Protecting a Wireless Connection

Wireless routers have become a mainstream product in the past few years, but are users taking the necessary steps to protect their wireless connection? The consequences of not having the correct safe guards in place can be dire. But those safe guards are generally very easy and are something that users of wireless routers should not overlook.

With the explosion in broadband penetration, use of the internet has grown massively. It is relatively common for households to have more then one Computer. It is also common for people to own laptops and want to access the internet from anywhere in their home. A wireless router allows households to connect to the internet from more then one Computer at a time, and it allows people to access the internet without the need to be physically connected to a cable.

However, many consumers do not fully understand the need to protect this wireless connection. One of the main culprits is people who do not set a password on their wireless router. This means that anyone within range can access the internet or their Computer from their wireless router. The following is just some of the consequences of this:

ID theft Copying bank details as the user types them (key stroke logging) Viewing illegal sites Stealing bandwidth Changing or deleting files

It is usually very straightforward to set up the correct security settings on a wireless router. Consumers are advised to allows follow the manufacturers instructions, as they may vary. Security settings for the wireless router can normally be access via included software, or a specific URL that you can visit.

The first thing that all consumers should do is to set a different username and password to the default. This should be something personal that others will not be able to guess.

Most wireless routers have built in encryption. This should always be turned on. If the wireless router and devices are built to the wireless B standard, then the encryption should be set to WEP. If the router and devices are the newer wireless G standard, then the encryption should be set to a more powerful WPA. Setting the encryption will prevent anyone else from access the wireless router without the encryption key. This is a very powerful security measure and is almost impossible for an intruder to get around.

Some wireless routers come with MAC adDress Filtering. This means that only Computers and devices that are specified can access the wireless router. Turning on MAC Filtering offers another layer of protection.

Failing to protect a wireless router from hackers and intruders can lead to very serious consequences. But putting the correct security measures in place is very straightforward. Always follow the manufacturers instructions. Ensure a personal username and password is set. Turn on encryption and add the encryption key to each computer and device. Set MAC Filtering if available.

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Wireless Network Setup

The best thing about a wireless network is exactly that, its wireless!
If you have a laptop or even a second desktop pc in the home, installing a wireless network is a great idea.
How about checking your emails, chatting with online friends, doing some shopping or just surfing the net all from a deck chAir in the comfort of your own garden.
Wireless networks are so easy to setup too!

The router that you get with a wireless network kit is the backbone of the system and is basicly where all signals on the network are sent to and from. The signal is enhanced via a small aerial which is found on the back. The router does not need to be connected to a desktop pc or laptop, it can be installed remotely, you just need to site it near a power Supply and a phone socket.

Every desktop pc you want to connect to the wireless network will need a wireless desktop adaptor, this is fitted by opening the case and finding a spare slot for it to go into. The wireless desktop adaptor for the desktop pc has a small aerial which is similar to that of the aerial found on the router.

Opening the desktop pc case and installing a wireless desktop adaptor is a very straight forward task. If you do not want to do this yourself, get your local dealer or a friend to install it for you. If you just have the one desktop pc you may as well just connect the router straight into the desktop pc via a network cable.

When it comes to connecting the laptop you need a wireless laptop adaptor. This is as easy as just slotting the network card into the side of the laptop.

Each desktop pc or laptop you fit a wireless adaptor to will require the software and drivers to be installed and this is done using the cd that came with them. Its just a case of following the on screen prompts to install everything necessary for the wireless network to function properly.

Once the wireless network is up and running you can share files between the lounge and the garden, you can play games between the bedroom and conservatory.

All the while the router power is on any number of the desktop pcs or laptop you have with wireless adaptors installed, will function on the network.

The strength of the signal on the wireless network will vary depending on what the type of router you have, the number of walls, obstructions etc... between the connections, interference from other electrical appliances and how far within the radius of the router you are. The wireless network kits available at the time of writing this article are quite capable of covering an average property size.

A wireless network's internet connection is 'always on' meaning that in order to connect to the internet you just open the browser and your homepage is there. The use of a logging on or connection dialog box is no longer necessary.This makes accessing the internet much more convenient.
Make sure you have a firewall, an anti-virus program and update your windows operating system regularly in order to prevent any nasty intrusions into your Computer.

There you have it, now you do not need to miss your favourite television program while waiting for that online auction to end.

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A Novice Guide To Setting Up A Wireless Network

O.K. It's time to dispel the myth about networking! Although networks, (wireless or otherwise) used to be used primarily by businesses and schools, times have changed. There are now huge benefits to installing a network at home. The thing that put's many people off is the fact that they are notoriously complicated to set up and get working. Well, as technology had advanced this process has become a darn sight easier and if you are interested in setting up your own network then don't panic. As long as you have a little patience, you can do it. There is an abundance of information on the internet to help you get through any problems so, if possible, keep one Computer off of your network, (but connected to the internet) to start with. This way you will still be able to connect to the web and get any advice and tips you need during your installation and set-up.

For those that consider yourself novices and are not sure why having a wireless network in your home is beneficial, let's take a look at some of it's uses. Many of us now have more than one Computer in our homes. Whether you have children with a PC in their room, or a laptop that you use around the house and in the garden there are some great benefits to connecting them all together. First of all, Think about your printer. Why bother having a printer for every PC, or transferring docuMents to the Computer that's attached to the only printer, when you can use a network to let your printer receive information form all your Computers? Of course the other bonus is that, with a wireless network your printer can be put anywhere in the house out of the way. If like me, you have a computer in your living room, then hiding the printer away in the cupboard is perfect.

So there's one advanTAGe. Now, what about music, videos and other media? There is no need to waste time and money putting music onto all of your hard-drives. By creating a Wireless home network you can store all you media on one hard-drive and access it via the network. Of course these are only examples. Another obvious benefit is the ability to access all of your docuMents from any computer in the network. If your chilling in the garden with your laptop and need a file from your desktop PC, no problem. Just access it via your wireless network. Now we've covered some of the more obvious benefits to installing a wireless network let's take a look at how to do it.

The first step, without a doubt is planning. You need to know what you require from your network. How many computers you want to attach, where your computers are located, and any other peripherals, (such as printers). Once you have this worked out it will be much easier to determine what equipMent you need. When looking at equipMent I would recommend that you set up your network using the 802.11g technology, as it is the most compatible.

So, let's take a look at what you will need. First of all, you'll want a broadband connection. Secondly, you need a wireless router. And third, a wireless network adaptor for each computer that is going to be part of your network. For desktop PC's, buy a USB adaptor and for laptops, get a PC card adaptor, (this will Plug into your expansion slot). Before buying your wireless network adaptor, check to make sure your PC doesn't already have this feature built-in. If it does then there is no need to buy an additional one. Also, buy your network adaptor and wireless router from the same company. This will make things far easier when setting up. Now you have your equipment, it's time to get it up and running.

