To connect at least two computers with a single wireless network bridge, first and foremost, you have to install each computer with an adapter. After this, run CAT5 cables to connect all of them to a switch or a hub. Your chosen computer to use with bridging will come with two kinds of inserted adapters in its mainboard: one regular LAN adapter, which should already be inside, and one wireless network adapter, which will help make a connection to your wireless access point (WAP).
After installing and connecting these network adapters, use your intended bridging computer to open the Control Panel and then go to Network Connections. Keep in mind that to create your wireless network bridge, a minimum of two connections will be needed for various processes. Such processes would be internet sharing (ICS) and internet firewall (ICF).
Once you are inside the folder of Network Connections, you should see a ton of connections. Every connection is actually every one of the network cards: one is for the wireless card, while the other is for the wired card. Open your wireless adapter’s connection and visit the details panel. This should show that it works perfectly. Now, it would be advisable to check your Ethernet connection, too; this should work perfectly, too. Now you simply have to click on both of these connections simultaneously – which can be done by selecting every connection while holding the Ctrl key – and then right-click on any connection to select the submenu of Bridge Connections. After configuring this bridge connection, a window to Network Connection should be seen.
ICF and ICS
ICF and ICS might be needed in several cases. Regardless of the reason, you will require a third adapter first. So, if you do need ICF or ICS, you will need to go to a local store for computer hardware to get a brand new adapter card. But even if you have three adapters, this task would be quite tricky. Making a bridge in this manner would require you to bridge before actually enabling a single one of them.
You could always make use of the setup wizard when it comes to such tasks; however, the overall order would be imperative. You first need to use its setup wizard in order to make a bridge before enabling ICF or ICS. The wizard will then search for an online connection and attempt to configure this. Lastly, if you want, you can bridge several more network cards, which are connected onto the network.
By: Alex D Smith
Posts Tagged ‘Wireless Adapter’
Home Networking
February 4th, 2010
Setting up Your Home Network
As society and technology change, it’s becoming common for homes to have more than one computer. When an existing computer is a few years old, parents will often take advantage of today’s lower prices, purchase a new computer, and pass the old one down to the kids.
Suddenly, there’s a need for a home network, so all computers in the house can share an files, printers and an Internet connection. Fortunately, setting up a basic home network is not rocket science. To start, you’ll need a router which becomes the central point of your network. Most office and electronics stores offer home networking kits with a router, ethernet (network) adapters and CAT-5 networking cable.
If your computer was assembled in the past five years, it probably already has an ethernet adapter. Check the back of the system unit for a port that looks like a telephone jack, but slightly bigger.
If you don’t have an ethernet adapter, you can purchase one (about $20) and install it yourself. You can also use a special ethernet adapter that plugs into a USB port, if you can’t stand the thought of opening your system unit to install an ethernet adapter.
Wired or Wireless Networking?
You’ll need to connect each of your computers to the router with a cable, or go wireless. If you want to use wireless connections, you’ll need a wireless router and a wireless adapter for each computer. Most laptops have a wireless adapter built in, most desktop models do not. If you need a wireless adapter, you can purchase one that installs inside the system unit, or get a USB-style adapter.
Having a wireless network eliminates the need to string unsightly cables all around the house, but it can also create a security risk. Wireless networks are often configured by default to allow access to any computer that attempts to connect. So an Evil Hacker driving by with a laptop (or even your neighbor) might be able to tap into your Internet connection or poke around your hard disk.
Fortunately, wireless security encryption is easy to set up. See my article Wireless Security for step-by-step instructions.
Network Configuration
Whether the network signals travel through wires or through the air, network resources must still be shared so that other computers can access them. If you are running Windows XP or MacOS X, all you have to do is connect your computers and high-speed modem to the router, and Internet connection sharing should just work like magic. If not, restart the cable modem, router, and the computers (in that order) and see if that does the trick. If you can’t access the Internet from one or more computers on the network, consult the manual that came with your router.
One nice side benefit of having a router is that they have firewalls built in to the hardware. Firewalls protect you by hiding your computers from network attacks, but still allow you to surf the web and handle email. So after installing a router, you can turn OFF the Windows firewall and any other software-based firewalls you may have running.
Sharing Files and Printers
Sharing files and printers on a Windows network is also pretty painless. To share a printer, go into the Printers section of the Control Panel, right-click the icon for the printer that needs to be shared, and choose Sharing from the resulting menu. By assigning a name to the shared printer, the owner allows other computers on the network to access the printer by browsing using their Network Neighborhood (or My Network Places) icons. Access can be restricted to only some computers or users through the use of the Security or Permissions options on the Sharing screen.
The same concept applies for shared file and folders on a network. For example, if you want to share a collection of MP3 files on a home network, just browse to the folder using the My Computer icon, right-click the folder name and choose Sharing. After assigning a name to the shared resource and setting Permissions other computers on the network can access that resource via Network Neighborhood or My Network Places.
By: Bob Rankin
Wireless Network Trouble Shooting: Battle of the Wireless Neighbor
January 12th, 2010
Is your neighborhood have too many wireless networks which interfere with yours????
One of the most common complaints is that every time a neighbor puts up a wireless network your wireless network is slower or you get booted off.
The easiest thing you can due is change your channel on your wireless router. Almost all wireless networks have default channel of 6. Change your wireless network channel to something try channel 11 first.
If you have the money purchases a MIMO wireless router. This will overpower one radio access points.
The most common complaint about wireless interference is dropped packets. MIMO wireless routers let you transfer and receive at twice the rate because they have two transmitters and two receivers…or two radios!! This gives you a better quality signal and better coverage.
Next tip – Placement of your wireless router is the key. If you have a wireless router in one of your edge bedrooms half you signal is being sent out of your house with the default dipole antennas.
If you are going to keep your default Di-pole antennas then you need place your router in the middle of your house away from large metal objects.
Next, you can get rid of those cheap rubber duck antennas and make your purchase directional antennas. Directional antennas will focus your wireless signal in one direction.
If you purchase a directional antenna you need to change your transmit and receive antenna to the same. Or purchase a wireless antenna with diversity meaning two TNC connectors.
You might want to think about purchasing another wireless adapter. PCMICA wireless cards often are subject to damage.
Changing your wireless transmit power – You can change your wireless transmit power but it comes with a price. First this will cause your wireless router to work harder and heat up more thus reducing your wireless routers life span. Their is no need to have transmit power over 70mw for a home or small office. You can crank up your transmit power but remember more of you signal will bleed out into the street giving war drivers another target.
You will know if you are having interference if you are constantly connecting and reconnecting to your wireless network. The first thing to try is to try and change the channel to 2 or 11 or what ever works. Next you can make or purchase a wireless directional antenna to focus your signal where you need it. Third Move your wireless router to another place in your home. Fourth boosting your wireless signals transmit power has it’s benefits and it’s consequences, you could fry your wireless router and it could give you hacker issues. Finally if all else fails go out and purchase a new wireless MIMO router.
By: Eric Meyer
