Zone Labs Home Network Installation Guide

About this manual

This guide walks you through the decisions needed to design a home network, compares wired and wireless options, and explains the 802.11a/b/g standards. It also covers security considerations and how routers and firewalls protect your devices.

The document lists the required equipment—modem, router/gateway, network adapter cards, Category 5 cable—and provides a clear installation sequence from connecting the modem to wiring computers to the router, both for wired and wireless setups.

What's inside

• Decisions You'll Need to Make
• Wired vs. Wireless (WiFi) – Which to Choose?
• 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g Overview
• What Will I Need?
• How Do I Hook Up All the Equipment?
• Security Considerations

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

What types of network connections can I use at home?

You can use a wired Ethernet network, a wireless Wi‑Fi network, or a combination of both.

What equipment do I need to set up a home network?

You need a modem, a router or gateway, network adapter cards for PCs, Category 5 Ethernet cable, and optionally installation CDs for the hardware.

How do I connect all the equipment together?

First connect the modem to the ISP line, then attach the router, install any PC or PCI network cards, and finally connect each computer to the router via cable or wireless adapters.

How can I secure my home network?

Use a router with a built‑in hardware firewall and install software firewalls on each computer to protect against external attacks.