User's Manual

137
Selecting a network connection
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Assessing your connection needs
To select the type of network that will work best for you, consider how you
will use your network.
HPNA
An HPNA network is appropriate if:
■ Your home, small office, or home office has a telephone jack with the
same telephone number in each room that has a device you want to
connect
■ You have several Windows-based computers that are used for drive
sharing, printing to a single printer, or surfing the Internet
■ Your notebook computer has one of the following:
■ An HPNA jack for connecting to a telephone jack
■ A USB port to connect to a HPNA adapter
■ Cost savings is more important than network speed
■ Your connection speed needs are less than 10000 Kbps (see “Comparing
data transfer speed” on page 139)
Ethernet
An Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network is appropriate if:
■ You are building a new home or your existing home already has Ethernet
cable installed in each room that has a device you want to connect
■ You are creating a network in an office or business
■ Network speed is more important than cost savings
■ You have a combination of Windows-based computers and
non-Windows-based computers that are used for drive sharing, printing
to a single printer, or surfing the Internet
■ Your notebook computer has an Ethernet jack for connecting to the
network