What is Wireless Networking?
It is a type of networking technology that allows computers to
communicate with other computers (as well as other wireless-equipped
devices) without using cables. Instead, wireless networking uses
radio signals to receive and transmit data between wireless access
points and wireless network cards operating on the 2.4 GHz frequency
band.
Each wireless device exchanges signals with an Access Point, also
called a Router. Access points, in turn, communicate with other
network devices. An Access Point is typically a piece of hardware,
but solutions are also available that allow a computer with a
wireless card to act as an Access Point.
Setting Up a Home Wireless Network:
First, you will need to choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Many ISP's offer a flat rate service while others may charge an
hourly rate. In either case, choose one that makes sense for your
needs. If you currently have a wired connection, you can inquire with
your current ISP, they may provide wireless services as well.
You will need to purchase a wireless 802.11b wireless broadband
router. Most routers will connect to a broadband modem, a 10/100
Ethernet backbone, or wireless network. They typically support a
range of 300 feet indoors and 1,500 feet outdoors. When placing your
router, keep in mind that walls, water pipes, cables or anything that
could produce interference can decrease your range. Try to keep to a
range of around 150 feet. This will create a greater throughput (A
measure of the data transfer rate through a typically complex
communications system or of the data-processing rate in a computer
system).
Now it is time to install the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
card into your desktop computer. Many of the newer laptops come
equipped with mobile technology so the need for additional cards may
not be necessary.
Next, turn off your broadband connection device and your PC. Then
unplug the cable from your broadband device (Ethernet cable) and plug
it into a Local Area Network (LAN) port on the back of the wireless
broadband router. Keep the other end connected to your PC.
You are now ready to connect a second Ethernet cable between your
wired broadband modem's Ethernet port and the wireless broadband
router's Wide Area Network (WAN) port. Once all connections are made,
turn the modem on and wait for the status lights to indicate that
it's communicating with your ISP. Be patient, this may take a few
moments.
Now you can plug in the wireless broadband router. The status lights
will blink as it performs a self diagnostic check (this also may take
a few moments). Once the lights stop blinking, indicating that
everything is working properly, you can turn on your wired PC.
Next, refer to the router's printed quick-start guide, launch your
Web browser, and type in the address indicated in the guide. Follow
the on-screen setup wizard, which should guide you step by step
through the process. It is important to note that the default SSID
(Service Set Identifier) number is often set to 101, so you should
change it to a different number to ensure that your wireless
connection remains secure. Hackers know many of the default SSID's.
By default, encryption is not enabled. Encryption is important,
because hackers equipped with the necessary devices can sniff the
packets transmitted by the wireless network, thereby compromising
your data. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a protocol used for
encrypting packets on a wireless network. It uses a 64-bit (or 256-
bit, depending on the vendor) shared key algorithm. Using WEP will
increase the protection on your data, but doing so will reduce the
effective data rates.
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