The Cox home network starts with a wireless gateway. A wireless gateway is a cable modem and wireless router built into one device. The router distributes the signal to multiple devices to share the connection, files, printers and/or Internet-ready game consoles. The router also acts as a firewall to protect your home network and files from outsiders. Wired gateways are also available and have the same security protections.

Wireless gives you the most freedom and flexibility. Do you have a laptop you bring home from work? Are your home devices portable or spread around the house? Do you want to move a computer to an area where the isn't a cable connection already? These are just a few of the reasons why wireless connectivity continues in popularity. Wireless is unbeatable in these fast-paced times of multi-tasking. It’s handy to be able to use your laptop from your sofa, kitchen table or patio, rather than being confined to a room near the modem and cable outlet.

The typical range of a wireless network is up to 300 feet. With a wireless Home Network from Cox, you can connect several computers and devices in your home. Occasionally, a wireless signal extender (at additional charge) may be needed in very large homes or when the signal must penetrate thick walls.

Networking your computers and other devices allows you to connect them to the Internet at the same time and to share files and hardware, such as printers. A network also makes it easy to move information from one computer to another (especially very large files that don’t fit on a floppy or Zip disk). For most households who use their PCs for everyday computing tasks, none of the PCs should experience a noticeable slowdown in speed with either a wired or a wireless home network. Wireless equipment has transmit rates of up to 11Mbps… more than enough to handle everyday computing tasks, like e-mail, web surfing, file sharing and downloading music. However, if you plan to use your network for graphic intensive applications or intensive file swapping, a wired home network can improve overall performance.