Setting Up a Wireless Satellite Internet Network

There are several advanTAGes of going wireless with your internet service. You can network your home or office Computers easier, you aren't tethered to the wall and you can access the internet on multiple Computers at the same time. If you are interested in going wireless and you are also interested in satellite internet service, then you may want to set up a wireless satellite internet network.

Setting Up a Wireless Satellite Internet Network

Setting Up a Wireless Satellite Internet Network

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Setting Up a Wireless Satellite Internet Network

Setting Up a Wireless Satellite Internet Network

The first step is to subscribe to a satellite internet service. These services are broadband so they are generally going to work with wireless networking equipMent that has traditionally been used to create wireless networks for land based broadband internet services. The three top choices for satellite internet service are StarBand, HughesNet and WildBlue.

While you are waiting for your satellite internet service to be installed, you will want to buy all of the wireless networking equipMent that you will need. First of all if you don't have a computer that has an internal wireless networking card already built in then you will want to either buy one that does, or you will want to buy a wireless network adapter. Next you will need a wireless router.

After your satellite internet system has been set up you will be ready to connect your wireless network. To start with, connect your satellite internet modem to the router. The router will then send signals to your computer via infrared signals. Configure your router following the instructions that came with your router.

If you are using a wireless network adapter you will want to Plug this into a USB port in your computer. Otherwise your computer should receive the signal using its internal wireless card. Turn your computer on and follow the instructions that came with your satellite internet system to set up your account if your technician didn't already do this for you. That's all there is to it.

Setting Up a Wireless Satellite Internet Network

How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof

Security has become second nature to people over the years, whether it be your home, car, or personal, clean. Our Computers are no exception to this, as digital thieves are lurking everywhere, and can be almost impossible to detect by the average Computer user. Preventing unauthorized access to your wireless home or business network (Wi-Fi) is an extremely important measure to take, as a hacker doesn't need to know you personally to target you, and they can be in a house or apartMent nearby, or even in a car parked on the street. Wi-Fi hackers have been known to drive around neighborhoods searching for wireless networks in people's homes, gain access through various unlocked doors in a wireless router's configuration, and then have a field daywith your information. In this article, we will go step by step through the different configurations of your wireless router that leave your network vulnerable, and what to change to make your network virtually hacker proof.

Step 1: The first thing that we have to do is login to our router's configuration utility. To do so, you must first figure out what your gateway's IP adDress is. You can do this by going to Start, Run and typing in > cmd. This will open a command prompt session of. In command prompt, type ' ipconfig ' without the quotations, and press enter. If done while connected to your network, this will return several different numbers. The one we need is listed as "Default Gateway". Take the IP adDress listed as "Default Gateway" and write it down, orcopy it. If you're not familiar with IP adDresses, it is a series of numbers separated by periods like this: 192.168.1.1 In fact, this particular IP address I just used as an example is the most common gateway, but yours may be listed as something different. Now, with this IP address copied, open a web browser such as internet explorer or Firefox, and paste or type the IP address, exactly as it shows into the address bar and press enter. This will bring up the login page for your router. If you know your login details, enter them here, if not, you will have to find the manufacturer's User ID and password for your router. You can find this in the manual that came with the router, or by going to the manufacturer's website and searching for the manual under the> router's model number (this can be found on a sticker on the back, side, or bottom of the router.) You can first try common ones like "admin" for the User ID, and password for the password, or "admin" for both User ID and password. If these don't work, refer to the manufacturer's manual for the User ID and password. If you set up your own User ID and password and forgot them, or the manufacturer's default User ID and password are not working, if other people in your home have access to the router or it had a previous owner, the default User ID and password may have been changed. In such a case you can reset them back to the defaults by pressing and holding the reset button on the back of the router for at least 5 seconds. Now you can login using the defaultUser ID and password set by the manufacturer.

Step 2: Change your User ID and password if they are set to the manufacturer's defaults. If someone gains access to your wireless network, they can easily log into your router's settings and change them to their liking.

How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof

How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof

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How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof

How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof

Step 3: Change your SSID. Your SSID is the name that you see for your wireless network when you search for open networks using a Wi-Fi enabled device. If the SSID is set to the manufacturer's default, anyone searching for an open network nearby can see yours, and with a little searching on the internet they can figure out the model number of your router, which will help them gain access to your router's settings.

