When Your Router Isn’t Enough: Custom Home Network Installations

Get Faster Internet & Better Coverage with New Hardware & Firmware  

Unless you live in an apartment or tiny home with only a couple of devices, you’re going to need an internet upgrade! Larger houses with computers, smartphones, smart TVs, and automated devices send and receive a lot of data. Wi-Fi dead zones and dropped connections are frustrating to no end, but luckily, you aren’t stuck with subpar internet forever.  

A custom systems designer, like Hood Branco, installs residential networks that reach every corner of your Napa home. A professional home network installation is much more involved than plugging in a router, but the benefits are undeniable. 

If you're tired of poor Wi-Fi in Napa, CA, learn how our method improves your work and entertainment at home. 

SEE ALSO: What Kind of Home Wi-Fi Network Do I Need?  

Home Networks: The Basics 

A “home network” simply refers to a group of devices connected to the internet. There are two ways to approach connectivity: over a wired network with cables or a wireless network. 

To upgrade your home network, you first need to understand the hardware that makes it all happen: 

• Your modem connects your internet service provider (ISP) to your home, converting analog data into digital. 

• The router sends data to devices in your house, either through wires or wirelessly. 

• Ethernet cables connect devices to the internet.

• Switches can turn one ethernet cable into several. With switches, you can link multiple wired electronics to the internet without clogging the network. 

Designing a Stronger Network 

We find that a mix of wired and wireless networks is the most reliable way to meet internet needs in large-scale residences. For instance, a home theater that relies on a stable internet to stream Netflix or Hulu would be best suited with a wired connection. A home office with a desktop computer could also benefit from wired connectivity. Laptops and tablets obviously need strong Wi-Fi across the house for you to move freely while staying online. 

If it isn’t possible to extend wires to hard-to-reach rooms, we’ll instead connect ethernet cables to wireless access points (WAP), which extends the Wi-Fi signal range further. The WAP allows you to connect technology wirelessly that previously wouldn’t have been in range. 

We also create even layers within the network infrastructure to avoid bottlenecks and traffic. By upgrading router firmware, we manually prioritize certain devices and services, such as your work computer. 

Upgrading to the Latest Hardware 

If you’re still using old networking technology, it’s likely slowing down your network performance. As we acquire more smart home gadgets, our homes now need more support than before. 

We recommend updating modems, routers, and access points to the latest Wi-Fi 6 protocol, which allows your network to send and receive more data with more devices simultaneously. Wi-Fi 6 hardware can still communicate with older Wi-Fi 5 devices, but you’ll enjoy speeds up to 39 percent faster than Wi-Fi 5 with far less congestion. 

Looking for Better Wi-Fi in Napa and Lake Tahoe, CA? 

It’s great to unplug and enjoy the beautiful California nature, but everyone needs a fast and reliable internet connection. Contact Hood Branco, Northern California’s premier home network installer, to design a custom solution for your Napa Valley home. We look forward to helping you soon!