Set up a home network - Part III

This is Part III of our ongoing series regarding home and small-business networks. You can read the first two installments here:  Part I and Part II.

In Part II, we discussed how to use a 'wired' system with Ethernet cabling to connect your computers and broadband connection. We suggested that you purchase a Wireless Cable/DSL Router with 4 port switch to connect your computers. The reason we suggested a wireless router is two fold; 1) The cost is only a few bucks more, and 2) Having the wireless gives you the ability to easily add a laptop or computer in another room to your network.

Typically, wireless routers can broadcast a signal that will reach around 75' indoors. However, that number reduces significantly depending on the barriers it has to pass through...walls, ceilings, type of walls and floors, etc. For best results, I like to keep the wireless computer as close to line of sight as possible to the router (least number of walls and barriers like furniture). Currently, the standard used in wireless computing (wi-fi) is 802.11g. For those with inquisitive minds, you can get detailed definitions of all terms wireless at Webopedia. This link is a comprehensive list of wireless networking terms. 

As with the wired setup, use the CD that came with your brand of router to walk through the setup. The first thing you want to do is assign a new password (right it down and remember it for future use) for the routers settings. Most of the wizards offer you the chance to do this right away.

Next, you want to setup the wireless security for your system. Enabling wireless security drastically reduces the chances of a hacker trying to break into your network. The first step you will be asked to do is assign a name (SSID - Service Set Identifier) to your network. Don't use your name...use something like your street name or high school mascot or development name...etc. Again, right this down and don't forget it. You will also be given the opportunity to broadcast your wireless name or not...for ultimate security, click "No" on the broadcast option. However, for ease of setup, as long as you are following the rest of the security steps, broadcasting should be ok.

Broadcasting your wireless names allows computers with a wireless network card to see what networks are available. If you are broadcasting you need to be secure.

Wireless security comes in two main flavors:  WEP and WPA. Some consider the WPA security protocol more secure than the WEP. If your router accepts WPA, use it. With either protocol, you pick either a password or 'key'. The key is usually in the form of a hexadecimal (numbers 0-9, and letters A-F) and are a minimum of 10 characters long. As with all passwords, the longer the better. I like to use an online key generator to produce a key for me, then I copy and paste it into a word processing document with my router's password, and SSID network name. This also allows you to copy and paste the long code into Windows when you connect to the network.

• WPA Key Generator
• WEP Key Generator

Now you are ready to hook up to your new secure wireless network:

1. Double-click on the wireless network icon in your system tray (by the clock)
2. Click on your wireless network
3. Click the Connect button
4. Paste in your wireless key (twice)
5. Click OK

Wait about 30 seconds and now you can surf the Internet wirelessly!

If you decided to not broadcast your wireless connection, then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
5. Under Preferred networks, click Add.
6. In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the name of the wireless network and enter your security key.
7. Click OK.

Read all the tips in this series below:

Set up a home network - Part I

Set up a home network - Part II

Set up a home network - Part IV

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