How to Make Your Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Hacker-Proof

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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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.

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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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How to Connect Your Netbook to a Wireless Network

One of the great benefits of a netbook or mini laptop is the ease with which they can be carried as they are so small and light. It makes sense to take full advanTAGe of this by setting up a wireless network that eliminates the need for wires and allows you to connect to the Internet via broadband whenever the netbook is switched on, and to share the connection between more than one Computer if you wish.

Types of broadband

There are two types of broadband service - ADSL, which uses the telephone lines, and Cable, which uses a cable network. Both require a piece of equipMent called a "router" in order to work, and they are different for each service. Make sure you have the right type of router for your broadband service or it will not work.

Why go wireless?

If you use a wired router connection from an ADSL or cable modem you can only connect a single Computer as there is only one network (Ethernet) port leading from the router to the Computer. However, with a wireless router you can connect the Ethernet cable to the router which will than broadcast the wireless signal to as many computers as you want.

Types of Router

When you first register for broadband with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) you will be sent a router which you must install yourself so that you can connect a computer to it. Occasionally, if you have a cable service (like Virgin Media or NTL in the UK), an engineer will visit your home and fit a "cable modem" for you first. You will still have to connect the router to it yourself though.

How to Set Up a Network

To set-up a wired connection, all you have to do is follow a few simple steps; you attach a cable from the telephone socket (or cable modem) to the router and another cable from the router to the computer, power up, configure the router, set up security and you're done. Every ISP provides detailed instructions on how to set this up specifically for their service, so keep the instructions and follow them.

Each computer will need a wireless card (or adapter) to read this signal and connect to the Internet, but most modern laptops and all netbooks have this built in. If you set up a wireless network in your home or office, you can connect to the Internet, share printers and even files between any computers connected to the network - that way, any computer can send Jobs to the printer.

To set up a wireless network you need the following components:

a broadband internet connection (either ADSL or cable) depending on your ISP, a modem Filters and/or signal splitter for an ADSL phone line a wireless router and two network cables a computer with a built in wireless networking card or If it's not built in, a wireless network adapter for each computer

Setting up your Wireless Broadband Internet

Once you have everything you need, set up the wireless network as follows:

Step 1

Plug the Filter into the phone socket, then the cable from the Filter into the ADSL modem

Step 2

Plug network Cable 1 into the ADSL modem

Step 3

Turn on the power into the modem

Step 4

Plug the other end of Cable 1 into the router

Important: If you don't have a modem, connect the Filter (microfilter) to the phone socket then connect the telephone line from the filter directly into the back of your router.

Step 5

Turn the power to the router on

Step 6

Plug Cable 2 into the router

Step 7

Plug Cable 2 into the Ethernet port of the computer

Step 8

Turn on the computer and open a browser

Step 9

Type in the default IP adDress (192.168.1.1) to open the configuration panel

Step 10

Configure the router as follows:

default username is usually "admin"

default password is usually "admin"

enter the network key (SSID)

Step 11

Set security options

choose either WEP or WPA-PSK

choose the encryption type

When you finish configuring the router, unplug the Ethernet cable from the computer. You should now be able to locate available networks from the icon in the system tray in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. Locate the network you have just set up and choose connect.

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Wireless Network Components - Basics of Any Wireless Network

Client Software and Adapter

Any client Computer, laptop or wireless device with a compatible wireless client adapter allows connectivity with an access point. The client adapter is a radio transmitter with firmware that supports any of 802.11a/b/g signaling. That is needed before the device can associate and authenticate with the access point. Some access points have a no client mode that doesn't allow any association from clients extending network distance. Client wireless software included with the adapter must be impleMented with specific Windows platforms. The client adapter will be integrated with the laptop, PCMCIA slot or desktop PCI bus slot. They will support specific wireless standards, antenna characteristics, WiFi certification, WDS, network range and security. The wireless manufacturer software must be impleMented for all available features. The following is a list of some client adapter configured settings.

Access Point (AP)

As the name suggests an AP (access point) allows connectivity between the wireless client or wireless device and the wired network. The AP takes wireless data packets from a client and translates them to standard Ethernet data frames before transmitting across the wired network. Standard category 5 twisted pAir cabling will connect the AP point Ethernet port with a catalyst switch Ethernet port. The maximum distance between access point and network switch is 100 Meters standard with Ethernet design.

