| The appeals of wireless network installation are | | | | card. Repeat for each computer that will be on the |
| numerous. The first, of course, is a limit to the number | | | | network. |
| of wires running through a home or office. A wireless | | | | The second component of a basic wireless network is |
| network also allows for a very simple installation, since | | | | the wireless router. These routers allow you to share |
| your knowledge of wiring and electrical work can be | | | | a single internet connection between numerous |
| minimal, but still be adequate for installing a wireless | | | | computers. Depending on the router's specifications, |
| network. | | | | they can accommodate between four and sixteen |
| Additionally, the wireless configuration allows you to | | | | computers on a single wireless router. |
| have a great deal of flexibility in how you locate | | | | If you have internet from your cable provider, they |
| equipment around the home or office. | | | | may have supplied a cable modem, but those are |
| In order to set up a wireless network that is internet | | | | rarely wireless. You'll need to plug a wireless router into |
| ready, you will need only two primary components. | | | | the modem, then route your PCs through it. If you have |
| The first is wireless LAN (or Local Area Network) | | | | a DSL or ADSL connection, purchase a DSL modem. |
| cards. It's important that each PC on the network have | | | | You'll then configure your network. Log onto your |
| its own wireless card. | | | | router/modem through your PC. Read the owner's |
| They need to be inserted into an unused PCI slot | | | | manual for the router for specific directions. You'll want |
| located inside of a PC. The antenna portion of the | | | | to direct it to automatically assign IP addresses to any |
| card should be at the back of the PC with the antenna | | | | PC attached to it. It's recommended that you stick to |
| extending up. | | | | basic network configurations and use the 192.168.01 as |
| Installing the LAN card is not a complicated operation, | | | | the first IP address and the 0.9 as the ending address, |
| and can be accomplished by a novice in computer | | | | which gives you the potential for eight additional |
| installation. Simply open the computer case carefully | | | | devices to be installed, if you like. |
| and find the slot where the LAN card fits. There is | | | | You want your router to be the primary gateway and |
| likely only one available, but any computer that does | | | | also the primary DNS, so both of these boxes should |
| not have a built in wireless system will have a LAN | | | | be set to the router IP (182.168.0.1). Other boxes should |
| slot. | | | | be blank or contain default indicators. |
| Ground yourself by touching something metal or plastic | | | | The next step is to go to the Network Connections |
| to dispel static, then screw the card into the slot with | | | | screen in a PC start menu, right click on wireless |
| the screws provided. Make the electrical connections, | | | | network and go through properties to indicate that you |
| replace the PC covers, then start up the computer. | | | | want the router to obtain an IP address automatically. |
| You'll need to intall drivers specifically for that LAN | | | | |