Home network setup requirements | Broadband tips – Virgin Media
What do I need for my connected home?
You don’t need much kit to set up your home network – and you certainly don’t need to be an IT expert to do it. We’ll show you what you need to get surfing like a pro.
|
Ethernet |
Network |
Broadband |
Wireless |
Wireless |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Going wired |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Going wireless |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Going wired
- An Ethernet cable – which is the piece of cable that comes with your Virgin Media Hub or Super Hub that connects it to your computer. This is often a yellow cable with two ends that look exactly the same.
- A network adapter – you’ll need this for every computer you want to connect. It allows your computer to send information along your network. Luckily, most newer computers have one already.
- A Virgin Media Hub or Super Hub – you’ll need one of these to connect your devices to the web – and each other – at the same time.
Going wireless
- A Virgin Media Hub or Super Hub.
- A wireless network adapter – for each device you want to connect to your network. Most devices have one already so you probably won't need to worry about this.
More about wireless routers…
Wireless routers like our Hub and Super Hub let you connect lots of devices to the web using a wired or wireless connection. They’ve come a long way in the last few years and, although they’re still not as fast as a wired connection, they let you go faster and connect more devices than ever before.
Type of wireless router
You might hear people talking about Wireless N, G or B technology. These are different wireless protocols, which determine the speed of the wireless router and its range. The latest technology is called Wireless N, which, as you can see below is by far the fastest available right now (our Hubs and Super Hubs use N technology).
|
Wireless technology |
Speed |
Time to download a 1GB movie (approximately) |
|---|---|---|
|
B |
Up to 11Mb |
11.5 minutes |
|
G |
Up to 54Mb |
2.5 minutes |
|
A |
Up to 54Mb |
2.5 minutes |
|
N |
Up to 600Mb |
30 seconds |
The Virgin Media Hub and Super Hub
Our wireless broadband routers are called the Virgin Media Hub and Virgin Media Super Hub (which one you get depends on your broadband package.) You simply connect your Hub to your broadband connection and it’ll give you a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both.
Extending your network
Powerline adapters are perfect for homes that have spots where a wireless connection just won’t reach. They plug straight into your sockets and use the electrical wiring in your home to send a signal from your Super Hub to those hard-to-reach devices.