Wireless network setup

I have set up many wireless networks for my customers now and can honestly say that given the right conditions they can be a reliable and inexpensive way to share your Internet connection, printers and files. While you simply cannot beat the reliability of an Ethernet (wired) network for home use, wireless can be the network of choice. Conversely I would not be happy supporting a business that way, and given the mandate to support a business network would have to insist it was wired.

However, for the home user these are my 4 basic guidelines to a successful Router set up:

1. 1. Use a reliable, and simple wireless router that supports 802.11b and 802.11g. I prefer to use the WRT54G from Linksys.
2. 2. Place the router (wireless access point) in a central location so that no PC (or wireless printer) would have to transition more than 3 walls or floors when taking a "line of sight" between router and the end device (PC).
3. 3. Ensure you change the default name of the wireless transmission (SSID) otherwise you will conflict with your neighbor that fails to do the same. It can be anything you want, but keep it short and sweet to make setup easier, e.g. joe, molly, geneva, hotrod, rover, etc.
4. 4. Finally enable WEP network security, don't go crazy, just use the 64 bit key which simply equates to 10 hexadecimal characters. They must be 0-9,a-f, so again keep it simple and use your 10 digit cell or home phone number, that way you won't forget it.

To access the above mentioned settings on the WRT54G Linksys router simply point a browser at the gateway (aka router) address of your network. 192.168.1.1
The default login is Username = [blank], password = admin. You can change the password if you like but just don't forget it, better still, write it on a post it and stick to the underside of the router. Once into the router you can set or check your wireless settings.

Setting up the Wireless on your Windows XP PC or Laptop

In order to connect to your wireless network you will need to setup your wireless system to link to your particular wireless system (SSID, 3 above) and also enter the wireless encryption protocol (WEP) key as described in 4 above. Microsoft Windows has it's own application (Wireless Zero Configuration) that will assist you to do this. However, some wireless adapters, either integrated or after market add-ons, come with their own applications. Usually one has to choose either the Microsoft application or the third party. If you choose to use the third party application follow the directions supplied, usually in the help menu.

Alternately you can follow the Microsoft Wireless setup Wizard as follows:

1. Go to Control panel and select Network Connections.
   
   
2. Assuming you have a Wireless Network Connection right click on it and left click View available connections.
3. You should see your wireless name here, if you do not you need to trouble shoot that first. Click on "Set up a wireless network for a home or small office" under network tasks on the left.
4. Click Next then select "Set up a new wireless network" then click next.
5. Type in your wireless name (SSID - #4 above in router setup) and select "manually assign a network key" then click next.
6. Type in your WEP key twice as set in router set up #5 above and click next.
7. Select "Set up network manually" and click next then Finish.

Your computer should now automatically connect to the router in 30 seconds or less.

Still having problems? Better call your local PC and Network Specialist.

Till the next time..

Ctrl=Alt-Delete

Steve