Blog

Hint: It’s Not about Your Router

This blog is the third installment this month of our three-part series on home networks and connectivity. In the first, we discussed how popular consumer solutions like mesh networks and routers might not be the panacea that the marketing might imply. In the second part, we talked about our approach to connection speed and stability, particularly through the judiciousness of cabling and commercial-level components. 

In this last installment, we'll talk about Wi-Fi performance and how to maximize it in your Park City, UT home. Wi-Fi is the first thing practically anyone notices if it's slow, won't connect, or drops. Unlike some, we look at Wi-Fi as "last mile" connectivity. Not the last mile in terms of the internet connection into your home, but the last resort for connections. As we noted in the second part of this series, if it can be connected by cable, we do it. You'll get more stable connections, better speeds, and decrease the load on the devices that really need Wi-Fi, improving overall network performance. 

So, how do we do Wi-FI for home network installations? Keep reading below!

SEE ALSO: Home Networking Part 2: What Makes a Strong Home Network? 

Separate Components

If you are familiar with audio, you might know that audiophiles who demand high performance prefer separate components versus all-in-one systems. For example, it might be a separate phono amp for a turntable and separate preamp and amplifiers for a two-channel hi-fi setup. Typical home network solutions package everything into the router, including a switch for wired connections, Wi-Fi radios for wireless networking, and router and firewall software. Much like in audio, separating these components into better individual ones can yield higher performance. Also, similar to audio, you tend to find these separates as higher-end, pro-level equipment. 

With the Current Importance of Staying Connected at Home, Your Network is More Critical Than Ever

Our world is hyper-connected, and the current health crisis has demonstrated that acutely. We have come to depend on always-on connectivity, whether from smartphones, smart home devices, for audio and video entertainment, and much more.

In the current health crisis, many people are at home doing more than ever - work, school, staying in touch through video, and relying more on home-based entertainment options. With all that happening all day with multiple family members, many home networks are stretched to their limits.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure your family has the connectivity it needs for all your activities. Show and Tell AV offers home network installation services in the Salt Lake City area and throughout Utah with professional-grade equipment and software tools to keep you connected through this period and well beyond. Keep reading to learn more.

If You Notice These Signs, It May Be Time for an Upgrade

We’ve all experienced internet connectivity woes in the home. When a webpage fails to load, or that familiar buffering icon interrupts your HBO movie, what do you do? Maybe you reset the router or reboot your TV or streamer and pray that does the trick. But eventually, the truth will out: It may be time to upgrade your current home network installation.

Your home network may also be opening the door to dangerous security threats, which is more critical now than ever as adults in Salt Lake City, UT, and surrounding areas transition to working from home. Security vulnerabilities don’t just put youat risk; they can harm your employees and business, too.

We’re starting this three-part home network blog series by discussing the tell-tale signs that suggest your current home network may need some help. Read along and take note of the woes that ring a bell.