Setting Up a Wireless Home Network with the Help of Internet Service Providers
Having a wireless home network is the goal of many. But there are also many who may not understand the benefits of having wireless at home, and choose to stick with their wired connection. These may also be the same people who have heard many stories about how difficult it can be to set up a wireless home network.
The Benefits Of A Wireless Home Network
Having a wireless internet connection at home can mean that multiple computers enjoy complete mobility. In addition to this, they can also share files such as pictures, videos and music. Another benefit is the fact that when it's necessary to print documents, only one printer is required. As long as a device is connected to the network, they can send and receive information from any other connected device.
Ease and security of back-up is another benefit of the wireless home network. Any user connected to the network can send their data to another device for back up. Having multiple locations to store back-up data means ease of restoration should some kind of hard drive failure occur on the main computer.
What You'll Need For Your Network
In order to successfully set up your network, a few items will be needed. The crucial components of any wireless home network are the access point, router, adapter, repeater and antenna. It should be noted that some internet service providers throw in free equipment as part of their subscription benefits.
The access point is the device which connects the devices in a home to the wireless network. The access point in a residential situation is usually the router, which is usually connected to some form of wired network.
The wireless network adapter is a component that any device must have if it wants to connect to the home network. Most of today's laptops will include a wireless adapter. Adapters are also available in the form of USBs and 'credit cards'.
The wireless repeater will allow you to expand the range of your network without the need for additional wires. And the antenna will make it easier for all devices to find the wireless signal.
Setting Up Your Network
You will need to connect your modem to your wireless router. This can be done using a CAT5 or Ethernet cable.
Then, you must connect the router to all of the devices in your home that need internet access. Devices with wireless LAN cards can be set up to communicate directly with the router. Devices without cards will each need a wireless network adapter. Most experts recommend the adapter be in USB format, but Ethernet cable may also be required. All computers in your network will need to also be connected to each other, with either a USB adapter or Ethernet cable.
Next, you will need to configure all computers and devices. The wireless router can be configured by connecting it to any device, and then connecting the Ethernet cable's other end to any port on the router except for the WAN or Internet ports. Look in your router's user manual for the admin URL and login information, and type it into your browser. Onc eyou've logged in, you will be able to see the instructions for configuring your router and setting up an SSID, which will give your network a unique name.
If configured successfully, you should see an icon in your status bar. If you are running Windows, all that's needed is to click on this icon, and several networks, including the one you've just named should show up in the list. Once you've found your network, click on it and enter a password, if required, for access.
The Benefits Of A Wireless Home Network
Having a wireless internet connection at home can mean that multiple computers enjoy complete mobility. In addition to this, they can also share files such as pictures, videos and music. Another benefit is the fact that when it's necessary to print documents, only one printer is required. As long as a device is connected to the network, they can send and receive information from any other connected device.
Ease and security of back-up is another benefit of the wireless home network. Any user connected to the network can send their data to another device for back up. Having multiple locations to store back-up data means ease of restoration should some kind of hard drive failure occur on the main computer.
What You'll Need For Your Network
In order to successfully set up your network, a few items will be needed. The crucial components of any wireless home network are the access point, router, adapter, repeater and antenna. It should be noted that some internet service providers throw in free equipment as part of their subscription benefits.
The access point is the device which connects the devices in a home to the wireless network. The access point in a residential situation is usually the router, which is usually connected to some form of wired network.
The wireless network adapter is a component that any device must have if it wants to connect to the home network. Most of today's laptops will include a wireless adapter. Adapters are also available in the form of USBs and 'credit cards'.
The wireless repeater will allow you to expand the range of your network without the need for additional wires. And the antenna will make it easier for all devices to find the wireless signal.
Setting Up Your Network
You will need to connect your modem to your wireless router. This can be done using a CAT5 or Ethernet cable.
Then, you must connect the router to all of the devices in your home that need internet access. Devices with wireless LAN cards can be set up to communicate directly with the router. Devices without cards will each need a wireless network adapter. Most experts recommend the adapter be in USB format, but Ethernet cable may also be required. All computers in your network will need to also be connected to each other, with either a USB adapter or Ethernet cable.
Next, you will need to configure all computers and devices. The wireless router can be configured by connecting it to any device, and then connecting the Ethernet cable's other end to any port on the router except for the WAN or Internet ports. Look in your router's user manual for the admin URL and login information, and type it into your browser. Onc eyou've logged in, you will be able to see the instructions for configuring your router and setting up an SSID, which will give your network a unique name.
If configured successfully, you should see an icon in your status bar. If you are running Windows, all that's needed is to click on this icon, and several networks, including the one you've just named should show up in the list. Once you've found your network, click on it and enter a password, if required, for access.