How and Why to Install Hard Wired Internet

So now we all know what the World Wide Web is and how amazing it is for this generation of technology lovers. From video gamers to content creators to smart home lovers and Netflix streamers, they all love the internet, and having instant access to it is vital for all entertainment and career purposes. Nowadays, having access to the internet has become as easy as getting a carton of milk from the shop. 2 out of 3 people have their devices connected to the internet

What is hard wired internet?

When people talk about “hard-wired internet,” they are talking about the connection between the router and the device you are giving internet access to. Data is transferred through a cable called an Ethernet cable, which connects the modem straight to the device—a PC, laptop, or TV. In order to use hard-wired internet, you need to connect your device through a cable to an outlet installed on the wall, which is wired directly from the outlet to the source of the internet.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hard Wire Internet

Advantages

There are many benefits to using hard-wired internet instead of WiFi, and depending on the type of person you are, you may value those benefits more or be completely opposed to them.

Better connection

Having instant access to the internet essentially means that your connection is stronger and the speed at which you can download or upload to your devices is a lot faster. With a direct link between modem and device, the middleman has been completely cut off, and there is little to no room for delays or poor connections.

Better security

Using a hard wire to connect to the internet rather than WiFi creates a direct link between the modem and the device, which means unwanted or unauthorized access has little to no chance of getting through. Consider it like a bowling alley with the sides raised. The ball can only go one way when the walls are up. The sides of the bowling alley are the same as the firewall and antivirus programs that are almost always installed on devices.

Low Latency

The amount of time it takes for data from a keystroke, click, or button tap to travel from the device to the internet and back is known as latency. Low latency means that the application responds to your command more quickly. Online gamers, for instance, seek out low latency because it makes for a more responsive, quicker experience when there is less time between pressing a button and receiving a response from the game. However, for the average user, less “lag” means faster web page browsing, quicker online payment processing, and quicker download and upload times.

Disadvantages

Like all good things, there are also some cons to using hardwired internet, and we wouldn’t be very educational if we didn’t tell you about both sides.

Mobility

When you’re connected to the internet using an Ethernet cable, your range of mobility and flexibility is very limited. You can only go as far as the wire will allow. Whereas if you used WiFi, you would be completely mobile and able to move around your home freely without losing connection, subject to your provider and range.

Time to install

Unlike installing a WiFi router in your home, installing a hard-wired internet connection will take you longer to complete as you will have to link each device individually and install the programs needed to receive the transmitted data. Also, depending on your setup, you may be required to have more than one component to get the job done.

How to install hard wired internet

Installing your hard-wired internet infrastructure will differ depending on your provider and the components needed to connect your devices. The larger your infrastructure, the more components you will need to link together all the devices that you want to be connected to.

Step by step guide

Read the box

It’s important to understand what your provider has given you before you start the installation. Reading the important information given to you will give you a better understanding of what components you have and what your provider thinks would be the best route to take to get the best results for you.

Check your equipment

The easiest way to determine how many outlets and cables you need to achieve your internet dreams is by drawing a floor plan of each room and pinpointing where your devices are that you want to be connected to the internet. This could be easy for you if your home already has outlets. You would simply need an extended Ethernet cable to reach your desired location.

Turn off the WIFI

How you turn off your WiFi will be determined by the router or modem that you have. So the first step would be to find the location of your router and figure out where the off switch is. In most homes, the router can be plugged in and turned off at the wall. If you can’t figure out how to turn your WiFi off, don’t panic. Simply call your provider and ask them how to turn the router off. You may need to give a serial number for them to give specific instructions, which you will find at the bottom of your device next to the barcode.

Figure out what ports you need

By this step, we mean picking which outlet you need in the room you’re currently in. For instance, if you’re in the kitchen and only require 1 cable for your device, you will only need 1 outlet. Whereas if you were in the living room or an office, you would need more than one outlet for numerous devices to connect to.

Set up your base station

Once you have completed Step 2, you can easily figure out what walls you need to wire your Ethernet cable to and where they need to meet the outlets in each room. Now you need to figure out where your base station is best positioned. Your base station will be where you go to turn your internet on and off, so it should be in an easily accessible area that serves as the heart of the home. If your station is on one side of the house, you will need to wire to the other side of the house. If your station is in the center of the house, Simply put, if you don’t feel comfortable running cables through your walls, you can ask for assistance. then the wiring should be a lot easier to do to reach every corner of the home.

Wire the cable to your desired places

This step is as simple as it sounds. If you don’t feel comfortable running cables through your walls, you can request a floor plan, follow your own instructions, and install the wires. It is recommended that you use EMF shielding wire to protect your cables. There is a less expensive option that works just as well but is not as visually appealing if, for some reason, this entire process just seems too overwhelming or expensive. Many people start out by doing this and then focus on one room at a time. Instead of putting the Ethernet cables inside the walls, this option involves running them from the switch along the baseboards or taping them to the wall or floor. Instead of connecting it to a wall-mounted Ethernet outlet, simply plug one end of the cable into your computer or another device, as it will accomplish the same thing. Again, this won’t appear nearly as polished, but it will function just as well.

Box it off

Ethernet cables should now run live internet to every room in your home that requires it. Now you just need to plug everything in. To connect your computers and other devices to your in-wall Ethernet outlets, go through each room and run Ethernet cables from them. You could also simply plug the ends of the Ethernet cables into your computer, laptop, and other devices if you did not run the cables inside the walls. The next crucial step is to make sure that all of the WiFi or Bluetooth devices that you have Ethernet cables plugged into are turned off. You don’t want them running around looking for WiFi connections all the time. Then, to ensure that your computers and other devices are connected properly, you will want to test them out by performing a ping test.

Other options

Some people find that hardwiring the internet into their homes can be very difficult for them to complete on their own and don’t want to pay someone else to do it either. So there is an alternative you can try that may be beneficial, especially if one of your primary reasons for switching from WiFi is to reduce EMF radiation in your home.

A WiFi guard serves as a shield, continuously blocking the RF radiation that a wireless router emits. These covers are constructed of a metallic screen mesh that blocks 90–98% of radio frequency radiation. By using one, you can reduce your exposure from 100% to just 2–10% and benefit from improved sleep, a stronger immune system, fewer headaches, and more. The WiFi guard is designed to protect your body from radiation emitted by the router without interfering with the performance of your router. However, it has been recorded that using a WiFi guard has reduced the signal throughout the home, depending on the provider and the package you have with them.

Summary

In conclusion, some people believe that installing a hard wire in your home or office will give you the fastest, safest, and most reliable internet option. Placing your WiFi router in a WiFi Router Guard would be a close second if doing so is simply not possible. A WiFi Router Guard is undoubtedly a more affordable option.