The Homeowner’s Guide to Building a Future-Proof Home Network

We live in a reality where a stable and secure internet connection is a critical element of our daily lives. The infamous pandemic and other serious global events have only emphasized the need for quality infrastructure at home. We are talking about remote work, online learning, smart devices, video conferencing, video streaming, etc. All of the above required and still requires a powerful and reliable home connection. Therefore, building a network at home goes beyond a technical task. It is an important investment in the future.

But how can you make sure that you prepare your home for the digital challenges of the next decade? The best way is to carefully read this Home network guide below. From design to security. From hardware selection to setup. From the minimum basic requirements to a full-fledged premium infrastructure. The proposed guide will reveal all the important details.

Knowledge and Resources. How to Build the Future of the Network?

Before you dive into the practical aspects of building a reliable network infrastructure at home, you need to have a clear understanding of the following. The concept, current standards, and technologies.

The first thing is to ensure that your blueprint is ready. Every detail regarding the plan to build a future-proof network should be laid out clearly in the plan. With this, you will be able to work systematically while avoiding any errors. If for some reason you lose this file, use file recovery software for Mac. Within a minute, your file will be back on the system. You can use the software permanently on your computer so that in the future, too, if you lose any file, retrieval is possible without any hassle. Besides a good network, you need the best tools on the computer to work with a peaceful mind.

Home Network Planning. Where to Start?

• Needs assessment
• Wired or wireless

Needs assessment. Current and future needs

The first step you should take when building a home network is to analyze your current and potential needs.

• How many devices do you plan to connect?
• Do you need coverage in the garden or garage?
• Do you plan to use video surveillance, smart TV, or IoT devices?

The answers to these questions will determine the network architecture.

According to a study by Parks Associates, the average number of connected devices in U.S. households with Internet access reached 17 in the third quarter of 2023. This data shows a growing trend of increasing the number of connected devices in households. All of this emphasizes the importance of building a reliable and secure home network. Therefore, if you don’t want to update your router every year, consider future proofing home today.

Wired or wireless. The optimal structure

Wi-Fi is certainly convenient. However, wired Ethernet connections are still more reliable and stable. Especially for PCs, TVs, or NAS. The best solution is to combine both technologies.

• Install gigabit or even 10G Ethernet in key areas.
• For Wi-Fi, choose the Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E standard.

Equipment as the Foundation of a Stable Network

• The main components
• Storage. Servers

The main components

The heart of the system is the router. Choose models that support Mesh, QoS, and WPA3. If your home is large, add Access Points with Power over Ethernet or PoE. This way you can ensure stable coverage without signal loss.

Modern solutions like Ubiquiti UniFi and ASUS ZenWiFi are well suited for both small apartments and large private homes.

Network storage. Servers

NAS, i.e. Network Attached Storage, is a must-have for:

• media streaming,
• backups,
• home theater.

If you are creating a full-fledged ecosystem, you can use a server based on TrueNAS or Synology. It can act as:

• Plex server,
• a video archive for cameras,
• file hub.

Network Security as a Key to Stable Operation

A home network is a tasty morsel for hackers. That is why home network security is not an option. It is a must. However, according to the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2022, there has been a significant increase in malware activity that targeted IoT devices. Between 2019 and the fourth quarter of 2020 there was a 3000% increase in IoT malware activity. All this shows the growing threat associated with IoT devices.

Therefore:

• Set complex passwords,
• Update firmware,
• Use a guest network for temporary visitors.

For additional protection, use a VPN to connect to your home network from the outside.

You can also install a hardware Firewall.

Segment devices by purpose. IoT separately, PCs separately.

How to Prepare Your Home for 2030? The Future

• future proofing home in practice
• Preparing for the technologies of the future

What does future proofing home mean in practice?

It means not just having up-to-date equipment, but also a structure that will allow for the smooth introduction of new technologies.

• Leave cable channels open for new connections.
• Add redundant Ethernet ports.
• Choose equipment that can be firmware-enabled for new standards.

Preparing for the technologies of the future

By 2030, the massive adoption of 8K video, XR platforms, and robotic assistants is expected. All of this requires minimal latency and high bandwidth at the same time. To be ready, follow the principles of how to build a home network not only for today but also for the future.

Summary

Building high-quality infrastructure at home is a worthwhile endeavor. It improves the quality of life, saves time and resources. Take the right approach to building a home network. Be attentive enough to home network security. Develop a long-term vision. All of the above allows you to create a truly reliable environment for work, study, and entertainment. So, if you want to make your home ready for the future, don’t delay, use the proposed Home network guide and, if necessary, involve specialists and comprehensively familiarize yourself with this topic to deepen your knowledge. Let your home be not only cozy, but also digitally advanced.