UnPlug your modem and connect it to your wireless router. You will notice that your router came with a network cable. Plug one end into the back of the router, (the port labelled internet, or Wlan, or Wan) and the other end into your modem. If you are unsure which port to connect your cable to, you will need to refer to the instructions, as routers vary depending on the make. Now plug in your modem again and connect to the Internet. Next, plug in your router and turn it on. After a few 30-60 seconds you should see lights that indicate the router is connected to the modem. Now it's time to configure your modem.

Your router will have come with an adDress. Open Internet explorer and type this in the adDress bar. You may need to enter the default password at this sTAGe. This also comes with the router. You should now be looking at the configuration page for your wireless router. Don't panic if it looks technical, you only need to change a few things. First of all you will need to give your network a name. Choose something that is not too easy to guess, as this will help with security issues, and type this in the SSID section. You should also see a section that asks for a WEP or a WPA. Choose something long and random as this will prevent hackers getting in, you don't need to remember this anyway. Now you need to create an 'administrators password'. Again choose something unique containing letters and numbers, (you will need to remember this one though). Now that's done, disconnect the network cable from your computer.

Now you can connect your computers. Before doing anything, make sure you have "Windows Service Pack 2". Now, repeat the following steps for each computer.

If you have purchased a USB network adaptor, plug this into a USB port on your computer. If you have a network card for your laptop, plug this in your expansion slot. Windows should now detect your new hardware and ask you to insert the CD that came with it. Do this, and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you have completed this you will see a new icon in your taskbar, (bottom right of main windows screen). Right-click it and select 'View Available Wireless Networks'. You should now see the name of your wireless network, if you don't, click refresh. Select that network and click connect, enter the network key you will have typed in earlier and wait for it to connect. Now you can close this window.

Finally you need to...........

Do Nothing, that's it! Congratulations, assuming everything went smoothly then you just set up a wireless home network. If you encounter problems, then visit www.wirelessnetworkinstallations.com for more advice. Failing that, call the technical support that came with your router and they will be able to steer you in the right direction.

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Lock Your Router and Keep People Out

Many of us will put in our own wireless routers and if we can link to the Internet without any troubles we think the Job is completed. If you don't mind other people feeding off your connection and having access to information on your Computers than you are done. However, most of us would rather we kept our connection safe. The only way to do this is to lock the wireless router.

You need to connect to your Computer to the yellow ports using the cable. It is better to link directly to the modem so that your Computer is not able to be accessed before you can lock it.

Now access the settings page for the router. Open the Internet browser and type in your routers adDress. The number is able to be found in the network connections in Windows. Right click on the Internet connection, click status, now click on the support tab. The number must look like this 123.456.7.8.

Once you have typed in the adDress you will be able to be asked to login. Only your producer instruction manual or the web site for the producer has the ability to assist you with this.

Find the wireless security settings on the setup screen. Click on the wireless security tab.

You should find out that the security settings have been disabled. Look at the choices to see the unique types that you have the ability to select from. Numerous people will use WPA. This will allow you to enter a password so that you can access your wireless connection. The password might be saved to the settings so that you do not have to keep having to type it in.

Enter a strong password you want to utilize and press enter and save. Your wireless network connection has now been locked and password protected.

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The Negative Side Effects of Wireless Technology and How to Minimize Troublesome Symptoms

Wireless technology is making life increasingly convenient, but with all the upside, there is a downside that may be having a huge negative impact on your overall quality of life.

Restless sleep, foggy brain, memory problems, moodiness and unexplained aches and pains are just a few symptoms that can develop as the result of exposure to wireless technology. More and more studies are indicating that constant bombardMent by the intense, high-frequency radio signals that are associated with WiFi and wireless devices might even be producing more serious consequences, such as cancer, autism, and immune system disorders. By taking the ten easy steps noted below, you can reduce your risk of harm from wireless radiations and minimize uncomfortable symptoms.

If you have wireless internet service, turn off the power to your router/modem boxes when your Computer is not in use. Some routers are contained inside the modem. In other cases, the modem connects to a router and then those two units connect to your Computer. ALWAYS turn off the power to the router before you go to bed. Just turning off your Computer will not stop the high-frequency, wireless signals, which are being broadcast from an antenna inside or on top of the router box, not your computer. Cable companies and even DSL suppliers are now regularly providing routers that convert the cable or DSL signals to a high frequency radio signal, and then broadcast the signal from a small antenna inside the router box. The antenna broadcasts in all directions, with a typical broadcast radius of 100 to 500 feet or more from the antenna. Having a high frequency radio wave transmitter in your environMent is like having a miniature radio station in your home or office. These aerial "wireless" signals can be picked up by any computer within appropriate range that has wireless capability. This local area wireless networking is called WiFi, which means "wireless fidelity". If a router is associated with your computer set-up, do not assume that just because your computer is Plugged into a cable or a phone line, that you do not have wireless service. If you can access the internet from another computer in your home that is not connected directly to a cable or DSL line, your router is broadcasting a wireless signal. You will not be able to turn off the broadcast without turning off the power to the router or switching out the box to a type of router that does not have this wireless conversion capacity. On occasion, people find that even with no wireless router, they are still picking up a wireless signal. If you have a neighbor with wireless service and you are within 300 feet of their router, their wireless signals may be broadcasting through your space. A solution here could be ask the neighbor to turn off the power to their router before they go to bed, for your sake and theirs. Turn off your cellular telephone, iPhone and other wireless communication/multi-media devices, or set them to "Flight Mode", when not in use. As a general rule, limit cell phone usage, especially lengthy calls. For lengthy calls, use a land line, or make several shorter calls instead, with break periods in-between. Another option is to use a headphone and move the telephone as far away from you as possible. Do not, under any circumstances, use the type of cellular phone that you attach to your ear. Do not think that by attaching a simple EMF protector tab (many varieties are sold these days) to your phone that you are actually protected from the effects of high-frequency radiation from your phone. These so-called protection devices DO NOT PREVENT high-frequency radiation from heating up your brain tissue and affecting you in other ways when you use your cell phone for an extended period. In the case of Bluetooth phones (like Blackberries) and headphones, you do not even need to make a call for the radiation effect -- just having the phone turned on and in close proximity will irradiate every cell in your body. Charge your cellular or cordless phone on its charging base, and then unPlug the base unit until the next time you need to charge the phone. If you have wireless devices in your home or elsewhere, such as a wireless printer in your office, unPlug these devices when not in use. Spend more time in natural settings like parks and forests, or even your own backyard - places where there are trees, flowers, and other plants. If you like gardening, do more of it. Getting close to the soil (repotting plants, digging or weeding garden beds, etc.) is especially beneficial. Increase your iodine intake. Iodine is a well-known remedy for radiation poisoning. I personally take a special formulation called Atomidine, which was prescribed by Edgar Cayce in over 800 of his cases. You can purchase this product online. Be cautious with iodine suppleMents, as iodine can build up in your system and cause a variety of problems. You should check with you doctor prior to adding iodine to your health regime.

