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