ly through DSL or cable modems), sharing of the Internet connection, and firewall security. In addition, as we progress toward support of advanced multimedia applications, the residential gateway will also interact with the home telephone, entertainment systems, kitchen and home appliances, and the entire new generation of network-enabled devices. At this point, gateway products are in their early stages, and the technical stan- dards are therefore evolving. One important standard is CableLabs CableHome, which has two specifications: CableHome 1.0-The CableHome 1.0 specification achieved international standardization in 2002 as ITU document J.191. CableHome 1.0 provides for handoff, authentication, and provisioning of the gateway; secure remote management and configuration; home device visibility and connectivity tests; cable and application-friendly address translation; protection of the cable network from in-home traffic; firewall management and rule set downloading; and local name service. CableHome 1.1-In 2004, the CableHome 1.1 specification also gained international standardization, as the ITU-approved document J.192. CableHome 1.1 introduced features requested by cable operators, allowing them to enhance their home networking service offerings. CableHome 1.1 improves on the features available in CableHome 1.0 and adds gateway security features; standardized prioritized QoS for HANs; support for home servers, teleworkers, and home offices; simple parental control; and LAN management messaging and LAN IP statistics monitoring. Planning for the Future of HANs HANs are becoming a fundamental aspect of a person's residence, and they will become more functional and important as we go forward into the realm of interac- tive and mobile multimedia lifestyles. In considering HANs, it is important to plan for the future. You need to plan and install an infrastructure designed to address today's needs, and you also need to understand that tomorrow you will need support much more advanced applications and a greater ran