1. Essential Equipment
Right, let's move right along. The first thing to do in setting up a
wireless home network is to get the correct equipment. These are the
things you need:
Wireless home networking kit
This is your basic equipment for the network. Typically, these home
networking kits come with a firewalled wireless router (e.g. the
immensely popular Linksys WRT54G). Some also bundle a wireless PC card
for connecting laptops to the network, or a wireless USB adapter for
connecting desktop PCs.
Windows installation CDs
These are required sometimes during installation of drivers, so its handy to have them around first.
Ethernet cables
These are required if you intend to mix wired PCs into a wireless
network. For example, you can connect an Ethernet cable between the
wireless router and a desktop PC.
2. Install the Wireless Router
Install the wireless router according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Modern wireless home networking kits make this really
easy. Just connect the wireless router to power supply, connect the
wireless PC card to your laptop, or USB adapter (or Ethernet cable) to
the desktop PC. Then insert the installation CD into one PC and start
the software installation process.
As part of the setup process,
you usually need to surf to a local IP address, e.g. 192.168.0.1 to
setup basic parameters for the router. Most of the options can be left
as default, with the exception of SSID (Service Set Identifier) and
encryption settings, which are explained below.
3. Choose the Service Set Identifier
Wireless networks require a network identification code called the
Service Set Identifier (SSID). When connecting devices to the network,
this is the name you use to specify which network you're connecting to.
Make sure you set up this parameter using the router setup page or
utility.
4. Encrypt Your Wireless Network
Remember an intruder can easily gain access to an unencrypted
network without too much trouble. Wireless networks these days usually
use the WEP standard to set up encryption. To configure this, go to your
router setup page or utility and enter the WEP security key (usually
its a 128 bit hexdecimal text entry you need to key in).
Note this
WEP key down. Now, go to each PC in your network. Open up the Control
Panel -> Network Connections and select your wireless network
connection. You need to enter the WEP key for the connection - the
manufacturer's should have instructions on how to do this.
5. Sharing the Printer
If you intend to share a printer (say from your desktop), then go to
your desktop, go to Control Panel and select Printers. Right-click your
printer icon, and choose Properties. If there's a Shared tab in the
dialog box that appears, click the tab and make sure the share option is
selected.