WLAN Controllers

Wireless designs with hundreds of root APs on an enterprise network will sometimes deploy wireless LAN controllers. The design specifies lightweight APs connecting to a network switch. The 4404 WLAN controller device acts as a hub connecting 4 network switches supporting 100 access points. Cisco wireless control system (WCS) wireless network manageMent software is sometimes deployed with WLAN controller design for planning, configuring and optimizing the network.

Power Injector

Cisco access points have a variety of power options such as AC adapters, power over Ethernet and power injectors. The placeMent of APs is such that in some situations an AC power outlet isn't available. Should your Ethernet switch not support power over Ethernet, an option such as power injectors extends the distance from an AC outlet. Distances of 1.24 miles are available with a fiber optic media converter.

Power over Ethernet

Cisco access points can be deployed with power over Ethernet (PoE) should the network switch modules support that feature. The distance of 300 feet is the same with Cisco prestandard and 802.3af. The Cisco prestandard use Cat 5 cabling pins 1, 2, 3, 6 for powering devices while 802.3af uses 1, 2, 3, 6 with 10/100/1000BaseT signaling and 4, 5, 7, 8 with 10/100BaseT. Select a network switch module with the power over Ethernet standard your AP has implemented and has a power watTAGe rating per port for your specific devices. The network switch power Supply should be upgraded to support additional power draw from multiple devices. Deploying power over Ethernet will decrease implementation costs with deployment of IPT, wireless and Gigabit. See network switch documents at Cisco web site for information on what network switching modules support PoE and watTAGe ratings. 802.3af defines powered device class 2 at 3.84W - 6.49W and class 3 at 6.49W - 12.95W.

Power Patch Panel

Cisco inline power patch panels can be deployed where Ethernet switches don't support power over Ethernet and power injectors aren't an option. The patch panel does no switching. It powers the devices through a Cat 5 cable that is a maximum 300 feet at a specific rated watTAGe per port. The patch panel connects the access point to the wired switch with a patch cable.

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Linksys Wireless Broadband Router - How to Protect Your Network

If you have purchased a Linksys wireless broadband router, that means that you have installed one of the most reliable and secure devices out there. Should you sit back and do nothing at this point? No, and in fact, if you do not take measures to protect your network, it could fall victim to those outside of it that would love to get in and have access to your personal information.

It is important to note that using a Linksys wireless router is not a problem, so long as you can ensure that the network has protection. The following tips will help you to protect your network from any form of invasion.

1. Be sure to change the Linksys admin password. This password is preset at the factory but that does not mean that it should stay that way. It takes a few minutes to change it in the administrator login.

2. Change the default SSID, or Service Set Identifier. This too is set by the factor. It is the name of your network. It can be up to 32 characters in length. If someone is trying to get into your network, and they know your SSID, they can get in. Be unique to ensure others will not know this information.

3. Encryption will also help you. Enable WPA encryption on your Linksys wireless broadband router. It will protect data transmitted over your network. Enable the highest level of encryption that is possible and supported by your network.

4. Get rid of the SSID broadcast. The next thing to do to protect your network is to disable the SSID broadcast that is the default setting for the system. Unless you want everyone to be able to use your connection, simply set this to be off.

5. Do enable MAC adDress Filtering on your router. Linksys allows you to do this. This process allows you to choose which of the Computers or devices will have access to your network.

Although there are numerous steps that you can take to protect each one of your Computers, when you link them together through a router, it is more important to focus on the enTire network rather than just one eleMent. Therefore, protect your Linksys wireless broadband router by setting up the previously Mentioned security features that can all be accessed through the administrator login. It is important to keep your system protected for the long term.

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Setting Up A Wireless Network With Windows Vista

I recently purchased a Sony Vaio with a wireless capabilities. When I went to setup a wireless network with my desktop to share files and Internet access I ran into a few problems. For any of you out there that are having trouble setting up your Windows Vista network, you need not to worry as I went through all of the frustration that is involved so that you don't have to. So for all of my trouble, here is a step by step guide for you to follow.

