Wireless Networking Basics
At one time, home networks were mainly the domain of technophiles -- most families either didn't need or could not afford more than one computer. But now, in addition to using computers for e-mail, people use them for schoolwork, shopping, chatting, downloading music and videos, and playing games. For a lot of families, one computer is no longer sufficient. In a household with multiple computers, a home network frequently becomes a necessity instead of a technical toy.
The simplest, least expensive way to connect the computers in your household is to use a wireless network, which employs radio waves rather than wires. The absence of physical wires makes this type of network very flexible. For instance, you are able to move a laptop from room to room without tinkering with network cables and without losing your connection. The downside is that wireless connections are typically slower than Ethernet connections and they are less secure unless you take measures to protect your network.
In short, a home network is simply a formula for permitting computers to communicate with one another. If you have two or more computers in your home, a network can let them share:
- An Internet connection
- Printers, print servers and scanners
- Stereos, TVs and game systems
- CD burners
There are different types and configurations of wireless home networks. The different network types use different hardware, but they all have the same necessary components:
- More than one computer
- Hardware (such as a router) and software (either inherent to the operating system or as a separate application) to coordinate the exchange of information
- A path for the data to follow from one computer to another
Probably your router will have to connect to your modem. If this is in a central location for your planned purposes, then you'll probably not require anything beyond the router and adapters. If not, you can run additional wiring in your house to get it to the router, or live with a weaker signal in the sections of the house further from the router. If this is an issue, you may wish to invest in a repeater that can get your wireless signal to the distant corners of your home.
Connecting / Setting Up The Router
Most residential routers are reasonably simple to set up and have standard markings. The common setup is this:
- Plug the Ethernet (data) cable from your cable or DSL modem into the "WAN" port (If your modem has USB and Ethernet ports, use the Ethernet port and do not connect anything to the USB port).
- Plug any computers you want to hard-wire to your router to one of the "LAN" ports. If all computers are to connect wirelessly, skip this step.
- If possible, disconnect the antenna, or shield it from transmitting.
- Shut off/unplug your modem for approximately 15 seconds
- Reestablish power to your modem
- Plug in your router
The preceding steps may or may not cause the router to get an internet connection from the modem. These are VERY generic steps, which will occasionally work if the user's Internet Service Provider uses DHCP. If not, the router must be manually configured, and only the physical connections listed here will be of use to the user.
After a couple of seconds (At most), the router should start up with the default settings. Leave the antenna disconnected/blocked until you have had an opportunity to change the wireless security settings, as router defaults are notoriously insecure.
Wireless Router Configuration
Note that you should read and follow the directions in the firmware update section first, so you don't have to do this twice.
The bulk of residential routers are configured by a "web-based interface" (A webpage which you are able to view with Firefox or IE or whatever you use to surf the web).
To access this webpage, a particular address (called an IP adress) is used. This is generally detailed in the users manual or "quick start guide". The username and password to be used are also listed. If a "quick start wizard" comes up, you can follow it through or disregard it. The remainder of this guide assumes that it didn't appear or was dismissed.
Once logged in to the router, the first steps should be to beef up the security.
Since wireless signals frequently travel beyond the physical limits of your home or office, you must take special precautions to secure your network. Otherwise, any hacker on the street with an appropriate radio can gain access to your network. In addition to the steps listed below, make certain you check and update your firewall software.
The first line of defense is the SSID, which can be up to 32 characters in length. Make certain you change this to a unique network name right away. Leaving the factory-default setting in place--typically wireless, any, or the manufacturer's name--is comparable to leaving your home's front door open.
You defend your network's "back door" by setting the WEP encryption on the AP and the clients. While the AP can make and dispense a new WEP key for each session, the network still must transmit the key through the air, which can compromise security. Manufacturers promise an update to the security protocol in the near future, but in the meantime, it is suggested that you insert a key manually on both the AP and the client. Unfortunately, this means you must enter 26 letters and numbers for a 128-bit key. You should also select a random sequence of letters and numbers, then change it often.
These are the basic guidelines. Most wireless Internet Service Providers are willing to talk you through your network set up on the telephone as are the manufacturer's of wireless network hardware component's should you run into additional trouble.