| Wireless networking allows you to easily | | | | terms you may come up againt. |
| share your Internet access as well as | | | | |
| printers, and media, very easily without | | | | - SSID - this is your networks name. Choose |
| wires. Setting up a wireless network is | | | | something unique, as generally it will come |
| generally very easy and it is becoming more | | | | up with the manufacturer of the router name. |
| and more commonplace to do this in your home | | | | When you try and search for the router with |
| or small office. The great thing about | | | | your computer you will want to identify which |
| wireless networking is the fact you can add | | | | name represents you own router. |
| wireless functionality to your existing | | | | |
| network. | | | | - WEP or WPA is the type of security |
| | | | encryption to prevent other people accessing |
| If you intend to use wireless networking it | | | | your Internet connection. WPA will generally |
| is advisable to have windows XP service pack | | | | allow you to use a memorable word to user a |
| 2 as a minimum. Whilst this is not absolutely | | | | password whilst WEP is more a randomly |
| essential it can make things much easier when | | | | generated bunch of numbers and letter. |
| connecting to wireless networks and also a | | | | |
| few security issues have been fixed with this | | | | - Administrator Password - this is just the |
| service pack | | | | password to actually access the |
| | | | administration of your router. Unless someone |
| The first stage to setting up a wireless | | | | has already got a connection to your router |
| network is to obtain the correct equipment. | | | | they will be unable to change settings. If |
| There are several different options, | | | | you do use a password here, make sure it is |
| depending on your current setup. If you | | | | something memorable as it is quite possible |
| currently use a cable based provided then you | | | | that you will not have to access the admin, |
| just need a broadband router, however, if you | | | | once setup, for a very long time. |
| currently use the more common ADSL style | | | | |
| broadband suppliers (common here in the UK) | | | | Now your router is all set up we need to |
| then you will need to ensure you purchase the | | | | understand how to connect a computer to the |
| router with the ADSL modem built in. The | | | | network. This is very easy to do. If you have |
| router will now connect to the Internet for | | | | wireless technology built into your computer |
| you and allow other devices to connect to it | | | | then ensure it is switched on. If you |
| wirelessly. If you were previously used to | | | | haven't, insert your wireless device into the |
| having to go to a dial up connection - you | | | | relevant port. |
| now no longer need to do this as as soon as | | | | |
| your computer connects to the router - you | | | | You should have a wireless icon in the bottom |
| will automatically be connected to the | | | | left hand corner by the clock. Right click |
| Internet. | | | | here and search for wireless networks in |
| | | | range. |
| To connect your wireless router should be | | | | |
| straight forward enough. If you use the CD | | | | In the box that comes up you should see a |
| that comes with the router it will quickly | | | | list of the networks in your area that your |
| guide you through the setup. The basics are | | | | computer has detected. Being wireless |
| to plug your existing modem into the router | | | | technology is so popular these days it is |
| if you are on a cable system, or disconnected | | | | common to see several different routers in |
| your previous broadband modem and input your | | | | here from neighbours. |
| settings into the new router. You should have | | | | |
| indicator lights advising you of the routers | | | | Within this list you should see the name that |
| status. These vary from router to router so | | | | you previously inputted as you SSID. Double |
| refer to your instructions provided. | | | | click this. You should now be prompted for |
| | | | either your WEP or WPA key - enter this. |
| As previously mentioned, the CD that comes | | | | |
| with the router is often the best way to | | | | You should now be connected. Go ahead and |
| quickly create a secure active wireless | | | | load your preferred Internet browser. You |
| network. However, if you are like me, you may | | | | should be able to surf to any given page. - |
| want to explore the settings of the router to | | | | Congratulations - You have successfully |
| configure it yourself. Here are some common | | | | configured your wireless network! |