Step 1

First and foremost you need to make sure that your Computer or laptop has a wireless device either attached to it or installed internally. A lot of new Computers and laptops now come with these preinstalled. On my latop I have the wireless technology preinstalled, whereas my desktop computer hadn't, so I had to buy a wireless router to connect it to a wireless network. If you are connecting to a wireless network with your wireless router make sure that you install the drivers for the router first.

Step 2

Once you have the the router and drivers installed you need to configure you access point or router to the correct settings. To do this you should follow your manual as routers can sometimes vary. For most routers if you type 192.168.1.1 into your browser it will give the router setup page. You will be prompted for a username and password, these can be found with your manual. Once you have loaded the setup page you can click on the wireless tab and setup the networks SSID, which is the networks name i.e. Home Network, James Network, to make it easier from here on in we will use the name WLANHome. Then set the password. When you are selecting the security type there are 2 different types WEP and WPA. If you have the option, select WPA as it is a newer and more secure form of protecting for you wireless network. Click the wireless network icon in the notification area in the task bar. You will be presented by the connect to a network window. Select the WLANHome network and click on connect.

Step 3

If your are connecting to a network that is unsecured you will get a warning screen. If you are connecting to a public network, such as in a hotel or public area that offers free wireless Internet, you are connecting to the network at your own risk as this is considered unsafe. Most public networks are like this otherwise users would not be able to connect to it. If you are sure that you want to connect to the network click "Connect anyway".

Step 4

Once you access your network you will be asked for a security key or passphrase. Enter the security key that you entered on the router setup screen. Click save this network so that the next time you power up your PC or laptop in the area it will automatically connect you. The computer will then verify the passphrase and then it will ask you if you are connected to a public network or a home network or a work network, select the option which best suits your situation. If you are in a public place select the public option as this will prevent other users from see your files. Now you are connected to the network, Congratulations!!

Sometimes you might run into a few problems, just follow the on-screen instructions and vista will sort the problem out itself or will advise you on how to do so.

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Setting Up a Wireless Network With Satellite Internet

Many rural home dwellers find themselves cut off from the outside world. Not only are they geographically isolated, modern technology has yet to come to these disconnected hinterlands; that is until now.  With the advent of satellite engineering, many country home owners are setting their very own oases of connectivity. Satellite broadband has been proven to be the best option to use the net as it was designed; users can surf through web pages quickly and agilely, without having to suffer through downtime or lagging speeds that many dial-up users have to deal with.  Additionally, with a satellite internet connection, you aren't restricted to one cable connecting only one Computer.  You can actually set up your own wireless home network; it's incredibly simple to achieve and you'll be able to take full advanTAGe of your satellite service, having more than one Computer connected to the world wide web at the same time.

In order to go about setting up a wireless home network, you obviously need an internet service, before you start anything else.  Two-way satellite access is the most efficient and convenient service you can get.  One-way, is an option, but ultimately, it may prove too cumbersome as it ties up your phone line. 

Once you've a satellite broadband internet provider established, you will have to purchase the requisite equipMent to get your network going.  Some internet service providers will offer you a router as part of the set up package. Otherwise you can go to your local electronic store and purchase a wireless router; there are often sales to be had, or coupons to take advanTAGe of.  Stick to known brands like Linksys or Netgear.  If your Computer does not come equipped with an internal wireless networking card, you will need to buy a wireless adapter.

When using a wireless network adapter, simply Plug it into a USB port in your computer; if your computer has an in-built wireless card, it should automatically detect the connection. Read the instruction manual to set up your router-if you need help, there's usually a toll-free helpline you can call.  Many routers come with a one step setup CD, which will walk you through the enTire process. If the router came as part of your satellite internet package, the installer will probably be able to help you set up everything.

It's all pretty simple. Once you have your network up and running, your whole family can surf the net at the same time. Do remember that, with a wireless network you are sharing the connection speed. This means that you will be splitting the speed with whomever else is on the network. The split will barely be perceptible if you choose the right plan for your needs.  Today's satellite internet broadband providers offer a wide variety of packages and service plans to cater to everyone's needs. Don't hesitate to call today to find out more and have your home network set up in no time.

