By Wallace Renckers
Expert Author
For homes with more than one computer, it would be wise for you to setup a wireless network and share your high speed internet connection, as well as the scanner, printer, and other computer devices.
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Wireless networking, "wireless fidelity", or Wi-Fi, is gaining popularity nowadays because it is just so darn easy and very straightforward.
So, for those who want to use Wi-Fi technology in their homes, here's a short tutorial to guide you through the process and answer some of the most frequently asked questions. To setup your home network you will need a wireless router and wireless PCI cards.
1. Get the equipment you will need.
A wireless or Wi-Fi router. This will allow you to share your internet connection. You will be able to connect to the net without having to use any networking cables.
Next, you will need Wi-Fi cards, or wireless PCI cards, for desktop or notebook computer. Most laptops nowadays have these already installed. This, in turn, enables your PCs to receive the connection being broadcast by the Wi-Fi router.
Optionally, you can buy a wireless antenna. This will boost the signal put out by your wireless router. Depending on how wide of a net you want to cast around your house will determine if you need to buy a wireless antenna. One word of warning though is that your neighbors can borrow your wireless network if you have a strong enough signal for them to tap into.
2. Choose what standard you will implement.
Wi-Fi has different standards that have evolved through time. The most popular is 802. 11b, or "B" for short, which can carry data at 11 megabytes per second or mbps.
The next generation Wi-Fi is the "G" devices that can transmit data at 54mbps. The G standard is backward compatible with the B standard.
3. Connect to your wireless router.
Be sure that when you attempt to connect to your wireless router, you have shut down all your devices. With an Ethernet cable, hook up to the LAN of the other computer or to the WAN port if you are using an Ethernet port of the modem's cable. Then, make use of a second Ethernet cable and attach it to the computer's Ethernet adapter.
After which, hook up the other end of the cable to one of the Ethernet's four individual port router. It is strongly recommended that you use port 1 as the default port area. Then, plug in the power adapter to the power port of your router and then attach it to an electrical outlet. You can immediately use your computer after configuring the settings of your router.
4. Install the Wi-Fi cards on your desktop PC or laptop.
Installing a wi-fi card might involve opening the casing and installing a card inside your desktop. This can be very complex so it is best to ask for some professional help regarding this one especially if it is your first time.
For notebooks and even desktop PCs you could use a USB Wi-Fi dongle in place of installing a wi-fi card. A wireless dongle is a USB network adapter that plugs into your notebook or PC to enable access to a LAN, or peer-to-peer networking without the need of any wires.
5. Turn on your computers and get surfing.
Once you've installed your wireless router and network cards you are on your way to surfing anywhere in your house.
This just goes to show that since the proliferation of wireless fidelity, networking had never been the same again and Internet connection within your household is now open to a wide array of virtual possibilities.
Copyright 2005 by Home Wireless Network and Wallace Renckers.
This article may be used freely in ezines, newsletters, websites, to offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, active links and this resource box is included.
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