| Setting up a wireless network to share Internet | | | | something unique. |
| access, printers, files and more, can be very | | | | - The Wireless Encryption (WEP)/Wi-Fi Protected |
| convenient and cost-effective. Setting up one in | | | | Access (WPA). These two help protect your |
| your own home or office is even better as you | | | | wireless network through a passphrase that you |
| can surf the web anywhere most comfortable | | | | will provide. You can make the passphrase unique |
| for you. Plus, all you need is a router and it's | | | | and long, you don't need to remember it. |
| easier to install than people perceive it to be. | | | | - The administrative password. This password |
| Windows XP Service Pack 2 is not really needed | | | | controls your wireless network, so choose one |
| for wireless networking, but it provides the | | | | that is unique and you will not forget as this is |
| easiest method for networking. It also helps | | | | needed to make changes in your router settings. |
| protect against hackers, trojans, worms, and | | | | After filling these up, be sure that you click Save |
| other potential Internet intruders. Here are the | | | | Settings, Apply, or OK to save the information. |
| four steps in creating your own wireless network: | | | | Afterwards, you may now disconnect the |
| 1. Shop for your wireless equipment. | | | | network cable from the computer. |
| Of course, wireless networking presupposes the | | | | 4. Finally, connect your computers. |
| fact that you have a computer system that has | | | | This method requires Service Pack 2, so if you |
| wireless network adapter or a built-in networking | | | | don't have it yet, plug your computer into the |
| support hardware and a broadband Internet | | | | router and download and install SP2. If your |
| connection. The main component to shop for is | | | | computer runs on a Windows XP SP2, it should |
| the wireless router, which is the hardware | | | | directly notify you that a wireless network has |
| responsible for converting the signals coming from | | | | been detected. To connect to the wireless |
| your Internet connection into some form of a | | | | network, follow these steps: |
| wireless broadcast. The network adapter allows | | | | - Right click this wireless network icon found in |
| the computer to wirelessly connect to the router. | | | | the lower right corner of the screen then click on |
| (Note: Make sure that you get a wireless router, | | | | View Available Wireless Networks. |
| and not an access point.) | | | | - The Wireless Network Connection should appear |
| 2. Connect the wireless router. | | | | shortly and you should see the network name |
| First, you need to locate your cable or DSL | | | | you specified previously. If you don't see it, click |
| modem and unplug it. Next, you must connect | | | | Refresh network list at the upper left corner of |
| your wireless router to your modem (modem | | | | the window. Once you see the name, click on the |
| must be stay directly connected to the Internet). | | | | Connect button on the lower-right. |
| Do this by plugging one end of a network cable | | | | - You will then be prompted for the password |
| into the modem and plug the other end to the | | | | you entered earlier in the Network key and |
| Internet, WAN or WLAN port on the router. | | | | Confirm network key boxes. Type in this key and |
| After hooking everything up, the computer will | | | | click on Connect. |
| automatically connect wirelessly to the router, and | | | | - Windows XP will then show connects the |
| the router will consequently send information | | | | computer to your network and you will be |
| through your modem to the Internet. | | | | connected shortly. |
| 3. Configure the wireless router. | | | | A Note for Computer Newbies |
| Using another network cable, temporarily connect | | | | If you are a computer novice, it is best to |
| your computer (through the network adapter) to | | | | purchase an ADSL modem with a built-in wireless |
| one of the open network ports on your router | | | | router to make wireless networking easier and |
| (make sure the port is not labelled Internet, WAN | | | | straightforward. |
| or WLAN). When turned on, your computer will | | | | For integrated ADSL modem-wireless router |
| automatically connect to the router. Afterwards, | | | | system, network connection can be done in two |
| open the Internet Explorer on your computer and | | | | simple steps: |
| type in the address in order to configure the | | | | 1. Connect. You first need to connect the |
| router. The address (and password in some | | | | Ethernet cable to the router to the PC, the phone |
| cases) varies depending on the brand of your | | | | cord from the phone socket to your router, and |
| router, so you would need to refer to the | | | | the power supply. |
| instruction manual. | | | | 2. Configure. Once everything is connected, switch |
| When you reach the router's configuration page, | | | | the unit on, type the IP address of the router into |
| you would need to configure the following: | | | | the web browser, select the connection type and |
| - The wireless network name (SSID). This | | | | enter the username provided by your Internet |
| identifies your network so try to choose | | | | service provider. |