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Setting Up Your D-Link Wireless Network - Simple Steps to Follow

The Dlink wireless network setup is quite easy. All you need is a Dlink wireless router or a Wireless Access Point (WAP) and then you need the Dlink wireless adapter, one for each Computer, which will connect to the router or the WAP. There are many components to a wireless network and it may include a broadband internet connection through a cable modem or DSL, an internet security option, wireless printers and faxes, wireless music and video players, wireless game consoles and controllers, and so on.

Dlink wireless network setup is easiest when all components are from Dlink because it ensures maximum hardware compatibility. All Dlink products come with a quick installation manual that makes it a snap to follow step-by-step instructions to get the network ready to go. There are also detailed user manuals that cover all the technical aspects of the router and adapter.

Wireless networks are quite convenient and neat because there is no mess of power wires and connecting cables but there are some things you proceed with the Dlink wireless network setup.

First thing to keep in mind is that no outsiders are able to connect to your network because by default the Dlink wireless network setup is open to everyone. You must replace all the default passwords with those of your own choice because the factory defaults are known to hackers. Default settings include the access point and adapters and passwords. There are many similar Dlink networks in the world and it must be expected that there is a high probability of your network being close to some adapter that is not part of your network. Hackers are constantly on the prowl looking for networks running on default settings because they are so easy to crack. All you need to do is create a new password and you are several times safer. Hackers are a constant threat to wireless networks so you must change the password before you open your network to the world.

During the first run of the Dlink wireless network setup you will be assisted by setup wizards. When you are answering the questions that will help you to configure the network you must make sure you change all the default values to customized ones. Just make sure that you don't go overboard in choosing something so complicated that you yourself cannot remember it. As long as you go in for a reasonably complicated personalized setup you will be fine. Just do not choose common information like your family name, kids' names, date of birth and so on.

If you have more than one Computer you wish to include in your wireless network then make sure the WAP or router is located central to all Computers.

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Cisco Wireless Routers Enhance Network Productivity

The purpose of a network router is to transfer information between business systems. It also controls other forms of access such as the Internet. Businesses of all sizes utilize wireless routers to improve productivity through more flexibility functionality. These benefits are achievable while still maintaining a secure environMent. Many times wireless devices handle high speed connections better and provide more network capabilities. EquipMent created for wireless use, reduces cabling costs as well as expenses associated with unnecessary local equipMent. Less equipment eliminates the transmission steps needed to get data from its source to the desired location.

Many benefits are obtained through the use of components like Cisco wireless routers, including a more productive and reliable network. They can transfer visual, voice, and other data types easily. Security can be enforced without the need for multiple devices. Newer manufacturer models offer the capability of supporting complicated network applications. They make it possible for remote office connections with more centralized management.

Proper router placement can assist in managing, regulating, and controlling wireless controls throughout one or many locations. The Cisco brand itself is well known for reliability, long life, and great security. Devices protect pertinent data across various business systems. They Filter firewalls to prevent unauthorized user access as well as provide effective protection from viruses. Newer devices also identify intruders when an attack is occurring to better protect against them gaining access to the enTire network.

Cisco Routers: How Can They Improve System Operations?

Cisco routers have many productivity enhancement benefits. They have three very big qualities which set them apart from a few of their competitors. Devices are of high quality, are user-friendly, and more reliable. They provide consistent network functionality throughout system use. Of course, a business in need of a reliable system must rely on pertinent factors besides reputation. What are the most important considerations when selecting a routing component to implement? Affordability, expansion capabilities, reduced maintenance, and dependability are a good place to start. While cost is consistently a deciding factor, do not forget that the lowest priced component may not offer the same dependability or functionality as ones in a comparable price range. Components which allow for later expansion save money as technology needs evolve. Any component designed to incorporate easy upgrades, installs, and maintenance will entail less long term expenses.

Devices used on the network need to be compatible to reduce complications involving connections, access, set up, and functionality. Issues like these take up valuable company time and resources. High quality devices drastically reduce the chances of improper functionality, security breaches, and an inoperative network. Cisco routers incorporate these benefits. They can be a rewarding solution for many companies. Wireless options prove to be advanTAGeous to companies with multiple locations or buildings not designed to accommodate excessive amounts of wiring. Implementation of less wired components reduces the overall infrastructure of each office location. Opportunities for enhanced technology like virtualization or remote team collaboration are also present. The benefits of wireless devices constantly increase as improvements are made to these components. They can be a sufficient choice when changes are necessary for this important piece of business technology.