While the ideas noted above will not totally eliminate your exposure to wireless radiation, if you impleMent all these steps, you will greatly minimize your exposure and reduce the potential of experiencing the associated side effects.

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TDM-C500 ADSL2 Modem Router Connects to Wireless Router or Access Point?

Some people make mistakes in purchasing the wireless access point (AP) to create a wireless network in home and share the broadband ADSL internet connection with many client Computers within the household. They don't realize that what they currently have in home is a modem (without the routing / NAT function). When the wireless AP connects to this modem, it creates a wireless LAN but only one client Computer can access the internet at the same time. Why? The modem doesn't include the NAT function.

The NAT (Network AdDress Translation) is a fundaMental feature of the routers which is to translate and map an IP adDress or more to one or more IP adDress in different networks. Typically in home router, the NAT feature is used to map a single public IP address provided by your ISP to one or more private IP addresses behind the router (which is your internal network). In case that you have already purchased a wireless access point and your client computers cannot share the internet, your modem doesn't include the NAT feature. What you need is a modem with router function such as TDM-C500 ADSL2 modem router.

TDM-C500 is an ADSL2 modem with router function. The modem includes the dual firewall features - the NAT and SPI (stateful packet inspection). The NAT feature helps you hide your internal network from the wild internet and to share your ADSL broadband internet connection with many computers in the network.

TDM-C500 ADSL2 modem router include one 10/100Mbps Auto-MDIX RJ-45 port you can use to connect the wireless access point such as TEW-690AP N450 Wireless Access Point should you need to expand the network wirelessly. Since this TDM-C500 modem includes the router function, you don't need a wireless router for creating wireless network, just connect a wireless access point to share the broadband internet connection.

There are some wireless routers that can be switched to access point mode such as WZR-HP-G300NH Buffalo Nfiniti Wireless-N Router & Access Point. It includes external switch to change between router and access point modes. Some router manufacturers provide guidelines in connecting the router to another router (including this ADSL2 modem router) such as disabling the DHCP server, disabling the UPnP, and modifying the IP address that is in the same subnet with your current network.

Or you can connect the modem direct to the Switch should you need to expand the wired connections to the internet. The good thing with this TDM-C500 ADSL2 modem router is that it includes the DHCP server. With the DHCP server, you don't need to provide the static IP address manually to all of the client computers in the network. This will reduce the complexity of IP address administration.

Alternate Solution

The TDM-C500 ADSL2 modem router provides you the flexibility in choosing the wireless access point to create a wireless network in homes or in offices. You can connect the outdoor wireless access point (such as TL-WA5210G High Power Wireless Outdoor CPE) to provide wireless internet access for client computers in harsh outdoor environMent. This is typically suitable for site projects with many computer clients separated hundreds of Meters from the main site.

For home environMents where internet access and other wireless networking tasks are required, instead of purchasing separate TDM-C500 ADSL2 modem router plus wireless access point device you can consider purchasing the all-in-one device which includes all the requirements for building a wireless LAN. For example, TEW-635BRM TRENDnet 300Mbps wireless N ADSL2/2+ modem router. TEW-635BRM includes build-in ADSL modem plus wireless router in a single device. Or you can consider DGND3300 V2 N300 RangeMax dual band ADSL wireless modem. Both ADSL modem wireless routers are designed with 802.11n technology, but DGND3300 supports the simultaneous dual band technology to work both in 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands in the same time.

TRENDnet TDM-C500 is an ADSL2 modem router - a modem with build-in high speed router function to share the ADSL broadband internet connection with many computers in homes or offices. You need to connect a wireless access point device to create a wireless network.

By Ki Grinsing

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Connect Your Xbox 360 to the Internet - Wired LAN, Wireless Wi-Fi, or Internet Connection Sharing

Microsoft wants the Xbox 360 to be the center of your living room where you can do all sorts of things with your Hdtv such as play the hottest new games with advanced graphics engines and Watch HD video content. You can use the gaming console to access files in PCs as long as you let it join the same network the other Computers are in.

Xbox 360 has plenty of Internet features including Xbox LIVE which is basically a network of millions of gamers around the world that want to play cooperatively or competitively while sharing achieveMents, scores, and even downloadable titles. There are three ways you can connect to the Internet.

Wired Connection

1. Take an Ethernet cable and Plug it in the back of the Xbox 360. Plug the other end of the cable to an available jack on the router or directly to a modem if you do not have a router.

2. Turn on your Xbox 360 and go to "My Xbox." choose "System Settings" and go to "Network Settings." Choose the "Text Xbox LIVE Connection" option and choose "Yes" to allow the service to update your console's software. If this finishes successfully, you should have no problems with using the Internet.

Wireless Connection

1. For old Xbox 360 owners, connect the Wireless Networking Adapter to the console. Skip this step if you have the slimmer Xbox 360 model and want to connect wirelessly.

2. Head to the "System Settings" option from the "My Xbox" screen and then go to "Network Settings." Find the network name that matches the router with Internet access that you wish to connect to. Ask the person who set up the wireless router if you are unsure which one you need to connect to. If you cannot find the name, select "Specify Unlisted Network" and type in the name yourself. The person who set up the router should know the name.

3. Input the wireless network password if prompted. You also need to contact the administrator or individual that set up the router if you do not know the password.

4. Wait for the Xbox 360 to connect to the Internet and choose the "Yes" option to allow the console to download the latest update from Microsoft's servers. You should end up in Xbox LIVE afterwards which shows that your Internet properly works.

Internet Connection Sharing

1. Turn on the Computer or laptop that is using the Internet so you can share the connection with your Xbox 360. Click the Start Menu type "Ncpa.cpl" on the search box. Type this in the "Run" dialog if you are using Windows XP.

2. Right-click the connection icon that is hooked up to your router (usually the wireless connection). Click the "Sharing" tab and tick the first two checkboxes.

3. Now that your wireless connection is actively sharing, Plug your Xbox 360 into the vacant Ethernet jack.

4. Go to "My Xbox" on your Xbox 360 console and go to "System Settings" followed by "Network Settings." Choose "Wired Network" if prompted and then go to "Additional Settings". Choose "Restore to Factory defaults" and choose "Test Xbox LIVE Connection" to see if you have Internet connectivity.

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Wireless Internet CCTV - IP Addresses For Beginners, Part 2

In part 1 of this series on IP adDresses in wireless internet CCTV, I looked at how most home networks share a small number of identical IP adDresses, so your neighbour's laptop could easily have precisely the same address as your own laptop or your internet CCTV camera! Here in part 2, I'm going to show why these duplicate addresses don't cause chaos when messages are sent across the internet.

Let's use an example to show how devices can communicate successfully even if they share the same address. Say your laptop has an IP address of 192.168.1.5 and your wireless internet CCTV camera has an address of 192.168.1.101. Let's also say that your neighbour's laptop has, by coincidence, the same address as your laptop: 192.168.1.5. Before we go any further, you may be thinking that the odds of this are infinitesimally low. Well, actually they are not. This is because most home networks have IP addresses that tend to be in the same few ranges, often from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.255 or from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.255.

