Tips for Setting up a Home Wireless Network

Posted by on 10/05 at 09:23 AM Permalink

After the decision has been made to invest in a wireless (WiFi) network, it’s time to run through a few vital issues specific to maximizing productivity. Before madly buying and trying to configure, here are some tips – some obvious, some not.

The three products needed are a WAP (Wireless Access Point), a router, and a wireless-enabled computer. WAPs (define) are typically combined into one unit with routers, usually referred to as “wireless routers” because they have wireless capability. Virtually every new laptop has built-in wireless capability, and legacy laptops can accept wireless PCMCIA cards. PCI cards or USB wireless adapters can be installed on most desktop computers.

Read Full Article Here:
http://www.geeks.com/techtips/2006/home-wireless-network-tips.htm

Do you wish to add to this article? Click the “comments” tab below and let your voice be heard!

    Posted by David LeVine  on  10/09  at  08:20 AM

  1. One thing that isn’t mentioned is security.

    Even WEP at minimum security settings will help.  MAC permissions are a good idea.

    If you don’t secure your network, people can use it to access the Internet.  Would you like to explain to some nice federal employees in suits how a threatening message to President Bush came from your IP address?  How about explaining how someone was downloading and uploading snuff porn and kiddy porn from your IP?

    Places like Borders (who have wireless internet access) actually do have to worry about things like this.

    2. Posted by George Barham  on  10/09  at  10:14 AM

  2. Love the newsletter… While on this topic; how about some detail about how to set up a printer on a wireless network. Example print from a laptop to a usb printer hardwired to a desktop computer. Both computers are on the same wireless network. The access point and router are not within “wired” reach of the printer.

    Thanks

    3. Posted by David Nelson  on  10/10  at  07:38 AM

  3. The information you posted about Apple Airport Extreme routers is not correct. The Airport does use a utility to connect to their routers. But they do provide a version for windows, so they can be used equally well on PC or Mac. The above link will send you to the software download page.

    4. Posted by Rob Dunn  on  10/12  at  05:07 PM

  4. Another good tip is to limit your DHCP addresses.  By default, my Linksys offers up 50 of them, but I’ve keyed it back to 5.  Also, you can get real specific by setting up MAC addresses in your config to limit only those MACS to access your router.  This is not totally foolproof, but if you couple that with everything else you’ve stated, you should have a pretty secure router.

    Finally, those folks in apartment complexes or college dorms should REALLY follow your advice, since wi-fi hopping is much more prevalent in those environments.

    Great article!
    Rob
    *confessions of a freeware junkie*

    5. Posted by J&S Mansfield  on  10/13  at  06:45 AM

  5. The “tech-tips” are definately a favorate with us.  I am actually building a notbook out of them and save them for future reference.  Keep up the good work.

    6. Posted by Rob Dunn  on  10/13  at  10:13 AM

  6. Also, you can further lock down your access point by using a MAC address access list.  For those that are reading this and may not know, you can run ipconfig /all at your command prompt to find this out.  Enter that in the appropriate fields on your AP and save the config.

    Finally, I also like to reduce the number of DHCP addresses that my AP leases out.  The default for my Linksys is 50, so I bring that back to 5 so I can allow for my laptop, home desktop, wife’s computer, a friend, and maybe another that I’m working on - set your lease time to expire in a day (i.e. a short amount of time).

    Great blog - regards,
    Rob
    ‘confessions of a freeware junkie...’

    7. Posted by Tom  on  03/06  at  03:55 AM

  7. Hey Guys keep up the good work on networking your making it a lot easyer then it sounds.

    Ok now how do you set up each computer to have it’s own idenity? or isp or what ever it’s called
    heard people talking about that but don’t understand it

    Thanks

    8. Posted by Makaom  on  09/28  at  01:54 AM

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    14. Posted by Weraola  on  12/03  at  09:14 AM

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    15. Posted by Cartmell  on  01/02  at  06:49 AM

  15. Would like additional information on how to hard wire a printer, scanner, copier to the router so that all wireless computers in home network can print to it.

    Thanks
    R. Cartmell

    16. Posted by Abdullahieline  on  09/01  at  11:12 PM

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    18. Posted by Simonh  on  06/24  at  06:27 AM

  18. I have a Netgear Wireless Router at home, that although I have filters plugged into every phone socket, will always drop the internet connection whenever the phone is answered or if someone makes an outgoing call. Both phones in the house are wireless handsets. Anyone have any suggestions?

    19. Posted by Kirk  on  10/11  at  06:46 AM

  19. What other connection is needed to connect my older computer that not wireles to gain internet from second floor bedroom.  I have verizon router on 1st floor with main computer.  I purchase a 2nd net gear router but still unable to fine internet signal.  Something my older computer needs still.

    20. Posted by JR  on  07/06  at  12:30 PM

  20. I have a rather unusual question. I have two computers at home: one desktop and one laptop. I’d like to be able to share an Internet connection with both of these systems. I would also like to be able to use a wireless connection with my laptop, so that I could still surf the Web, while moving around the house. The problem is that I live in a rural area, so a broadband Internet connection, like cable or DSL, is out of the question. This, unfortunately, means that I’m stuck using a 56kps, dial-up connection. I know what I want to do can be done with a broadband connection, but I don’t know if it’s possible to get a wireless router that works with a dial-up connection. Do they even make this type of a product?

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