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The Dangers Of Leaving Your Wireless Network Unsecured

If you were to browse for wireless networks in a busy city you would be surprised at how many unsecured networks you will find, many people are oblivious to the dangers, however I would like to outline these.

By unsecure I am referring to a wireless network that is accessible without the need for a network key, although WEP is horribly insecure also I will not be covering its vulnerabilities in this article. Providing an attacker is in range he can connect to an unsecured wireless network and become a part of the local network. Ok so now what? The attack could then run an ip scan on the subnet to establish what is currently connected to the network. At this point the attacker could run various scans (port scans and so on) against the targets. It should be noted that this kind of scan would not be possible from outside of the network as usually a router acts as a firewall and only forwards on traffic to ports that have been assigned for forwarding.

With the above in mind you are at risk to certain exploits if an attacker becomes a part of your local area network, these however are dependent upon what services you are running and if you have any software firewall in place, however the following are more serious exploits that are the real dangers that will jeopardize your privacy and possible confidential details, and generally a software firewall will NOT protect you from these.

ARP poisoning - To put it simply this exploit enables an attacker to 'pose' as another Computer or device, usually your router! This can be done simply by sending a certain amount of arp replies to the victim saying that he has the MAC adDress of the router. The victim then updates its ARP table and sends all traffic destined for the router to the attackers MAC adDress. By doing this the attack can then monitor ALL traffic coming in and out of the victim. This needs very little explanation as to why it poses a risk. A lot of confidential details (usernames,passwords) are sent over the internet in plain text or with weak encryption, thus allowing the attacker to compromise your email accounts or other websites you use. There is also the problem of the attacker being able to view pretty much everything your doing online! including all your msn conversations etc.

DHCP spoofing - This exploit requires a little more patience on the attackers behalf however if executed it can be very bad news for the victim. The attacker creates a DHCP server on their system, when a new user comes online whose adapter is set to automatically assign an ip address; the attackers DHCP server attempts to offer a DHCP packet before the router does, if the victim acknowledges the request the attacker can include any details they want, usually their own IP address as the gateway and also DNS server(s) The problems of this are explained below.

DNS poisoning - This is the most serious type of exploit, the attacker can execute this in two ways. The first is explained above, the second is for the attacker to gain access to the router (most unsecured networks are left with default settings, this means the password for the router is usually default also and can easily be found online or guessed!) and then changing the DNS server that it uses to one of the attackers (this could be a local one on the attackers machine, or a rogue one hosted elsewhere) All the attacker needs to do now is create some rogue DNS records that redirect the victim to imitations of websites, usually these look identical however once the username and password are entered and submitted, they get sent to the attacker instead of where they should be sent! The attacker can even get the page to forward the details onto the correct site aftewards, therefore the attack going completely unnoticed. Obviously this is a very big problem especially for sites such as ebay, paypal, and especially online banking.

These exploits above are the most common for an attacker to use to gain confidential information, there are many more and a lot are dependent upon the setup of the network and victims machine.

In summary, it is clear to see that leaving a wireless network unsecure can have serious implications, and gives attackers an open door for them to gain access to all kinds of confidential information. The following security precautions are advised to give optimal security for home users:

-Always secure your network with a WPA or WPA2 key, make sure that the key is long in length and also complex. Avoid WEP at all costs, it is redundant and can be broken in minutes providing an attacker has a good signal.

-ImpleMent MAC address Filtering, this only allows traffic from registered MAC addresses. While MAC addresses can be spoofed, it can be a hard process as an attacker has to sniff traffic and anaylse frame headers to see source/target MAC addresses of an authenticated client, this can be very difficult for an unassociated client.

-Don't broadcast your SSID, while this on its own will not stop an attacker, it is an extra layer of security.

-Use a software firewall, I recomMend Agnitum Outpost.

While no system in the world will ever be 100% secure, it is important to impleMent as many security precautions as possible to prevent attackers from exploiting. With the above points in place an attacker would have an extremely hard time ever gaining access to your network.

