Once installed on the computers within the home, Network Magic 2.0 automatically connects PCs, printers, routers, gateways and networked devices - anything with an IP address - and creates a user-friendly visual map of the network. From the Network Map, home users can manage all of their PCs and devices such as network storage devices and media adaptors, pinpoint network problems and detect unwanted wireless intruders - all on one screen. Network Magic also continuously monitors and displays the connectivity of all devices on each machine and gives users a detailed log of all network activity so network "administrators" know everything that happens on their network - while they were home and away.

The coolest new feature in Network Magic 2.0 is Net2Go. The Net2Go service gives users remote access to the shared files on all PCs in their home from any web browser, no matter where they are. Users get an encrypted password and can also upload to their home networks. In addition, users can remotely view the online status of all the PCs in their home network. With its dynamic DNS service, Net2Go also acts as a personal home web server. It provides a fast and easy way to share photos and files with friends and family via a personal web site without having to upload to a 3rd party website or constantly e-mailing them. Users can view the photos individually as thumbnails or as a slideshow and can download source files for easy printing.

Also, be sure to check out the PowerToys for use with Network Magic. My favorite is the Intruder Blaster which uses MAC address filtering and the network map to kick intruders off my network. Totally cool! When my friends come over with their laptops I can easily grant them access to my wireless network without having to remember a hexadecimal WEP key. Just two clicks (shields down, shields up) and my friend's wireless notebook can access the Internet from my house.