Ethernet is the most common type of wired Internet connection that ensures maximum upload and download speeds along with a reliable connection to your router or modem. While many homes and businesses use wireless connections for convenience, most people know that a wired connection is really the best in terms of speed and consistency. Ethernet extenders will help you route the wires throughout your home or business, but there are a few things to consider before choosing one.
Network Throughput
Perhaps, this is the most important aspect to consider because it will determine how quickly your network runs. In simplest terms, network throughput is a measure of how quickly data is successfully routed through the network. It goes both ways, so this counts for both uploads and downloads. If money is not an object, then it’s best to get the highest throughput possible. According to AvaLAN Wireless, “Since most businesses and homes don’t have unlimited money, it’s best to strike a happy medium between speed and price by choosing a speed that doesn’t go above or below your needs.”
While there is always the chance that extenders will run a little higher or lower than their stated speeds, it’s best to get as close as possible to your needs. Be sure to measure your maximum network speeds to see how fast the extender should be. This will ensure you have enough power for peak usage times.
Distance
Unlike wireless connections that can often reach slightly beyond their stated limits, an Ethernet extender can only reach a certain point. Most extenders provide several hundred feet of extra space, and there are even those that can extend your connection beyond a mile. While it is possible to daisy chain one extender after another, this produces some problems with speed and causes the network to get somewhat slower after each extender.
Having a little extra distance is always good to ensure that you can move hardware around as needed, but there’s no reason to go overboard. If you’re installing a home network, then a few extra feet is a good idea. If you’re installing a business network, then you might want an additional 100 feet or so.
Ports
How many computers or servers will be connected to the Ethernet extender? Ports are directly responsible for these connections. You can’t connect 20 computers if your extender only offers three ports. Much like distance, it’s always a good idea to have a few additional ports just in case you need to connect extra computers. At the same time, there’s no reason to get a device with 24 ports if you’re just connecting two or three computers to the network.
Conclusion
Ethernet extenders offers the most reliable Internet connections with the best speeds because they connect computers directly to the modem. While it’s a little harder than setting up a wireless network, everyone will agree that it’s worth the effort for the improved speeds. Just be sure to consider the throughput, distance and number of ports before making your selection.
