New technologies take the network home

Home networks are considered to be one of the computer industry's hottest markets. Although home networking is still in its early stages, a number of trends have made this technology important. In response to this trend and the availability of a potentially lucrative untapped market, companies developed technologies for low-cost, easy-to-use home networks. Early home networks are restricted to low-speed technologies or traditional LANs, which are too difficult for most consumers to install and maintain. However, this is changing because of new, faster, easier-to-use home networking approaches, enabled in part by more powerful and less expensive processor technology.