or high throughput needs (e.g. video streaming)—replacing them with enterprise-grade (rather than consumer-grade) routers, wireless access points (WAPs), and other specialized distribution products can often resolve the problem, plus providing added capacity for future expansion.

Particularly challenging are situations where multiple systems share a single network. Problems can also arise when metallic structural elements within or around the home (such as stucco wire, metal lath under plaster, metal fireplaces, plumbing, and heating ductwork) create barriers to wireless transmission.

In these cases, wireless access points (WAPs) can be added to facilitate flawless connectivity throughout the home—if wired pathways can be established to connect the WAPs back to the router. If not, then MESH network components may save the day (see below).

Other Network Types

For dedicated home automation systems, the type of network needed may be defined by the make and model of the central processor. Many older smart home systems require proprietary network systems. See System Processors.

Most of the newer smart home systems are more flexibile, allowing operation on standard Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks. MESH networks are special wireless networks, where each switch, keypad, and other device has a built-in receiver/transmitter, so it can help relay digital data back and forth to nearby units—and ultimately back to the processor. This strategy makes them more robust than other wireless network types, and less subject to the problems described above.

The power line carrier, an older network type, communicates digital information along existing power wiring. Because the devices in this network are exposed to 110 volt house current, they have been found to be less reliable than other network types. As a result, this technology has been phased out.

Looking Ahead

Video streaming has become so popular that it is now drawing large numbers of customers away from cable TV and satellite providers. This process is called “Cutting the Cord.” In doing so, it is taxing many older wireless home networks to the point of failure.

The conventional (1080p) High Definition video standard was already challenging the capacity of many existing wireless systems. And with the success of Ultra High Definition (4K) TV, and the recent availability of 8K video devices, the demand placed on wireless home networks will continue to increase greatly.

So when you install or upgrade wireless network components in your home, keep your future needs in mind. Choose the best devices and network strategies that your home and budget will allow. If you install cheap consumer grade components now, you may have to replace them in a year or two. See Video Sources.