Back to our example, this means that when your neighbour tries to connect to your wireless internet CCTV camera (assuming you have given him the password), we would have a problem if only the home networks' IP addresses were used, because your neighbour's laptop on 192.168.1.5 would send a message to your camera at 192.168.1.101, but when the camera replies, would the reply go to back to your neighbour's laptop on 192.168.1.5, or your laptop on 192.168.1.5, or someone else's Computer somewhere else in the world that also happens to have a 192.168.1.5 address? Clearly this would not work, and that's why the internet has its own set of IP addresses that are universally unique. Continuing the above example, when your neighbour's laptop at 192.68.1.5 in his network sends a message to your internet camera, first of all the message will reach his router, which wraps it up so it is labelled with your neighbour's single unique internet IP address, say 74.125.45.100, and sends it to your network's unique internet address, say 209.191.93.53. Note that the household or "internal" address of your neighbour's laptop, 192.168.1.5, is never sent across the internet at all. Now, when the message reaches your house, more specifically your router, the router hands it to your wireless internet camera. In this way, home networks throughout the world can reuse the same IP addresses.

There is something missing from this explanation that you may have spotted. How does your router "know" that a message coming in is for your internet CCTV camera, if that camera's IP address of 192.168.1.101 is not sent in the message? The answer is that your camera is allocated a "port" number, which is sent with the message. So your neighbour, when logging into your camera, would type not just your internet IP address of 209.191.93.53 into his browser address bar, but rather 209.191.93.53:8765, where 8765 is the port number allocated to your camera. Your router would need to be set up to know that any message coming in with a port number of 8765 is to be "forwarded" to the camera. This is what we know as "port forwarding", which is really outside the scope of this article.

IP address theory is a complex business, but when it comes to working with wireless internet CCTV, you only need to know the basics, and hopefully this series of articles has helped to achieve that.

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What Is Wireless Internet And How Can I Get It?

Wireless Internet has truly changed the way the world goes online. Because of this transformative technology, you can go online and enjoy high-speed Internet access without being tied down to your home. In fact, wireless Internet is so wonderful because of the freedom it gives the individual to surf online away from the desktop, on your laptop or other portable device.

Also referred to as "wifi," wireless Internet is usually accessed on a laptop, cell phone, and other mobile computing device. You can also set up a wireless network between the Computers in your house using a special router. People use wifi at home as a way to wirelessly access the Internet from any room in the house. It really is the most convenient way to go online in the modern world.

Wireless Internet providers offer a wide range of services to customers with speeds that compete well with DSL and cable. In the past, before the introduction of wireless Internet and routers, the only way you could connect to the Internet on your laptop was through a very slow, dial-up connection. Luckily, wireless Internet now allows you to go online without having to Plug into a phone line.

Connection speeds for wireless broadband vary between 384 Kbps and 2.0 Mbps, which is a whopping 35 times Faster than your average dial-up speed. This allows users of mobile devices to carry out online tasks on the go - and you can do more than just email and text message. Plus, it allows you to wirelessly set up a network at home with the use of a router.

Wifi and wireless routers make it possible to download streaming media and large files no matter where you happen to be - this is a convenient option for media junkies who just can't get enough of online media, such as videos. This type of router in particular lets you share files between several Computers at home. In the past, you had to create a wired network for this to work - now routers make it possible to network more than one home Computer more easily. Wireless routers let you bridge several Computers together, even in different rooms.

How it works is that you purchase a wireless Internet connection, and then set up a router to transfer the signal elsewhere, and share the Internet connection.

With a laptop and router it's easy to get connected to a wifi signal and take advanTAGe of wireless broadband - almost every laptop sold now comes with a wireless modem already installed. The same goes for portable handheld devices, which have wifi capabilities built right in. The number of wifi hotspots is also increasing, so you can almost always find access to a broadband connection when you need it.

So where do you find a wifi provider? If you want to find a broadband connection in your local area, that isn't in your home or office, all you have to do is search online for hotspots that provide wireless Internet service. There are various websites that help you locate broadband connections in certain areas, especially as wireless Internet access grows in demand.

A wifi connection doesn't have many requireMents. Although different from other connections, providers do provide many of the same features provided by other services. A wireless Internet service usually requires a laptop computer or a computer that is connected to wireless routers. A regular computer may need a Wi-Fi card for the service to work properly.

For wireless Internet access you may also need sniffer software that allows you to search out hotspots around your town.

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Make My Internet Faster - Maximize Your Wireless Internet Speed

If the Computers in your home are connected on a Wi-Fi network, then you have probably realized by now that wireless connection can be quite unpredictable and slow at times. Most Internet users are used to opening web pages that load almost instantaneously.

When opening a web page takes a few minutes longer, it can be a frustrating experience, especially in the age where everything has to be quick and Fast. I myself have a wireless internet connection at home, if I were to make my Internet Faster, there are some techniques I can employ to maximize the performance of my wireless connection, and hopefully, it can help you too.

When you set up your desktop Computer, make sure that it is in an area where it is unobstructed by thick walls and strong electronic devices. Walls are actually one of the biggest problems when it comes to setting up a wireless network inside a house. Walls and large electronic devices can disrupt the signal from your wireless router to your Computer, so make sure that it is free of all that.

Many of us tend to put our computer work station next to a wall. It would be okay if the wireless router is on the same side of the wall as your computer or laptop, but if it is on the other side of the wall, a low signal should be expected. The signals from a wireless router just cannot go through walls, especially thick ones.

If you are using a laptop, try to walk with it around your home and find the areas where you can get the strongest signal. There areas in your home where there is a strong signal are known hot spots. This area is where you should set up your desktop computer, if you have one or are planning to get one.

If you have a two story home, it would be next to impossible to get a good signal on the second floor if your wireless router is situated on the ground floor. You may need to use some sort of signal amplifier on this one. Nevertheless, you should canvass the enTire house for hot spots so you will know which areas have good reception and which ones have none.

Aside from finding the hot spots, you should also make sure that you put your wireless router in a wide open room. This is how I make my Internet Faster; making sure that the wireless router is in an elevated location. This way, your wireless router can provide the best coverage and maximize its range as well. You may notice that when you go to a public location that has Wi-Fi, the wireless router is usually attached high on the wall.

Sometimes, it is even mounted on ceiling. This is to acquire maximum coverage and optimal signal range. Take this technique and apply it to your own wireless home network. You should also make sure that your wireless router is sitting next to a huge electronic device that transmits strong signals; these signals can interrupt the signals coming from your router to your workstation.

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3 Tips to Fix Unreliable Wireless Connections

Generally speaking, wireless Computer connections are reliable. However, nothing is perfect, and sometimes you may lose your connection or experience a weak signal. There are many factors that impact the reliability of your wireless connection.

