| Wireless networks have become incredibly popular | | | | Most wireless networking technology available for |
| - so much so that virtually all new laptop | | | | home use operates on what is called 802.11g |
| computers have wireless network cards included | | | | technology. What this means is that the data sent |
| as part of a set of standard features. As a | | | | over the network is transmitted at 2.4 GHz at a |
| matter of fact, customers will offer salespeople a | | | | speed of 54 megabits. For non-technical folks, |
| strange, blank look if wireless networking is not | | | | that means the data is moving pretty fast. Newer |
| included as one of the standard features. People | | | | technology is currently in the works for wireless |
| love the convenience of being able to boot up the | | | | networks (802.11n), but it is still in the beta, or |
| laptop and surf the net wherever they may be. | | | | testing, phase. |
| Wireless networks have become so popular and | | | | Wireless networks operate by using either |
| affordable that many people are now opting to | | | | modulating radio waves or pulsing infrared light. |
| include this convenience in their homes also. If you | | | | They include a router that is hardwired to your |
| happen to be one of the thousands of people | | | | Internet connection and transmits data via these |
| who choose to install wireless networking in your | | | | radio or light waves. Your computer receives the |
| home, then there are a few things that you will | | | | information via either an internal or external |
| need to understand about how wireless networks | | | | wireless adapter, which acts as a receiver. |
| work. | | | | If you are thinking of installing a wireless network |
| One of the best and most appealing features of | | | | in your home, you will need a high speed Internet |
| wireless networks is the fact that they are | | | | connection, a router, and wireless adapters for |
| wireless. This makes installation incredibly simple | | | | each computer you wish to access the network. |
| and affords you the freedom to roam about in | | | | Most basic wireless routers only have a range of |
| your home with your laptop untethered. Wireless | | | | about 100 feet, so if you live in a larger home, |
| networks eliminate the need for the wires | | | | you may need to also purchase a range extender |
| associated with traditional Ethernet networks. | | | | or repeater for your network. And that is pretty |
| Installing wireless networking in your home is a | | | | much it. |
| rather painless process. Plus, in comparison to | | | | Wireless networks are easy to install and |
| traditional wired, or Ethernet, networking, it is | | | | convenient. If you have not already decided to |
| relatively cost effective. Many times, you can set | | | | bite the bullet and install one in your home, you |
| up a wireless network in your home for less than | | | | are missing out. The installation process only |
| a hundred dollars. The only disadvantage to | | | | requires reading and following a few simple |
| wireless networks is that they are slightly slower | | | | instructions. Do this and you will have a wireless |
| than Ethernet networks. However, the average | | | | network that the entire family can enjoy. |
| consumer will never even notice the difference. | | | | |