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Check the warranty and the support options. All networking gear should come with comprehensive documentation, easy-to-follow setup instructions, at least one year of warranty coverage, and--because networking can be complicated--toll-free phone support (extra points if it's available 24/7).
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Don't mix and match wireless standards. Networking devices have to speak the same language and use a common physical medium to work best together. So if your gift recipient's network is 802.11g, stay away from buying 802.11a-only devices.
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Avoid products with different security features. Most new wireless products will support both WEP and WPA encryption, which we strongly recommend. To talk to one another on a secure network, all devices must use the same encryption scheme, so double-check before you buy.
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Don't let security ruin the fun. Ironclad security is great, but a firewall can also keep your friends from playing games or setting up servers. Make sure the router you buy includes a DMZ and a port-forwarding feature so that its users can make the most out of the Internet.
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Don't mix and match gear from different vendors. You'll often find bells and whistles on networking products that increase throughput or give you access to special features. Such extras aren't typically standards-based and often work only if all of the devices carry the same brand name.
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Leave some room to grow. Networks have a way of growing, so it's always good to have a variety of expansion options. Multiple Ethernet ports and WDS, or wireless distribution system, support will help you future-proof a network.
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Steer clear of a network that gets in the way. Ethernet equipment is fast, but it also requires the recipient to run cables through the house. Wireless gear solves this problem, but it might interfere with other wireless devices in the home or the office. Make sure that the gear you buy is right for the space.
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Don't be afraid to be sexy. Pick a router with a design and a color scheme that will blend into your--of your giftee's--crib. If networking gear simply doesn't figure into the interior design scheme, choose a router with a built-in bracket that will make it easy to mount on a wall or hide behind a bookshelf or a sofa.
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Don't blow your cover. Buy a router that lets you turn off its beacon. Beacons periodically advertise a router's presence so that client devices know that they're there. Get a router that lets you disable the beacon so that you can fly under the radar and go undetected by snoops.
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Be a nice neighbor. Buy your broadband service from a provider that doesn't mind if you share your connection.
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