For example, if your wireless adapter is too close to a 2.4 GHz wireless telephone, you may notice a decrease in your Computer's wireless single strength. Why? Because the phone and the computer reside on the same frequency and can interfere with each other's performance.

Handy RepAir Checklist for Wireless Interruptions

1. First check to see if your cable or DSL is actually working. Usually located in your baseMent, most modems have four lights. You have a live Internet connection if the "data" or "status" light is on. If it's off, or flashing, your cable is out.

2. If your cable/DSL is working, then reboot your computer. Sometimes, if your cable/DSL goes out for even 10 seconds, your computer and the wireless router may no longer be able to talk to each other. By rebooting your computer, a new IP adDress is assigned, allowing them to once again communicate.

3. If your desktop is wireless and you've moved the wireless adapter [the box that sits next to the computer with antennas], then you may need to move the adapter until you find a stronger signal.

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DSL Wireless Modem - An All In One Device to Build a Wireless Network in the Home

Building a wireless network in home or SOHO (Small Office Home Office) is not a very difficult task to do today, even though by someone without Computer networking experience. With DSL wireless modem, you can build a wireless network in home easily and securely.

For mostly people without any Computer network knowledge, building the wireless network in home is even something that they never imagine before. However, if they know all the requireMents to build a wireless network can be replaced by a single all-in-one DSL wireless modem, technical complexities of computer networking, connection, and configuration can be minimized as small as possible.

One of the apparent reasons to build a wireless network in home today is to share the broadband internet connection with many computers in the household. Besides, with the wireless network in home you can browse the internet with your laptop at the pool side, with your Wi-Fi phone or Skype phone - you can make some internet calls anywhere within the house without the need of turning-on the computer, or you can go live game with your XBOX console in the comfort of your living room without the clutter of the wires. All the requireMents you need to build a simple wireless network in home or SOHO is a single all-in-one DSL wireless modem. What are actually the requireMents to build a wireless network in home?

Firstly, you need a DSL modem. A modem is a digital to analog signal converter and vice versa, and is an interface device between the subscriber premises and the local Telco or the ISP. Generally when you signup for a broadband internet services, the ISP provides you a modem which is connected directly to a single computer using a USB connection or Ethernet connection. A DSL wireless modem includes a built-in DSL modem - the first requirements you need.

Secondly, you need a router or firewall. A router or firewall protects your private internal network from public networks (the internet) against any types of the threats. Typically home routers are powered by the dual-firewall feature - NAT and SPI. Network adDress translation (NAT) helps you hide the private network from the public network, while the stateful packets inspection (SPI) inspects the incoming packets precisely and thoroughly against any false positive packets. A DSL wireless modem includes the function of dual-firewall - the second requirements you need.

Thirdly, you need a wireless access point. All wireless devices communicate with the wireless network infrastructure using the wireless access point. Access point bridges network devices in the wireless network with the network devices in the wired network. Wireless access points extend your network wirelessly within the wireless coverage. A DSL wireless modem includes the function of the wireless access point - the third requirements you need.

Lastly, you need a LAN Switch that will interface the wireless access point to the wired network. Typically the DSL wireless modem includes a 4-port LAN Switch. With these Ethernet ports, you can also connect the computers directly using the UTP LAN cable; and connect the Ethernet print server to share the printer on the network. The recent products shipped with the 10/100/1,000 Mbps Gigabit port - with auto-sensing Ethernet port. With auto-sensing LAN port, you don't need to worry about the cable type used, either cross UTP cable or straight-through cable - the system will detect the cable type used and adjust the system automatically.

Typical DSL wireless modem includes the above four functions, a DSL modem, a router / firewall, a wireless access point, and a Switch LAN. By purchasing this single all-in-one device - the DSL wireless modem; you can build a simple wireless network in home or SOHO easily and securely. You do not need to buy separate devices to reduce the complexity of the connection, the configuration, and the setting of the wireless network.

Network Setup and Connection

Since DSL wireless modem is a single device - a single solution in building the wireless network, the connection and configuration is simple. By default, with a single connection to the DSL line - the wireless network will be functional. Off course, with the default setting - no security encryption is applied to the wireless connection. Security feature is not enabled by default.

Connect the Internet port (or the WAN port) of the DSL wireless modem to the phone line (the DSL line). Unlike dial-up connection, DSL internet uses the same line as the phone line without interfering each other; both Internet and voice can work together at the same time. Traditional internet using dial-up modem uses the phone line for Internet connection, but at the same time you cannot use the line for the voice (phone calls) until the internet connection is released. With this single connection, your DSL wireless modem is ready to provide wireless roaming within the house and all the computers (with the Wi-Fi enabled) can connect to the network with a simple configuration and even with a simple Plug and play.

Each computer on the network needs an IP adDress to be able to communicate via the network, so how can you provide and configure the IP adDress? DSL wireless modem includes a DHCP service which is enabled by default. DHCP server provides and leases the IP address configuration to the computers on the network automatically.

There are many DSL wireless modems available at the market today ranging from devices with 802.11g standards and the latest standard is the draft 2.0 802.11n. Draft 802.11n is the future wireless technology which is not ratified yet, but mostly all the wireless manufacturers have shipped their products using 802.11n standards.

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Wireless Network Trouble Shooting: Hidden Wireless Secrets Revealed

Do you always notice your wireless adapter is always dropping and reconnecting to your wireless network. If you don't know what I mean just Watch the balloon in the bottom right hand corner of you windows Xp task bar. Your wireless adapter should stay connected and that's it if you are constantly connecting and reconnecting then you have problems.

1. Update your wireless adapters Driver - To obtain the most updater driver for your wireless adapter proceed to the manufactures website and go the support section. They should ask you for your model of wireless adapter, leading you to the most up to date driver for your wireless adapter. Updating your wireless adapter is very important because if you are trying to connect to a network that is using WPA2 most of the initial drivers already have patches out. After you re-install your wireless adapters driver then you will need to restart you Computer.

2. Next if this still doesn't work you should take the battery out of your laptop and hold the power button down for about a minute. Not sure of the exact details of why this works but it does have something to do with getting rid of all the static charges that might interfere with your wireless adapter.

3. Stopping and restarting windows xp wireless zero configuration utility - Proceed to the run Menus and type msconfig, then go to services and go all the way down to the bottom and uncheck the wireless zereo configuration utility and then restart your Computer. Next after your wireless laptop is powered up then we will restart the wireless zero configuration utility, go to the run Menu again and typ services.msc, press W to go all the way to the bottom and then right clidk the wireless zero config services and press start.

4. Delete all of you wireless network profiles - Reconfigure all your wireless network profiles by typing in your SSID, WPA, WPA2 and passphrase. Try using WPA2 but not use AES encryption, use mixed or TKIP this might help.

5. Update all of your wireless access points Firmware - When WPA2 first came out all wireless hardware companies rushed out updated drivers and firmware, well most of those drivers and firmware's had minor glitches which have been fixed now.

