| Looking for a simple Step-By-Step guide to | | | | connection. Secondly, you need a wireless |
| setting up a wireless network, in plain | | | | router. And third, a wireless network adaptor |
| English? Congratulations, your search is | | | | for each computer that is going to be part of |
| over. | | | | your network. For desktop PC's, buy a USB |
| | | | adaptor and for laptops, get a PC card |
| O.K. It's time to dispel the myth about | | | | adaptor, (this will plug into your expansion |
| networking! Although networks, (wireless or | | | | slot). Before buying your wireless network |
| otherwise) used to be used primarily by | | | | adaptor, check to make sure your PC doesn't |
| businesses and schools, times have changed. | | | | already have this feature built-in. If it |
| There are now huge benefits to installing a | | | | does then there is no need to buy an |
| network at home. The thing that put's many | | | | additional one. Also, buy your network |
| people off is the fact that they are | | | | adaptor and wireless router from the same |
| notoriously complicated to set up and get | | | | company. This will make things far easier |
| working. Well, as technology had advanced | | | | when setting up. Now you have your equipment, |
| this process has become a darn sight easier | | | | it's time to get it up and running. |
| and if you are interested in setting up your | | | | |
| own network then don't panic. As long as you | | | | Unplug your modem and connect it to your |
| have a little patience, you can do it. There | | | | wireless router. You will notice that your |
| is an abundance of information on the | | | | router came with a network cable. Plug one |
| internet to help you get through any problems | | | | end into the back of the router, (the port |
| so, if possible, keep one computer off of | | | | labelled internet, or Wlan, or Wan) and the |
| your network, (but connected to the internet) | | | | other end into your modem. If you are unsure |
| to start with. This way you will still be | | | | which port to connect your cable to, you will |
| able to connect to the web and get any advice | | | | need to refer to the instructions, as routers |
| and tips you need during your installation | | | | vary depending on the make. Now plug in your |
| and set-up. | | | | modem again and connect to the Internet. |
| | | | Next, plug in your router and turn it on. |
| For those that consider yourself novices and | | | | After a few 30-60 seconds you should see |
| are not sure why having a wireless network in | | | | lights that indicate the router is connected |
| your home is beneficial, let's take a look at | | | | to the modem. Now it's time to configure your |
| some of it's uses. Many of us now have more | | | | modem. |
| than one computer in our homes. Whether you | | | | |
| have children with a PC in their room, or a | | | | Your router will have come with an address. |
| laptop that you use around the house and in | | | | Open Internet explorer and type this in the |
| the garden there are some great benefits to | | | | address bar. You may need to enter the |
| connecting them all together. First of all, | | | | default password at this stage. This also |
| Think about your printer. Why bother having a | | | | comes with the router. You should now be |
| printer for every PC, or transferring | | | | looking at the configuration page for your |
| documents to the computer that's attached to | | | | wireless router. Don't panic if it looks |
| the only printer, when you can use a network | | | | technical, you only need to change a few |
| to let your printer receive information form | | | | things. First of all you will need to give |
| all your computers? Of course the other bonus | | | | your network a name. Choose something that is |
| is that, with a wireless network your printer | | | | not too easy to guess, as this will help with |
| can be put anywhere in the house out of the | | | | security issues, and type this in the SSID |
| way. If like me, you have a computer in your | | | | section. You should also see a section that |
| living room, then hiding the printer away in | | | | asks for a WEP or a WPA. Choose something |
| the cupboard is perfect. | | | | long and random as this will prevent hackers |
| | | | getting in, you don't need to remember this |
| So there's one advantage. Now, what about | | | | anyway. Now you need to create an |
| music, videos and other media? There is no | | | | 'administrators password'. Again choose |
| need to waste time and money putting music | | | | something unique containing letters and |
| onto all of your hard-drives. By creating a | | | | numbers, (you will need to remember this one |
| Wireless home network you can store all you | | | | though). Now that's done, disconnect the |
| media on one hard-drive and access it via the | | | | network cable from your computer. |
| network. Of course these are only examples. | | | | |
| Another obvious benefit is the ability to | | | | Now you can connect your computers. Before |
| access all of your documents from any | | | | doing anything, make sure you have "Windows |
| computer in the network. If your chilling in | | | | Service Pack 2". Now, repeat the following |
| the garden with your laptop and need a file | | | | steps for each computer. |
| from your desktop PC, no problem. Just access | | | | |
| it via your wireless network. Now we've | | | | If you have purchased a USB network adaptor, |
| covered some of the more obvious benefits to | | | | plug this into a USB port on your computer. |
| installing a wireless network let's take a | | | | If you have a network card for your laptop, |
| look at how to do it. | | | | plug this in your expansion slot. Windows |
| | | | should now detect your new hardware and ask |
| The first step, without a doubt is planning. | | | | you to insert the CD that came with it. Do |
| You need to know what you require from your | | | | this, and follow the on-screen instructions. |
| network. How many computers you want to | | | | Once you have completed this you will see a |
| attach, where your computers are located, and | | | | new icon in your taskbar, (bottom right of |
| any other peripherals, (such as printers). | | | | main windows screen). Right-click it and |
| Once you have this worked out it will be much | | | | select 'View Available Wireless Networks'. |
| easier to determine what equipment you need. | | | | You should now see the name of your wireless |
| When looking at equipment I would recommend | | | | network, if you don't, click refresh. Select |
| that you set up your network using the | | | | that network and click connect, enter the |
| 802.11g technology, as it is the most | | | | network key you will have typed in earlier |
| compatible. | | | | and wait for it to connect. Now you can close |
| | | | this window. |
| So, let's take a look at what you will need. | | | | |
| First of all, you'll want a broadband | | | | Finally you need to........... |