Wireless networks are getting more popular as more days go by. They are easy to install and practical to use when it comes to surfing the World Wide Web from anywhere inside the house. This is why wireless networks are attractive in the eyes of internet users. It is fairly easy to set up a wireless network; however, you have to know several simple things before trying to begin your setup. To get better understandings of wireless networks, you can read on protocols of wireless networking.

To set up your wireless network, you would require a broadband online connection with either a DSL modem or cable. Usually, the regular home setup involves a desktop computer that is directly plugged into a modem. If you are reading this, we can presume that you already own a laptop which you wish to wirelessly connect to a personal computer which has an internet connection. You will require some hardware to do this, such as a wireless router, a wireless USB network adapter for your desktop computer and a card-based personal computer network adapter for the laptop. Obviously, it would be recommended to opt for the same vendor as any extra hardware that you purchase. Refer to documentations that come with the hardware for any process of installation.

After installing all of the required hardware, you can start with the setup. First of all, you have to turn off or unplug your DSL modem before connecting your wireless router onto the modem. If you need help, simply check your hardware’s documentation. After this has been set up, your computer is going to connect to the router wirelessly. Next, you have to configure the wireless router. You can use Internet Explorer to go to the configuration page of your router.

The majority of default settings are safer to be left alone; however, there are several things that will need configuring. You have to choose a one-of-a-kind SSID or name for your wireless network, which will also be your network’s name. Ensure that nobody near you is making use of the exact same name. Next, if the router needs it, provide a one-of-a-kind passcode which it will put to use in order to generate several keys. The last thing to do before finishing your router configuration would be to set an administrative password. Pick a password which is long and hard to guess for security purposes. Ensure that you save each configured setting. Actual steps that are involved with setting configuration may vary, depending on your type of router.

Next, configure the network adapter of your laptop. It is quite easy to follow the on-screen instructions on Window’s XP when it comes to this. Right-click on the wireless network icon within your taskbar and go to “View Available Wireless Networks” after the menu appears. The window of Wireless Network Connections will show up. Here, you should see your chosen name listed for the wireless network. Click on “Refresh network list”, if the network does not appear. After that, you will be asked to enter a key as you have written down within the key boxes of Confirm network key. Choose Connect. Then, you will see the progress of your connection while it connects to the network. Once you are connected, feel free to close this window. Your wireless connection is now set up.

By: Alex D Smith