6. Change your wireless adapters stickiness - In you wireless adapters advanced properties check to see that your your wireless adapters stickiness is set to medium - Stickiness means how aggressively your wireless router will jump from access point to access point in order to find the best signal. If it is set to high you might end up losing more that gaining.

The first things I would do before doing anything else is updating your wireless adapter's firmware and then deleting your wireless network profiles.

wireless router reviews

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New D Link Dir-827 and Dir-857: The First Wireless Routers With a USB 3.0 Port

Being able to share an external storage attached to the wireless router is an advanTAGe to support your multimedia wireless environMent. This is particularly advanTAGeous if your wireless router supports a built-in media server. Wireless routers with a built-in media server allow you to stream multimedia files stored in the attached storage to the Blu-Ray player, XBOX console, and Hdtv seamlessly.

Standard home wireless routers do not include a USB port, but mostly home wireless routers which fall into high performance router category are embedded with one or two ports. USB 2.0 port can deliver data rate transfer up to 480Mbps. If you have 5 or ten users or even more on your network either via wired or wireless connections access the files stored in the attached storage intensively time to time, you will experience a slow performance in accessing or transferring the files to and from the storage. This is due to the maximum data rate transfer the USB 2.0 device can deliver is up to 480Mbps. What if the router is embedded by Superspeed (aka USB-3.0) port?

Intel specifies the speed of Superspeed port as Fast up to 10 times as the speed of traditional USB 2.0 port with the data rate transfer up to 5Gbps. In CES 2011 D Link showcased two wireless routers which are embedded by Superspeed port: the Dir-827 and the Dir-857 wireless dual band routers with data rate transfer up to 2Gbps. It's not as Fast the maximum speed transfer as Superspeed port specified by Intel (5Gbps), but it is still as Fast 4 times as those traditional routers with USB 2.0 port.

Both Dir-827 and Dir-857 are true simultaneous dual band routers with USB 3.0 port but with different speed. The Dir-827 is engineered by wireless N600 technology with the speed up to 300Mbps similar to the Wndr3800 N600 router, while the Dir-857 is engineered by the wireless N750 technology with the speeds up to 450Mbps similar to the Linksys E4200 N750 router.

How do you compare Dir-827 with Linksys E4200 router? The main differences between Dir-827 and E4200 wireless routers are the speed, the USB port and the guest network. Firstly, the total bandwidth Dir-827 can deliver is up to 600Mbps (300Mbps each band) but Linksys E4200 is up to 750Mbps. Secondly, the Dir-827 includes one Superspeed port but Linksys E4200 includes traditional USB 2.0 port. Not just that, Superspeed port in Dir-827 is powered by Shareport technology to let you easily host an external storage or printer which can be accessed by users on the network. And the last but not the least, Linksys E4200 supports guest network to provide your guests internet access without compromising your private network, but D Link Dir-827 doesn't support guest network.

Except the Superspeed port compliant, the D Link Dir-827 is similar to Netgear WNDR3800 premium edition which the USB port can be used to share the storage or the printer. Is the Superspeed port in both Dir-827 and Dir-857 important for your need? You will judge, but I prefer the wireless router which includes two USB ports for hosting both storage and printer concurrently to support my "work and play" environMent.

wireless router range extender

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How to Choose the Best Xbox Wireless Adapter For Wireless Connection to the Network

Xbox Wireless adapters are used to connect the Xbox console wirelessly to the existing network (that is connected to the broadband internet) to allow you play games online in the comfort of your living room without the hassle of running the network cable.

Wireless network in home provides the easiness and portability. For gamers, having the wireless network in home is a much benefits. With your Xbox console, you can find a convenience place to experience online gaming without the clutter of the wires. How can you do that? You need an interface that allows you to connect to the existing network via the radio frequency band. Xbox wireless adapter will function as the bridge that will allow the Xbox console to communicate with the network via the Airwave and then connect to the wild internet.

Identify Your Existing Wireless Standard

One of the main reasons you build a wireless network in home is to share the broadband internet connection with many Computers or any other network clients including the Xbox in the household. Now, which Xbox wireless adapter will fit to your existing network? Firstly you need to identify your existing network environMent which wireless standard it is: 802.11 b/g/n or dual band. Dual-band frequency can be wireless G/A (802.11a/g) or wireless N/A (802.11a/n) network standards.

Knowing which standard your existing network is, certainly you need the adapter with the same standard as your network. For example, if you use the wireless -G router for your network, you should also need wireless -G adapter for the Xbox. However that stateMent doesn't always true. Basically you can connect wireless -N adapter to the existing wireless -G network. But, you need to identify if the adapter is labeled with the Wi-Fi Certified. With the Wi-Fi Certified labeled, the adapter is assured to be compatible with the standards as described in the labeled (wireless b/g/n).

Should y0u choose the adapter from the same vendor as your router? Wi-Fi Certified labeled will guarantee that the adapter will be compatible with any industrial wireless devices. Or you can identify the manufacturer specification if the adapter supports the Xbox console. Basically the principle of the Xbox wireless adapter is a wireless bridge. You can use any types of wireless bridges as the wireless game adapter with Ethernet port enable to connect to the existing wireless network.

Future Upgrade

Probably your existing wireless b/g network is not satisfactory for daily tasks that demand higher speed, reliable connection and longer distance coverage, and you plan for future upgrade with the new wireless technology available today - the wireless n with dual-band network. Then you need the Xbox wireless adapter that is powered by the most recent technology available in the marketplace today: the 802.11n standard with dual-band feature. With the adapter that supports the draft 802.11n and dual-band technology, you will achieve the maximum throughput when connecting to the most powerful wireless router that supports draft 802.11n, dual-band, and QoS.

Wireless -G Adapter

If your existing network uses the router with 802.11 b/g standard, and you will never plan for future upgrade to 802.11n dual-band, then you should choose the Xbox wireless adapter with 802.11g standard. The adapter with 802.11G standard is cheaper than 802.11N.

Microsoft introduces two types Xbox adapters with 802.11G standards, one of them supports dual-band (wireless -G/A) and the other one is 802.11G adapter that supports all the wireless b/g/n networks.

D-Link also introduces DWL-G820 and DGL-3420 which are powered by 802.11G standards, but the DGL-3420 is a dual-band (wireless -g/a) version with the maximum speed up to 108Mbps in ideal condition.

Wireless -N adapter

For Xbox wireless adapter with 802.11n standard, Microsoft also introduces the wireless -n version with dual-band features. The adapter is designed for compact and high performance and is powered by Xbox 360 to eliminate adapter clutter. TrendNet also introduces TEW-647GA gaming adapter which is also powered by wireless -n standard. Linksys also introduces WET610n Linksys Gaming Adapter which is powered by wireless -n with dual-band feature too.

If the price different among Xbox wireless adapter products are not much big different, having the wireless -n with dual-band technology would be much benefit. If your current wireless network is based on wireless -n router with dual band, the throughput would be optimum. But if your current wireless network is based on wireless -g router, make sure that your wireless -n adapter is backward compatible with wireless -g standard.

