Although it is often overlooked, having a home network that is properly wired and setup can improve everyone’s experience regardless of their data usage. While many home networks are powered by a single wireless router, the use of a cheaper router or switch can sometimes cause issues on the network. Under heavy use, a poorly-performing wireless router may even crash.
If you are looking for ways to increase the throughput of your home network, purchasing a wired adapter like a 4 port NIC or Ethernet switch may help to alleviate crashes and slow downloads during heavy use. With many people now using multiple devices throughout their homes for content consumption, having a well thought out network that includes both switches and wireless routers will ensure everyone gets their content in a timely manner.
For homes that have a central media server, the installation of a 4 port NIC will allow multiple computers and other devices to be physically connected. This will drastically increase the speeds at which content can be streamed to connected devices without affecting any Internet serving devices. Within a wired home, you can share files, photos and pictures quickly and easily while avoiding heavy Internet usage.
While many wireless routers provides speeds of up to 300Mbit/s, using a physical NIC or Ethernet switch can allow you to receive that same information at gigabit speeds. This is a must for anyone looking to view 4K content over their network. With enough bandwidth to spare, you will not have to worry about slowing everyone else down while watching your favorite movies or television shows in ultra high definition.
If you’re simply looking for a way to ensure all the devices in your home are able to connect to the Internet for general usage, a wireless router is a one-piece solution to your problems. With many routers now offering several different bands and multiple antennas, you may find that you prefer a router to a 4 port NIC. Regardless, your home network can now be congestion free for everyone.