Wireless Network Setup
The best thing about a wireless network is exactly that, its
wireless! If you have a laptop or even a second desktop pc in
the home, installing a wireless network is a great idea. How
about checking your emails, chatting with online friends, doing
some shopping or just surfing the net all from a deck chair in
the comfort of your own garden. Wireless networks are so easy to
setup too!
The router that you get with a wireless network kit is the
backbone of the system and is basicly where all signals on the
network are sent to and from. The signal is enhanced via a small
aerial which is found on the back. The router does not need to
be connected to a desktop pc or laptop, it can be installed
remotely, you just need to site it near a power supply and a
phone socket.
Every desktop pc you want to connect to the wireless network
will need a wireless desktop adaptor, this is fitted by opening
the case and finding a spare slot for it to go into. The
wireless desktop adaptor for the desktop pc has a small aerial
which is similar to that of the aerial found on the router.
Opening the desktop pc case and installing a wireless desktop
adaptor is a very straight forward task. If you do not want to
do this yourself, get your local dealer or a friend to install
it for you. If you just have the one desktop pc you may as well
just connect the router straight into the desktop pc via a
network cable.
When it comes to connecting the laptop you need a wireless
laptop adaptor. This is as easy as just slotting the network
card into the side of the laptop. Each desktop pc or laptop you
fit a wireless adaptor to will require the software and drivers
to be installed and this is done using the cd that came with
them. Its just a case of following the on screen prompts to
install everything necessary for the wireless network to
function properly.
Once the wireless network is up and running you can share files
between the lounge and the garden, you can play games between
the bedroom and conservatory. All the while the router power is
on any number of the desktop pcs or laptop you have with
wireless adaptors installed, will function on the network. The
strength of the signal on the wireless network will vary
depending on what the type of router you have, the number of
walls, obstructions etc... between the connections, interference
from other electrical appliances and how far within the radius
of the router you are. The wireless network kits available at
the time of writing this article are quite capable of covering
an average property size.
A wireless network's internet connection is 'always on' meaning
that in order to connect to the internet you just open the
browser and your homepage is there. The use of a logging on or
connection dialog box is no longer necessary.This makes
accessing the internet much more convenient. Make sure you have
a firewall, an anti-virus program and update your windows
operating system regularly in order to prevent any nasty
intrusions into your computer.
There you have it, now you do not need to miss your favourite
television program while waiting for that online auction to end.