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Using MAC Address Filtering To Secure Your Wireless Network

MAC adDress Filtering is a very simple yet effective way to secure your wireless network. With MAC Filtering you can specify precisely which Computers can connect to your wireless network and which cannot. This way even if someone knows your hidden SSID and security key they will not be able to connect to your wireless network if you don't want them to. This is a great form of additional security.

A MAC adDress is a unique hexadecimal number which has been burned into a networking devices circuit board at the manufacturer. In most cases a network devices MAC is invisible without the use of a command called "ipconfig". By going to your command prompt and typing in "ipconfig /all" (Without the quotes) you'll find your Computers "physical adDress". The physical adDress is your MAC address and usually looks something like this: 00-0F-1F-D5-6A-37. Theoretically no two Mac addresses in the world are alike.

Computers and other wireless devices can only connect to a network if it is assigned an IP address that belongs on that network. Generally speaking if your routers IP address is 192.168.0.1 a network device must have an IP address somewhere between 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.254. A network device with an IP address of 192.168.2.10 would not be able to connect directly to that network. IP addresses are typically assigned to computers and network devices dynamically by a service called DHCP. DHCP uses a network devices MAC address to identify it and keep track of which IP address it gets.

No MAC - No IP address.

No IP address - No network connection.

Using MAC Filtering we can influence this behavior to our advanTAGe. We can create what is called a MAC Filtering table on our wireless router and specify only the MAC addresses that we want on our network. This is done by using the "ipconfig /all" command Mentioned earlier to find the MAC of each of our preferred network devices and adding them to the MAC filtering table on our router. Adding addresses is done by accessing the routers web interface. Many routers have utilities which make this process a breeze.

Once everything is set up the router will check a computers MAC before allowing it to connect to your network. If there is a match in the routers table it will be allowed to connect or "associate" to the network. If not a connection is not allowed. Period.

MAC address filtering is not a foolproof way to secure your wireless network and should not be considered a substitute for wireless encryption. It's an additional layer of security for your wireless network and added peace of mind for you and your family.

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Default Router Address (1921681254)

It is an IPv4 adDress and is mostly used as a default IP adDress for many ADSL and cable modems or routers. The major routers and modems which use 192.168.1.254 as a default IP include Westell ADSL modems and Cayman/Motorola Netopia internet gateways, Thompson ADSL routers, some TP-Link routers, Alcatel ADSL modems, 3Com routers, SRW2023 Linksys switches, and ADSL Billion routers.

Following are given answers of some of the important questions from the users related to IP.

What is the Common Usage of 192.168.1.254 IP?

We have explained earlier that it is the private IP for large number of different modems and routers. However, you can use this IP adDress in your local network also, but before that make sure that network is not connected to any other router using the same IP. In that case you will have to face the IP conflict issue.

Why is 192.168.1.254 a Private IP AdDress?

It is called private IP address because it fits into the IP range reserved by IANA as a private range. It is usually done to avoid the lack of availability of IP address.

Can I change IP of My Router?

Default IP is installed on routers and modems by manufacturers, such as 192.168.1.254. Yes, you can change the default IP to any other required address. For this check the user manual you have got with your router for instructions.

I can't Access to My Router at 192.168.1.254. What can I do?

There can be many reasons for this and you have to look out for them. First check the 192.168.1.254 private IP address of your router. Check the cables or any other network drivers for possible damage. Check the whether your local area connection is configured properly or not. There can be anything which has to find out before contacting any technical support or your network administrator. Following are given few more things which you should try before calling in for help.

- In case you have a wireless router, make sure signals are strong and stable.
- Check your router settings, you may accidentally changed them.
- Make sure your firewall settings right.
- Try to reset your router.
- Did you configure TELNET or SSH on your router.
- Make sure that you have typed IP address is right, i.e. 192.168.1.254
- Try to reset your local area connection.
- Try to reset your Computer.
- Make sure that the cables between your Computer and router are properly connected.
- Make sure that the connectors on cables between your computer and router are properly connected and in good condition.
- Make sure that if your router has a switch it should be in good condition. Any broken switch can disrupt the enTire network. Remove the broken switch and try again.

If all these things failed then there is chance that your router has malfunction. Better to call for technical help before reaching to any decision.

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The Advantages of Using Wireless Broadband

How easy would it be if you could surf the internet sitting in your living room, or while having a coffee in your dining room or while Cooking in the kitchen or while relaxing in your bedroom sans the inconvenience caused by the usual internet cables? With the advent of wireless broadband, even that has become possible. You don't need a modem and you don't need a cable to be connected. Just Plug in a wireless router into the modem that connects your Computer remotely to that router via a wireless card. This card is usually installed onto your PC, or in some cases, it comes included with your newly purchased laptop.

Apart from the fact that wireless broadband allows you to surf the internet without the disturbances and troubles of cables, it is also known for its high speed. It is quite irritating and frustrating when your internet connection becomes weak especially if you are downloading something or using internet for some urgent work. But with your wireless connection, you don't have to worry about that problem.

It is also quite easy to set up a wireless broadband connection. You can either do it yourself with the help of a friend and a manual or call a professional. Moreover, you just don't have to worry about your expenses as well. You just have an initial payMent and you will have lifelong connection of wire free internet usage.

The biggest worry that still restraints internet users from using wireless broadband is the notion of having weak signals. This was a problem that the wireless connection had in the past. However with the improveMent in science and technology and with the increased popularity of wireless connection, there has been several changes in the production of wireless routers thus enabling a Faster and steadier internet connection. These days, wireless connections are even better than the usual cable connections.

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Linksys Wireless Router WRT54GL

Check the pros and cons of Linksys wireless router WRT54GL - Titan of Work.

If you are a Wi-Fi amateur, you may find yourself in Router Jungle. There are a lot of routers out there, some with instructions that don't provide a step-by-step guide, some with cheap hardware solutions and it's not hard to be overcharged for your average router.

To avoid those problems I've recomMend Linksys family and WRT54GL Linksys router for your first home and small business wireless router. For me it's Titan of Work - it's just a little device, but it's very powerful.

First of all, this Linksys wireless router can use both wired and wireless links, so you can share internet as you wish. WRT54GL have four Ethernet slots and can handle up to 255 wireless devices in your area. In other words - you can build your custom network with your PC, notebook, workstation on LAN, and a Wi-Fi game console hook up.

Your Wi-Fi signal has also better quality, because of two antennas that are in box with WRT54GL Linksys router. That means you don't have to worry that those thick walls in your apartMent will cause more distractions. This Linksys wireless router will handle most of it. Of course, it also has its own limitations, but most other routers have only one Wi-Fi antenna and their signal isn't as good as this one.

The setup is one of the most user-friendly out there. Complete step-by-step installation manual will help you configure all options you need to set up. This router has also a backup program, in case you will have to hard reset router and configure it again. Just resend that configure file to router and it will work again.

