| Today in the year 2008, In the United kingdom, | | | | internet via router, the client computers must be |
| broadband take up is increasing sharply and some | | | | set up to obtain their network addresses from |
| anecdotal evidence can be garnered from the | | | | the router. |
| fact that there is virtually no marketing of dialup | | | | DHCP really simplifies the set up off networks of |
| internet connection offer, substantively all internet | | | | all sizes, however, it also makes it a lot easier for |
| service providers market only their broadband | | | | an uninvited interloper to join your wireless |
| services. Generally, most ISPs provide wireless | | | | network, particularly where the wep encryption |
| routers as standard for all fixed land line ADSL | | | | option has not been taken up. Essentially, any |
| broadband connections. ISPs generally offer | | | | computer configured to accept wireless network |
| slightly different connection packages to small | | | | connections automatically, might be able to join |
| businesses and these packages do often include a | | | | your network. This could , potentially, give the |
| free wireless touter. The primary use of wireless | | | | interloper full access to the computer files of |
| routers issued by the ISPs is internet connection | | | | every computer on your wireless network. |
| sharing. Thus a single broadband connection in a | | | | Manual IP Setup: Most routers can be configured |
| household or office could be shared by several | | | | to use manually assigned computer addresses or |
| computers within the range of that router. | | | | IP addresses. These fixed IPs are substantively |
| Setup for your router will usually offer the | | | | harder to configure and are my preferred option |
| services of an automated setup procedure or | | | | for small wireless networks. This is not a viable |
| wizard to take you through the setup procedure. | | | | option unless you do have considerable technical |
| If you obtained a package that doesn't include | | | | knowledge of network setup. The benefits include |
| setup by trained technician, then you should opt | | | | the fact that interlopers have to work quite a bit |
| for the wizard unless you and completely familiar | | | | harder to break into such a network. |
| with network setup procedures.wep protection | | | | Nevertheless , a fully secured network is probably |
| with hexadecimal key: These days, most routers | | | | an impossible setup to achieve. |
| are based on the wi fi standards and these | | | | Shared Folders: In a residential network, its unlikely |
| routers come with wep encryption . Your setup | | | | that you will need to have shared folders, thus |
| wizard will give you the option of using wep | | | | ensure that all shared folders are disconnected. In |
| encryption on most wifi routers. Accept this | | | | a work environment where shared folders are |
| option and then invent a hexadecimal key as | | | | necessary, a structured permissions regime will be |
| instructed by the wizard. In the UK, most routers | | | | required to secure your files and folders. |
| support the 64 bit hexadecimal key. This requires | | | | Unprotected shared folders can be accessed by |
| you to make up a 10 digit number made up of | | | | unwanted network interlopers who have the skills |
| alphabets and numbers , numbers being from 0 to | | | | to do so. The use of all the available means of |
| 9. This key once input by you must be written | | | | folder protection would discourage all but the |
| down because you will need to input this key in | | | | most determined interloper. A failure to observe |
| every computer wishing to share that wireless | | | | simple security methods like this has been known |
| internet access. The wep encryption is essentially | | | | to undermine the security of many networks, |
| password protection for your wireless network. | | | | wired and wireless. |
| As long as you don't divulge your wireless key to | | | | I addition to the fairly fundamental issues already |
| people who shouldn't have it, your wireless | | | | addressed other things to bear in mind will include |
| network will be solidly defended against casual | | | | the need to power cycle your router occasionally. |
| intruders. | | | | This means switching off the router for up to 5 |
| Without wep protection, without any other kind of | | | | minutes. If you find that you're unable to access |
| wireless encryption, your wireless network would | | | | the internet while the router is operational, a |
| be as secure as a roadside cafe wireless hotspot, | | | | power cycle of your router will often resolve the |
| that is open to all computers equiped to use it. | | | | problem, it not call your technical support team. |
| DHCP: Most networks are configured using dhcp | | | | Wireless routers are based on radio signal |
| servers. The Dynamic Host Configuration | | | | technology, so just like with TV and radio, |
| Protocol(DHCP) server assigns network addresses | | | | reception can be bad in places. Experiment with |
| to all computers using a network, and automates | | | | your wireless routers position till you achieve the |
| what would otherwise be a really complex part of | | | | best results possible. Your router will always install |
| network set up. Most wifi routers come pre | | | | a signal strength indicator on your computer |
| configured to act as DHCP servers by default. | | | | desktop. |
| The router wizard will guide you through set up | | | | In summary, wireless routers can be a great joy |
| and as long as you accept the default settings, | | | | to to use, and in so far as you are aware of the |
| your set up should go smoothly. When you set up | | | | pitfalls, they can be reasonably secure too. Enjoy. |
| the computers that will be used to access the | | | | |