An Always-On home has both a wireless LAN on the inside and fast Internet connectivity on the outside.

So it would seem, on the surface, that a residential gateway (like the 2Wire unit to the left) would be the best route to Always-On. A gateway combines three important elements -- a modem, a router, and a firewall. And its cost can be subsidized by the ISP.

But it turns out there are two big problems with this approach, to wit:

• People don't trust their ISPs.
  
• ISPs don't design gateways with the local network in mind.
  

Thus we have another potential entry point, the router. (Here's an elegant-looking one from Colubris of Canada.)

A router is only concerned with the Local Network. A router can be bought by a consumer directly from the store. A router can be simple, or it can be complex. A router can have everything the gateway has, except the modem.

There are some important differences in your attitude when choosing between a router and a gateway. If you choose a router, you command everything, but you're also entirely responsible for it. If you choose a gateway, both control and responsibility pass to the ISP.

Now for many users the latter view is attractive. If "my Internet broke" call customer service, even if the problem seems to be in your house.

But it doesn't really work that way.

The ISP is going to accept responsibility only for the gateway hardware. They're not going to come out and troubleshoot anything. They're going to sit on the phone, play with their keyboard, push out new firmware, and hope for the best. If not, wait a week and we'll mail you a new unit. Try dealing with that kind of answer if you're telecommuting.

Another important point is the question of who controls the environment. If you get a gateway it's the ISP. They can sell a variety of add-in services, through the gateway, that will improve your Internet experience in various ways. Server-based parental controls, announced by Netopia (and others), is just the first of what will be many service offerings.

When you go the router route, control passes, not so much to you as to the hardware maker. If your wireless router is a 'modular, scalable platform' built on a 'PC operating system' with a 'big kernel' (as I suggest), the hardware maker may then work with its channel on applications.

If they're just selling you a $60 router box that they built for $20 in China, hey, you gets' what you pays for.

It's this battle for control, between the ISPs on the one hand and the router makers (those who are willing) on the other, that will define the World of Always-On for the next two years.

Let's see what happens.