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Wireless Networks:
Have you ever wanted to take your laptop out onto the deck and download MP3s while working on some important document? Or maybe you want to network the computers in the house for internet sharing but don't want to have to install
Ethernet outlets all over the house?
Enter the wonderful world of wireless networking! If you have a laptop you can pack it around the house and still have internet access without dragging a 200ft cable behind you. If you have more than one desktop, a wireless router will let you connect that computer to another or an internet connection without the cable.
Setting up a wireless network may seem like a daunting task at first. With the right
equipment though it's both doable and rewarding.
The heart of a simple wireless network is a combination wireless access point and a cable/DSL router. These can run anywhere from about $100 to who knows for some huge corporate monster.
Each device that will connect to the network will require some kind of wireless ethernet card. For a desktop this would mean either a wireless PCI
Ethernet card or a wireless USB Ethernet card. For a laptop you will
need the smaller PC card instead of the PCI ethernet card. Wireless
Ethernet cards are fairly easy to obtain for around $40. Make sure whatever hardware you buy is compatible.
Some printers and other peripherals are network capable and can be fitted with their own
versions of wireless ethernet cards or may already have the capability build in. Purchasing the extra hardware for peripherals can vary in price depending on the brand and type of machine.
Windows XP is designed to automatically detect and configure network cards to communicate with existing networks but this doesn't mean everything always goes perfect.
Use the software that came with your network gear to help walk you through the process of getting everything set up. For XP is should be fairly straight forward. It gets trickier when other operating systems are involved.
If you follow the directions and everything is set up and you've had more than enough of your ISP's tech support and still can't get it to work it may be time to call in the professionals. Many times XP will make it fairly simple but there are also those times when you will beat your head against the wall for hours. Don't torture yourself.
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