This Linksys router, is running on Linux firmware and working on 802.11 b and g standard. It supports WPA, WPA2 and the older WEP encryption types. In addition, it has a built-in MAC adDress Filtering, Quality of Service tool, Universal Plug-and-Play for your programs and games ports, firewall, and supports access policies (such as "don't allow Deny's Computer to connect via FTP on Mondays").

Speaking of Quality of Service tool, this Linksys wireless router have really good built-in program. Most of modern house have more than one device that use your Linksys router to connect to internet. Your PC, notebook, game console, mobile phone, sometimes even a TV. You know what will happen if you connect all of those devices into non-QoS router? Disaster! All your devices want to use most of your internet transfer and it will end by flooding your Linksys router.

Linksys wireless router WRT54GL has Quality of Service option. You can Plug-in all your devices and specify which device needs more of your internet transfer and which needs less. It's very convenient and helps a lot for long-term using Linksys router.

In conclusion, this router has one of the best comparison quality/price. You can plug it into your ADSL modem and create a custom network in just few steps. It's one of easiest to configure, and one of the most stable out there. Maybe it is the best solution for home and small business.

Pros:
- Stable, long-term working,
- Supports QoS,
- Easy setup
- Plenty of customization options
- Top quality signal via two antennas

Cons:
- Out of date body design

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Installing the Westell Wireless With the Cable Modem

Installing the Westell wireless router is the straightforward process that the novice may complete. The wireless router will give you the ability in accessing the Internet from the Computer with the wireless capabilities. This will be much helpful if you use the laptop and do not work at the fixed location. It will also make it possible for many people in accessing the single Internet connection at one time. Here is more information that you can read in installing the Westell wireless with the cable modem. You have to be careful in doing the following steps so that you will get what you really need.

For the first step, you can Plug in the cable modem. You should Plug the cable into the back of the slot of the back of the modem. There is only a location where it will fit; therefore there will be no change for doing an error.

For the second step, you need to Plug in the DSL cable to the modem. It will generally be provided by the cable company once they provide the cable modem to you. Then, plug another end of your DSL cable into the Westell router.

After that, plug the Westell router into the AC adapter. Then, plug the AC adapter into the electrical outlet. It is important for you to insert the CD from the Westell router into the optical drive. You can follow the on-screen prompts in order to set up your router. If you want to secure the connection, you need to choose "secured" when it is prompted and also include the password.

For the last step, you can check for the Internet connection on the Computers that contains the wireless card. Due to the different operation systems, there can be slight modifications necessary and also the individual computer will also alert you which steps that you have to take. It will also consist of entering the password into the logon screen if you have chosen to get the secured connection. Now you can enjoy exploring the Internet connection with your personal computer. Be sure that it will do well so that you can get the high speed connection to the Internet. This will be great fro your needs.

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Linksys E3000 Router - An Upgraded Form of the Dual-Band Beast

The new heir to the Cisco throne is finally out. The Linksys E3000 router has arrived and is here to dominate other 3rd Party router manufacturers. This is a minor upgrade from the WRT160N model but in the end it is still a fierce beast.

Linksys has already ceased the old model number trending and started with the new E-series. Instead of having the model number start with "WRT", you will now see router models that start with "E". The E3000 router may have the previous design of its predecessors but you will notice that the sleek blue and black body appears without an antennae on it. It definitely looks great in a personal office or living room.

The Linksys E3000 may be a minor upgrade from the WRT160N but it has some major exceptions. This router is capable of handling transfer speeds of up to 300Mbps. It also has dual band wireless-N for seamless wireless connectivity, and a 4-Gigabit Ethernet port for Faster hardwired connections. Moreover, it has a USB port for 'Universal Plug n' Play (UPnP) media streaming and file sharing options.

The router is easier to set up using the new software that comes with it. It is somehow similar to Cisco's new Valet router which is also one of the easiest and Fastest to setup. The E-series has a decent graphic user interface (GUI). Configuring this new router has become effortless compared to the old Linksys interface, as it lets you manage the basic security settings easily.

This E3000 router can serve as a "Universal Plug N' Play" (UPnP) media server. It has a USB port for added purposes like file transfer which is very useful. It also lets you stream media from whatever storage device is Plugged in to the USB port of the router. This router can serve as a network drive, allowing you to also add and remove files using the system's own file browser. Transferring a 1.5 GB file using this router may take approximately nine minutes to complete, which is good. However, working out the UPnP feature of this router can be a little confusing as the graphic user interface (GUI) does not extend to this particular function.

As for the wireless range, the E3000's definition of a dual band router does not fail to reach the user's expectations. It can operate at both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz. This is absolutely a router that can broadcast at both frequencies, where you can benefit from both speed and range. Having the wireless N technology, it connects Computers with a stable and fast connection. The dual band status can connect through the standard 2.4GHz or the 5GHz, adjusting to the interferences that exist in the area. At 5GHz you can stream movies without any interruptions.

The E3000's dual band feature was tested and was proven to get good wireless signal strength, even at the worst point of access.

The Linksys E3000 router's features are very remarkable. While some of its features are common, this router makes the distinction of having a better wireless range and quality concurrent with its UPnP feature. If you need a router that has dual band and a media sharing or file transfer features to come with it, this is the router for you.

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7 Easy Steps to Secure Your Wireless Router

Accessing Your Wireless Router's Configuration

To gain access to your wireless router settings and configuration Menu then connect to the router either wirelessly or via a Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and type either:

[http://192.168.1.1] or[http://192.168.2.1]1) Change Admin password

Most wireless routers ship with a blank password. It is essential that this is changed else a potential hacker could get into your router configuration and lock you out of your own hardware.

2) Change The Network Name (otherwise known as the SSID)

The default network name is usually made up of the name/model of your wireless router. This information gives a head start for a hacker and makes it easier for them to break into your network. Don't rename it to something like your surname or house name as this unnecessarily exposes personal information. Rename it to an alpha-numeric string - this can be up to 32 characters long.

3) Turn off SSID broadcasting

By default, a wireless router's SSID is broadcast so anyone in the vicinity of your wireless router can see that it. SSID broadcasting can be turned off thus making your wireless router virtually invisible.

4) Enabling Encryption

This is switched off by default. There is a choice of WEP, WPA and WPA2. Currently the latest encryption method is WPA2 so use this where possible. Both your wireless router and wireless PC adaptor must be configured to use the same encryption.

5) Mac AdDress Control

All hardware has a unique MAC adDress associated with it, including your PC adaptor card. This MAC address can be added to access control list in the wireless router. Only devices added to the router's access control list are allowed to be connected.

6) Update router firmware

It is recomMended that the latest router firmware is downloaded from the manufacturer's website and installed in the router. This will hopefully fix any bugs that have been found for your router and also help with any known security flaws in the router itself.

7) Backup settings

Finally, backup all router settings. If you reset the router back to its factory default settings for whatever reason, your configuration can later be easily and quickly restored back into the router.

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