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
Posts Tagged ‘Wireless Adapters’
Why Have a Wireless Network in Your Home?
January 7th, 2010Setting up a Wireless Network
October 16th, 2009
Some people see the task of setting up a wireless network within their home as a daunting task but it really does not need to be. In our present generation we are surrounded by many wireless possibilities. This is ok as long as we protect ourselves and familiarize ourselves with how it all works.
First of all you need to decide how you want your network setup and what you will need to accomplish this. In most cases a home will have one desktop computer and then one or more other computers located elsewhere within the house. These other computers may be other desktops or mobile laptops which doesn’t really matter except that you will need to find the appropriate wireless adapter for these computers. A desktop will need either a wireless PCI adapter or USB adapter while a laptop can use a PCMCIA adapter card or USB adapter. Most new laptops come with wireless already built into the system so you may want to verify that before buying an adapter. Then you need to also get a wireless router. It is preferrable if you purchase the router and the adapter from the same manufacturer but it is not a necessity. As long as they are both the same technology they should work together. 802.11g is the most commonly used signal. The wireless router works as a base station that transmits your internet signal wirelessly. Your wireless adapters connect your computers to the router with that signal.
First of all you should unplug your broadband modem. This may be DSL, Cable or FIOS. Also your router should be unplugged. Now connect a network cable from the modem to the Internet, WAN or WLAN port on the back of the router. Plug in the modem and turn it on. Wait a few minutes to make sure that it is connected with the internet. Then plug in and turn on the router. The lights on the front of the router should come on after about a minute indicating that the modem is connected. Now turn on the computer if it is not already turned on. Most people will plug the main computer directly into the router and make the others wireless thus eliminating an unneeded wireless adapter.
So now you will plug a network cable from one of the LAN ports on the router directly to the LAN port on the main computer. Windows XP will recognize an internet connection and give you a popup message with this indication. Next you will open your internet browser ( Internet Explorer or Firefox ) and type in the address that came with the documentation with your router. You may be prompted for the default password. The page will show your router’s configuration. From here you can enter in a Wireless Network Name which is called the SSID. Make sure that this name is unique for your own protection. Also set the WPA or WEP which should also be a unique type of word.
This is a passphrase protection which you will not have to remember. Then finally an administrators password. Make sure that you do not forget this password because you will need it if you ever want to change anything. Now that the router is setup we will move on to the adapters. Plug in the adapter appropriately on your other computer or computers and Windows will recognize it and show that there is a wireless connection device. Note that a desktop must be shut off when installing a PCI adapter. At this time Windows may prompt you to install any software that came with the adapter. Once that has been done, right click on the Wireless Network Icon in the bottom right hand corner of your Windows screen. It will say View Available Wireless Networks. Locate your wireless network name and click connect. Your wireless network should now be setup.
By: Randall Martin
Wireless Computer Network Rentals: The New Technology Trend
October 11th, 2009
Consider the convenience and added benefits of renting today’s wireless technology.
Wireless networks have a big advantage over wired networks, especially for short term projects where the internet and rental computers, printers and projectors are deployed.
Wireless networks are easier and faster to setup than wired networks. Wireless devices add flexibility and save time. With wireless you can move your laptops, projectors and printers around and still maintain connectivity. Best of all, you don’t have to run cat5 wires to routers, computers, printers and switches.
Here are some of the wireless products that are commonly rented for company projects:
Wireless Router Rentals
A wireless router is a networking device that connects computers to the internet. With a router you can share an internet connection between multiple computers on the network. Note: The internet cable needs to be connected directly into the wireless router.
Rent Wireless Access Point (WAP)
A wireless access point is a networking device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. A WAP may also be used to expand the range of an existing wireless network.
Rent Wireless Adapters
A wireless adapter is a device that adds wireless network functionality to a computer or laptop. There are three types of wireless adapters. PCI Adapters are for desktop computers. As the name suggests, they can be installed in an available PCI slot. PCMCIA Adapters, also known as PC Cards, are for notebooks. Installation is as simple as pushing the card into an available PCMCIA slot. Lastly, there are USB Adapters. These adapters are compatible with desktop and notebook computers.
Rent Wireless Print Servers
A wireless print server connects a printer to the wireless network, allowing any computer on the network to wirelessly access the printer at any time.
Rent Wireless Projectors
A wireless projector allows a computer user to wirelessly connect and display the computer video on a screen. All you need is a wireless adapter in your computer or notebook and the software that comes with the projector. Today’s advanced wireless projectors allow one computer to connect to multiple projectors AND multiple computers to connect to a single projector.
If you want to have a really impressive presentation, consider renting two or more wireless projectors. Bring your multimedia presentation to the next level by putting on multiple unique screens of your data and video presentation. For example: have animation on one screen and data on another!
Another benefit of wireless projectors is having the ability to have multiple presenters displaying their presentations right from their own wireless laptop or computer. Consider a corporate meeting with presentations from finance, operations, sales and marketing managers.
Wireless projectors are available from 1800 Lumen and 800×600 resolution to 3000 Lumen and 1024×768 resolution.
For more information on the current wireless projector rentals visit: Wireless Projector Rental Info
For more information on other products available for rent visit: Rentacomputer.com/ or Call 800-736-8772
By: John Beagle
