We live in a world where it's easy to take 24-hour connectivity for granted. Our home Wi-Fi networks and cellular phones offer constant wireless access, so we expect the same of our smart home systems. Although they are also wireless and easy to use, selecting the right wireless smart home system requires careful planning. The process is not as simple as selecting a wireless network router for home computers.
How Home Automation Systems Differ from Wi-Fi
Most Wi-Fi systems use a basic router provided by the local telephone company. Home automation systems typically use a combination of networks called a mesh network. Although it may seem like this would cause conflicts and a poor user experience, the opposite is actually true. Each device powered by a mesh network makes the entire system stronger. When many devices are installed via a mesh network, it helps to resolve issues such as reliability, distance, and interference.
Some homeowners choose to install only one type of network protocol while others rely on several compatible types. When installing a home automation system, people must use caution to ensure that their devices will work with a particular brand. The simplest way to overcome this potential obstacle is to choose a smart home hub. This is a central processing system for all of the home's devices. By choosing this option, homeowners enable the device to talk to several different types of networks. Another way to make the process go soother is to choose devices known to be compatible with the smart home hub.