All Articles Tagged Networking

Bjørn Jensen | 05/09 09:53 AM, 11 Comments

Wireless networking is a regular fact of life for residential installers today, but there are many potential pitfalls to the ubiquitous, routine work. Here’s a look at some of those risks and how to avoid them. 1. Don’t ever put the Wireless Access Points (WAPs) on the same channel (unless you have a single cell architecture) if they are close enough to each other to create interference It gets easier to find open channels when using 5GHz (for now until 802.11ac), but when using 2.4GHz ranges you must remember that… View this story

CE Pro Editors | 05/08 01:03 PM, 0 Comments

Designing and installing robust, secure home networks is more important than ever. In many cases, it’s the linchpin to the customer experience. And it appears CE pros are cognizant of this: 21 percent of CE Pro 100 integrators say home networking is their fastest growing product category, including Dennis Sage Home Entertainment, No. 68 on the CE Pro 100, which says “owning the network” is its biggest opportunity. “Home automation and the custom installation market, in general, have quickly evolved the last few years from proprietary to IP-based communication,” says… View this story

CE Pro Editors | 05/02 08:36 AM, 0 Comments

Technology and demand for telepresence are increasing within the residential space, as 3.1 million people (not including the self-employed or unpaid volunteers) consider home their primary place of work, according to a Global Workplace Analytics report entitled “The State of Telework in the U.S.” CEDIA is keeping members on the forefront of this opportunity by offering a new white paper to guide home technology professionals in the installation of these high performance systems. As technologies have evolved, video communications have moved from a static, blurry, delayed video conferencing system to… View this story

CE Pro Editors | 04/30 07:38 AM, 0 Comments

St. Louis-based distributor Skywalker has announced the signing of a North American distribution agreement with Luxul, marking its first move into offering networking products. “For years, Skywalker has been providing technical assistance for products requiring networking. For example, our own surveillance product line, Retina. The most common technical support issues are unstable or unreliable networks, resulting in an increased number of technical support calls,” says Bill Huffman, vice president of customer care at Skywalker. “We have been actively pursuing a lineup of networking products specifically geared to the custom integrator.… View this story

Michael Maniscalco | 03/27 06:00 AM, 0 Comments

Many integrators now offer remote network monitoring and management as a base tier of client care programs. By establishing these service programs, integrators are setting themselves up to “own” the network, ensuring the core of today’s integrated system is functioning properly. This service leads to better performance, increased reliability, cost savings for the customer, and increased efficiency for the integrator. Curious about what these remote network management packages actually do? In terms of systems monitoring and alerting, here are the 16 key processes and components that should be monitored. Processes… View this story

Jason Knott | 03/07 12:08 PM, 0 Comments

Access Networks has expanded its offering to include the value-added distribution of Ruckus Wireless products. This new model allows integrators to purchase pre-programmed Ruckus Wireless products at VAR pricing and was soft-launched at CEDIA Expo 2012 to a select dealer base. After a successful trial period, Access Networks’ value added distribution program is now nationally available to integrators in the CE space. Access Networks will deliver Ruckus products updated to the latest firmware release and pre-programmed with a stock configuration. This allows integrators to deploy a Ruckus Wireless solution in… View this story

Jason Knott | 01/25 12:23 PM, 1 Comment

Belkin has entered into an agreement to acquire Cisco’s Home Networking Business Unit, including the Linksys brand, for an undisclosed amount. Belkin, a private company based in Playa Vista, Calif., with operations and sales in more than 100 countries, intends to maintain the Linksys brand and will offer support for Linksys products as part of this transaction. Linksys’ main office is located in Irvine, Calif. All valid warranties will be honored by Belkin for current and future Linksys products. After the transaction closes, Belkin will account for approximately 30 percent… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 01/21 10:40 AM, 0 Comments

Each year we assemble a list of trends that represent big opportunities for CE pros, and present them in our annual State of the Industry Report. Here are the Top 5 Home Technology Opportunities for 2013. Enterprise Grade Home Networks: No Longer Just an Attachment Sale By Julie Jacobson Most CE pros install home networks as an obligatory piece of an integrated solution, but now integrators are turning these systems into profit centers. The secret is in selling enterprise-grade networking gear, the likes of which are found in office buildings… View this story

Jason Knott | 01/09 10:01 AM, 0 Comments

Imagine Ford, GM and Chrysler sharing a booth at an auto show. That’s what it’s like seeing three competing home automation/networking technology Alliances - Wi-Fi, Multimedia Over Coax (MoCA) and HomePlug - sharing a 20x50-foot booth in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at CES 2013. “We have always talked with each other and we all get along,” says Rob Gelphman, VP of marketing and member relations for MoCA. “We are all three under the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) umbrella.” The three Alliances, which have 650… View this story

Julie Jacobson | 11/20 09:04 AM, 2 Comments

What are the top technologies for the home in 2013? Each year we assemble a list of trends that represent big opportunities for CE pros, and present them in our annual State of the Industry report in the January CES issue of CE Pro. The Top 5 Home Technology Opportunities for 2013 are: 1. Wireless Audio Sonos has dominated the wireless audio category forever, both in DIY and integrator channels. Throughout 2012 we saw a huge number of product introductions in this category, and at CEDIA Expo in September, virtually… View this story