So you’ve secured your router and optimized your home network for seamless connectivity across all your devices. But why stop at just browsing the internet? Your interconnected gadgets can do so much more. This guide explores nine practical ways to leverage your home network to its full potential.
Advanced sharing settings
Effortless File Sharing Across Your Devices
Sharing files between devices on your home network should be simple. Forget USB sticks and external hard drives! While recent Windows versions have introduced some complexities with Microsoft accounts and Windows Hello, setting up file sharing is still achievable, especially if you frequently transfer files between multiple computers without relying on additional software.
Navigating to the file sharing settings has changed. You’ll find them under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. Expand the Private networks section and enable File and printer sharing. Remember to set your home network as Private in Network & internet settings for this to work correctly.
Creating a local account specifically for file sharing simplifies the process. In Settings > Accounts > Other users, add a new local account with a password. This dedicated account minimizes disk space usage. Choose the default account type, not administrator.
Sharing specific folders requires enabling sharing permissions. Right-click the desired folder, select Properties, go to the Sharing tab, and click Share. Choose the newly created file sharing account.
Protocol and ports
If connection issues arise, Windows Firewall might be blocking the necessary ports. To resolve this, open Windows Security, go to Firewall & network protection > Advanced settings > Inbound Rules. Create a new rule for port 445 (TCP) and allow the connection on your Private network.
Simplified Printer Sharing Within Your Network
Sharing a printer connected to one computer allows other devices on the network to print seamlessly. In Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select the printer to share, open Printer properties, navigate to the Sharing tab, and check Share this printer. Consider renaming the printer for easier identification on the network.
Printer sharing
Adding a shared printer to another Windows computer involves going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and clicking Add a device. The shared printer should appear. For Mac, the setting resides in System Preferences > Printers and Scanners. Android users can typically add printers through Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Options > Printing.
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iOS requires AirPrint compatibility. If your printer lacks this, consider installing an AirPrint server on your computer.
Centralized Storage with a NAS Device
For homes with multiple devices, a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device offers a centralized hub for backups, shared files, and more. Popular brands like Synology, Asustor, Qnap, and Terramaster offer NAS devices with user-friendly operating systems and various add-ons.
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NAS devices typically support RAID configurations for redundancy, protecting your data in case of a hard drive failure. However, remember that RAID is not a substitute for a proper backup. Back up your NAS to a separate external drive for comprehensive data protection.
Three Key Uses for Your NAS
1. Centralized File Server
A NAS provides a readily accessible location for storing large files, freeing up space on individual computers. Archive photos, videos, and surveillance camera recordings on your NAS for convenient access.
2. Robust Backup Server
Implement the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of your data, on two different media types, with one copy offsite. A NAS simplifies backing up all your devices using backup software like Arq Backup or Duplicati.
Synology Drive
3. Your Personal Private Cloud
Avoid subscription-based cloud storage services by creating your own private cloud with your NAS. Synology’s Drive software offers easy setup and cross-platform compatibility.
Repurposing an Old Computer as a Home Server
An old computer can be transformed into a versatile home server. While a dedicated server or NAS might be more power-efficient in the long run, an old PC offers a cost-effective way to experiment with server functionalities.
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1. Stream Media with Plex or Jellyfin
Computers with Intel Quick Sync Video (6th generation or later) can function as media servers, streaming movies and TV shows to devices throughout your home using Plex or Jellyfin.
Jellyfin
2. Host a Minecraft Server
Easily set up a Minecraft server on an old computer with a modern Java installation. Numerous online guides provide detailed instructions.
Minecraft
3. Create a File Server
Transform your old computer into a file server with multiple hard drives, similar to a NAS, for shared storage and backups. Using Linux and the ZFS file system can offer performance and security advantages.
4. Build a Smart Home Hub with Home Assistant
While a Raspberry Pi is ideal for this, an old computer can run Home Assistant, either as the primary operating system or within a virtual machine using Virtualbox or VMware Workstation. Note that USB functionality might be limited in virtual machines, impacting Zigbee/Z-wave device compatibility.
Home Assistant
By exploring these options, you can transform your home network from a simple internet gateway into a powerful and versatile platform for file sharing, media streaming, gaming, smart home control, and much more.