Posts Tagged ‘Communication Method’

Why Have a Wireless Network in Your Home?

January 7th, 2010



If you have one or more computers in your home then you can benefit from a wireless network in a number of ways.

Today it is not uncommon for every person in the household to have their own laptop, notebook or desktop computer. Children use them as an educational tool and mom and dad often bring their laptop home from work.

The biggest advantage to setting up a wireless network is to eliminate some of the tangle mess of wires associated with each computer. 

A simple definition of wireless is that it offers a communication method for the transfer of information over a long or short distance without the use of wires. But that doesn’t happen magically. Wireless adapters (either built-in or attached) are required for each computer and then generally a router is used at the internet access point.

Even though this article is specific to wireless computer networks, many people already use wireless in the home for such things as cell phones, baby monitors and security systems. 

Beyond the elimination of wires there are few other ways that a wireless computer network can make your life easier.

Save money by sharing just one printer with everyone Be free to use your computer on the deck, in the kitchen or anywhere else inside or outside of your home Save money by sharing one backup device with everyone Perhaps you have a temporary health problem which requires you to be bedridden, but you would still like to get some work or other things done on your computer while somewhat out of commission It is much easier to share files with others on the network If our Laptop has a wireless adapter then you will be able to take advantage of free wi-fi at the library, coffee shop, in the airport terminal and at a friends house You will also be able to take advantage of the newest and latest wireless technology found in digital cameras, video cameras and multi-media receivers

Setting up a wireless network is not complex but be sure that you review and setup the proper security for your network in order to keep others outside your home from also using your network. They may join you unintentionally. Just the other night I was using my laptop just to do a little offline work and all of a sudden my computer was connecting to the network. As it turns out my neighbor across the street from me had just cranked up her wireless system and I was automatically connected to it. She had not properly setup her wireless router security.

Don’t fear, your network will be secure if you setup your security properly.

By: Jackie Beem

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Choosing the Right Wireless Network Components

December 12th, 2009



The most important step in building a wireless network is selecting the right components. Before you set out for the electronics store in search of the parts and pieces you need, you may want to review my previous articles about planning your network and what standards there are to choose from.

Typically, you are only searching for three types of equipment if you establishing a wireless network for you personal computers to share files, share devices (such as a printer) and establish a connection between your home or office and the outside world (Internet access). You may need several of one or more of these but your selection really comes down to deciding upon these three things.

Network Interface Adapter

The protocol (simply the language standard of a communication method) used in connectivity between computers and printers on a network in your home or at your office is known as Ethernet. What is confusing is that this is the language standard but it is not method by which the components communicate. Therefore, there must be some intermediary device that can translate these internal component communications and the Ethernet protocol. These devices are known simply as a network interface adapter. You probably know this by another name. Commonly referred to as a network interface card (NIC) this device is installed in or to your computer and provides the connectivity to the Ethernet network. A desktop PC’s NIC is usually a card that is installed inside the case and inserted into one of the slots on your system’s motherboard. More and more, this functionality is being built into the mother board of desktop PCs and is usually an integral component on portable PCs.

Access Point

A wireless access point, also known as a base station, is a device that provides a translation and handles protocol conversion from the wired side of your inbound Internet connection (usually a DSL or Cable Modem) and the wireless side of your network. This is a must in order to create a wireless network.

Sometimes, the access point may be an installed component of a DSL or Cable modem and/or router putting all of these components in one, easy to install and manage device. Having these components bundled can provide a better value as it will be more cost effective when combined with functions of other components that you have decided to include in your wireless network:

Hub or Switch – A hub is device that provides a physical connection for wired pc’s in a network. A switch is sometimes referred to as an intelligent hub that adds traffic management capability.

Router – A device that allows multiple computers to share a single Internet connection. As mentioned, some routers can include built-in a broadband modem and wireless access in one device

Wireless Network Interface Adapter

This device is similar to a NIC but provides wireless functionality. More and more computers are being built with this device already included as the popularity of wireless networks continue to grow.

By: Jeff Runyon

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