Survey Network Solutions
In order to decide the best way to create the tool a survey of existing literature and alternative solutions was carried out. These helped to correctly orientate the projects scope and provide inspiration. This allowed a full and wide understanding of the users requirements and therefore more likely to create an end-product which satisfies all the objectives of the artefact. The publications and solutions surveyed where all produced with the aim of helping the end-user set-up and use a network, they include:
- Router Manuals
- Quick Start-up Guides
- Magazine Articles
- Journal Publications
- and other literature.
Network Magic Pro (Pure Networks 2008) is a piece of software which claims to make home networking easy. It does this by simplifying and automating set up, management, and the repair of home and small office networks. Upon surveying the software I found that it does this by ‘taking-over' the windows zero configuration service and delegates all networking tasks to itself. In addition to be fully useful to the end user it must be installed on all computers within the network. Overcoming this first hurdle however it does simplify the task of network configuration somewhat.
It provides the user with automatic access to the router settings within the network and offers to configure it for you. This is a very good idea as most people simply are not sure how to access settings within their network. I however could not get this to work - even after checking firewall and other permissions and even carrying out installation on other computers.
This apparent problem prevented around 80% of the application working (as it needs router access to configure things for you). However the application concept and design has provided some useful ideas which can greatly improve networking tasks for those with little knowledge such as:
- Automatic configuration (and access to) your wireless router
- A network map to allow you to visualise your network
- Information such as current IP Address
- Links for extra help (even telephone support)
As a basis to find out what publications are mostly within the public eye I used the Amazon website (Amazon 2007) to find the highest selling residential gateway devices. The manuals of these gateways were then read to determine what information what included and (more crucially) what was left out. These devices are usually the central point in any home network so any literature packaged with the best sellers is likely to be a representative sample of what is available today.
Manuals are designed to present the end user with the knowledge required to use their networking product.
Manuals studied from the following best selling residential gateways were:
Linksys Wireless G
Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54
Netgear DG834G
BT Voyager 2110
The manuals were ranked based on how much (or little) they gave on explanation of key words which require understanding in order to fully utilise the features that particular residential gateway offers.
A full narrative of each manual is available in the appendix.
The Linksys Wireless G manual (hard copy in appendices)
Key Knowledge expected by the manual:
- Encryption methods (WEP & WPA)
- Different wireless modes
- DHCP
- Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE)
- DNS Address
- IP Addresses (both static and dynamically assigned)
- Subnet masks
- ...and default gateways
Obviously a lot has been left out of this manual however it does have some features I should take notice of:
- Telling the user the minimum information needed
- Based on a wider spectrum of simple set-up - also when as far as router positioning
Write a bit more about this manual here
The Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 (Buffalo 2006)
Key Knowledge Expected by the manual:
- DSL
- Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet
- SSID
- IP Addresses
- Ethernet network cable
- …and network adapters (NICs)
Again a lot of key information has been left out of this manual. Here are its features:
- Pictures with arrows indicating how connections are made
- Explanations of where more information can be found
- Step-by-step configuration of client computers
The manual overall is easy to follow and takes the reader step-by-step through steps required to set up their router. It has plenty of features and is succinct and to the point.
The Netgear DG834G (Netgear 2007)
Key Knowledge Expected:
- DSL Microfilters
- …nothing else!
This manual is very good as it explains every last detail to the reader. Guide features:
- Explanation about the whole installation - not just the actual router
- Very short and to the point
- Few pictures
This manual is fully featured and provides explanation about the whole installation procedure. For example it explains how to install a phone in conjunction with the router, this is the only manual to do this. It is also very succinct and to the point with some simple diagrams. This manual seems to get a good balance between the needs for novices and experts. Also the headings are easy to read and can be skipped if you already understand that process.
The BT Voyager 2110 (BT 2007)
Key knowledge expected:
- …NONE
This is a very impressive manual as it is packaged in the form of a windows help file and is therefore separated into sections. All major technologies are explained and as it is computerised follows a more ‘dynamic' approach
Features contained in the guide:
- Windows help file instead of the traditional manual
- Only required information is shown - users are able to show and hide information as it is relevant
- Enables users to create a larger user guide without any extra physical medium
In addition to surveying the most popular router manuals available I studied journal articles to find any existing publications or solutions available that already solves this problem.
Electronic journals
ACM publications
Other guides
A pamphlet explaining how to set up wireless in a McDonalds restaurant
Articles from computer magazines
Find something more
Questionnaire
To establish knowledge of the general public
Key knowledge
The questionnaire can be found in the appendix.
A 100 people have been surveyed on an opportunity based sampling technique (people were selected by chance) and asked to complete the questionnaire. User participation was anonymous (how do I test artefact on them?!). Answers were collated and the mean, minimum, maximum, and range where calculated for both correct and incorrect answers.
References:
Amazon.co.uk. 2007. Wireless Routers - Networking & Connectivity: Electronics & Photo [Online]. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_n_13?ie=UTF8&rs=900870&rh=n%3A560798%2Cn%3A262739011%2Cn%3A561904%2Cn%3A900870%2Cn%3A296752011 [accessed 3 December 2007]
BT., 2007. BT Voyager 2110 User Guide. [Online Software]. Available at: http://www.voyager.bt.com/wireless_devices/voyager_2110/downloads/BT Voyager 2110 userguide.zip [accessed 23 December 2007]
Buffalo Technology Ltd., 2006. Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 Quick Setup Guide. [Online]. Buffalo Technology Ltd. Available at: http://www.buffalo-technology.com/files/downloads/WHR-HP-G54_QSG_EU.pdf [accessed 21 December 2007]
Netgear®., 2007. Installation Guide. [Online]. Netgear®. Available at: http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/dg834g_install_guide.pdf#xml=http://kbserver.netgear.com/inquira/default.asp?ui_mode=answer&prior_transaction_id=354464&action_code=6&highlight_info=352321586,0,28&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fkbserver.netgear.com%2Fpdf%2Fdg834g_install_guide.pdf&answer_id=33463225 [accessed 23 December 2007]
Pure Networks., 2008. Network Magic - Set up and Manage Your Home Network with One Easy Application. [Online]. Pure Networks, Inc. Available at: http://www.networkmagic.com/ [accessed 1 March 2007]
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