Smart Home Basics: Maintaining a Reliable Local Area Network

In this technologically advanced age having a smart home surveillance is a necessity as even the intruders have become advanced and will make new tactics to penetrate into our privacy. Installing a surveillance camera or video doorbell might seem to be the ultimate option but these gadgets need continuous internet connection from the local area network to perform 24x7 seamlessly.

With continuous internet connection, the smart security devices will perform efficiently by capturing even the minute details of a fleeting moment. But if somehow they go offline, that is, if there is loss of internet connectivity, the devices might underperform or even go totally offline. In such conditions, the surveillance system will create inconveniences by missing out some crucial moments, which might have been important especially if there is any trespassing of your property.

In order to keep the smart surveillance active throughout the day and night, all you need is a reliable and fast internet connection. Below we have mentioned a few tips on creating a local area network for your property and how it helps.

Local Area Network –What It Is Actually

More of less, we are all pretty much aware about LAN that stands as abbreviated term of Local Area Network. Technically speaking, LAN stands as a hub of various devices connected through internet such as wifi camera, mobile, computer etc which share same connection to the server. So, basically your home security system devices need local area network to stay connected to internet.

However, a poor connection might not solve the issue even if the connection is continuous. Having a smooth reliable network will keep the issue of poor connection, poor performance and going offline, away.

How To Create Local Area Network

In most cases, the WiFi router is the commonly used local area network. All your wired devices are hosted and connected together with internet through Ethernet cords. The router usually consists of some ports where network cables are to be attached. You connect the router to the internet through the internet port or WAN port and the router to the smart devices through LAN port.

Difference Between WiFi and Ethernet

Although the commonest and simplest internet connection solution for smooth wireless web access, WiFi is also prone to interference by floors, walls, electrical appliances, home electronics and even other WiFi connections. Hence, you might experience low connection or hindrance in connection.   

There has been some shocking news of security breach of a property due to wireless interference. The effect of this unreliable WiFi connection include decreased performance of the security devices, low quality media capturing and occasional loss of internet connection of the devices.

Coming to Ethernet cables, which look almost like telephone cables, these cables establish connection between router and devices and then router and internet. Ethernet cables are more reliable than WiFi as there is no worry about any wireless interference although there are some limitations.

Due to wiring complexity, connecting to internet through Ethernet is not as simple as that of WiFi as most properties have DSL Port or cable on wall connecting the router and internet and majority of routers consist of around 4-5 ports connecting to Ethernet cords, thereby, limiting number of the wired devices.

In case you are planning a remodeling or getting a new home, it is better to pass Ethernet cables through the wall and have multiple DSL ports and cables on walls. Having DSL cables in each room will let you place router in every room and connect as many smart devices you want through numerous LAN ports.

How To Extend WiFi Network  

As a homeowner it might seem unrealistic to create the network consisting of Ethernet-connected gadgets mostly and WiFi, although having limitations, can be more efficient and reliable for home security system.

One router connecting all the devices might cause low signal to pass due to wireless interference, thereby making the router receive poor signal or go offline mostly. With WiFi repeater and extender, wireless signal can be extended.

The WiFi extender connects to router wirelessly while picking up WiFi signal from router; it then re transmits the signal to home smart devices. In any standard outlet between the smart device and router, you will have to plug in the extender so that it can strengthen and extend the signal.

How To Expand Ethernet Network

If you are planning to install a home camera with reliable network including Ethernet connected gadgets mainly because your home is not suitable for supporting a router, you can easily work on the limitations.

Although most routers support only four or less LAN ports, thereby connecting up to the same number of devices to router with Ethernet cable, you can easily add LAN ports, followed by more Ethernet connected gadgets with Ethernet switch or hub.

Ethernet Hubs and Switches have many LAN ports so that they can connect to router with Ethernet cable. One channel is dedicated for all the ports and the switch contains dedicated channels for the ports. No matter how many connected devices are there, the speed never decreases in Switch and hence, the Ethernet Switch having 4 to 48 ports is more reliable than Ethernet hub. You don’t have to add cable ports or DSLs into walls of your home.

Create Smart Reliable Home Security System

Without a reliable network connection your security gadgets will create more inconveniences and you have to do troubleshooting time and again. Follow the above tips to create a stable and glitch-free internet connection that supports all your security devices without hampering functionality of any devices.