Setting Up a Wireless Network
Setting Up a Wireless Network
Do you have a laptop that you would love to use in the kitchen? Did you get a new computer for the den or home office and have a hand-me-down for the kids? Do you have multiple computers in your home or business, but shudder at the idea of drilling holes in the walls and running cable under the building or through the attic? Then you need a “wireless” or Wi-Fi network in your home.
Setting up a Wi-Fi network is a snap for computer and networking professionals and probably three or four snaps for the home or office power user. Either way, having a little knowledge of how Wi-Fi works will ensure all of your “wireless” computers get a dependable connection.
A Wi-Fi network has two basic components – an access point and an adapter to communicate with the access point. The access point is the base station sending out data signals that other computers on the network with a wireless adapter can receive and return. For a home or small business network, a wireless router allows you to mix both wired and wireless computers together on your network and provides a firewall that hides all of the computers attached to it. The router connects to your cable, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or wireless ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) modem.
Adapters come in a variety of styles. For a desktop/tower computer that will be wireless, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) expansion card needs to be installed. A notebook/ laptop needs either a wireless PC card (previously known as a PCMCIA card), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) wireless adapter. Some notebooks/laptops come with a built in wireless adapter.
Mixing routers and adapters from different manufactures is generally not a problem, since Wi-Fi certification ensures compatibility. We would recommend that you choose equipment from the same manufactures whenever possible so that you only have one tech support line to call.
Router placement is something you need to consider. Distance, obstructions (like fireplaces, concrete walls), wireless telephones, kitchen appliances and antenna capabilities all affect wireless data signal reception and transmission. Aesthetics is another consideration. Having a router and your ISP’s modem in the formal living room may not be in keeping with your décor. Keeping your router and modem near your primary computer makes it easy to check on your ISP status.
Loading your router software into your primary computer is the next step. Insert the software CD that came with your router in your DVD or CD drive and follow the instructions. Don’t hook up the router to the modem or computer, until the installation wizard tells you to. Check with your ISP to determine your Internet connection type. Point-to Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) is common for DSL customers but you could also have a static or dynamic IP (Internet Protocol) address. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) allows the router to manage addresses automatically, and is typical for cable and wireless ISP customers. When asked to enter an SSID (Service Set Identifier) name, choose a unique long name (14 to 32 letters and/or numbers in length). Encryption is a personal choice. If you select encryption, use the highest level available and ensure you write down the string of characters because you will have to configure all of your wireless adapters with that same number later.
On each computer or laptop that you don’t intend to connect to the router with Ethernet cables, you need to install a wireless adapter. Like the router, install the software that came with the adapter first, then when the installation wizard tells you to, hook up the adapter. (This step is not necessary for laptops that have a built in wireless adapter). Your adapter’s software will walk you through the configuration. If you chose to use encryption, enter that string of characters you wrote down previously from the router installation when you are in the security configuration area. After installing and configuring the adapter software, you can access the Internet
wirelessly. ■
Steven Grubb is the owner of Medford Computer. For more information, call 541.776.2373 or visit their web site at www.medfordcomputer.com.