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A Wireless Network Router Shopping Guide

Should you be searching for a modem router, the very first reaction of all people would be to head to a nearby personal Computer shop and simply just grab the lowest priced wireless network router that the specific personal Computer shop offers, without understanding the advanTAGes and disadvanTAGes of that particular wireless network router. If you really want to know the key eleMents that you should bear in mind when ever planning to get a wireless-type network router, then go through the next paragraphs.

The first thing you have to do is in fact to see a lot of testimonials; it doesn't matter if it's actually through magazines, newspapers or even on the internet discussion boards. It is possible to easily find a lot of excellent, useful, worthless and expensive or even inexpensive wireless modem routers in the market these days. Selecting the cheapest wireless router that a certain computer shop presents is really not recomMended at all, simply because undoubtedly, it will not be well worth the money you've spent. So it is truly recomMended that you go through a lot of forums and other message boards regarding wireless network modem routers for you to be able to see which wireless network modem router has the highest rankings and the best overall performance based on the forums as well as reviews, so chances are you'll as well opt for that specific wireless modem router.

Next thing you need to do is actually to shop inexpensive. Whenever I state Shop cheap, this implies that you no longer need to buy your favorite brand of wireless network modem router, for example in the event that a different brand is on 50% deal, then go and grab the one that is actually on sale! Basically due to the fact, it's not actually about the brand names, a fantastic router will always be a fantastic router no matter what the actual brand name is. Therefore the very best advice I could actually give you is for you to write down a summary of the brand of wireless Internet router that you want and then compare their costs and then remember to go for the least expensive one. But at all times make sure that the router you are about to purchase is actually a great router!

One more advice that I can give you is actually to consider old models of wireless router, well basically not that old. Just because a router which is launched a year ago might still become an excellent router these days and you can get it only for fifty percent the price of a new wireless network router model. Therefore you just need to stick to these simple recomMendations, without a doubt you will be able to get the best wireless modem router for your needs.

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Wireless Network Routers Enhance Productivity

Networking hardware or equipMent refer to the tools used for making networks work such as routers, cables, hubs, switches, access points, data cards, bridges, ISDN adapters and firewalls.

A network router is typically a networking device that can deliver voice, information, data, internet and wireless access. A router can definitely enhance the productivity of any organization be it big or small. Integrated routing services are gaining increasing demand nowadays by corporate and business enterprises owing to their state-of-the-art flexibility, compatibility, and security. In fact, network routers are used nowadays by individuals in homes owing to their imMense capabilities to handle high bandwidth Internet allocations. People generally install a wireless router in their homes to take advanTAGe of the Wi-Fi facility which gives them flexibility to use the internet from any corner of their homes.

A wireless router is ideally a small box that controls your network with indicator lights to ensure that it is working satisfactorily. Typically, one needs to just Plug-in their broadband Internet connection into the router and experience the Wi-Fi connectivity up to about 200 to 300 Meters depending on the model of equipMent that you purchased. Wireless routers with stronger signals enjoy greater speed and flexibility over a larger distance coverage compared to those with weaker signals. Some of the best routers available in the market today are LinksysWRT610N, HP Media Smart Server LX195, Seagate Black Armor NAS 440(4TB), and of course, Cisco products which are known for their speed and performance.

When you install a network router in your home, ensure that it is placed in a central location away from walls or any metallic objects to have a good, strong signal. There are also numerous network routers that support hybrid networks which consist of a blend of Ethernet and Wi-Fi clients. With a wide range of routers that are available today, you have to review the models to pick your choice discretely. The D-Link network router is a small model featuring 128bit WEP and is ideal for small places. Cisco, Linksys, SeaGate and Netgear wireless network routers are doing exceptionally well in the arena of network manageMent.

Going wireless is in vogue recently; many people and businesses prefer using network routers from the enTire range of network equipment that is available today. The main benefits of using a network router are:

A network router is multifunctional facilitating many audio visual, voice, and wireless security systems through a single device which would prove to be extremely beneficial for any organization. Routers support sophisticated networking applications in one go. An integrated wireless router will gives network access to residences and commercial offices situated even in remote places. Routers facilitate centralized management. A router located in a central location can effectively manage, regulate and control wireless controls in various locations. They are extremely secure and reliable. Many multinational corporations install network routers to protect valuable corporate data while being transmitted with encryption. Network routers facilitate firewall Filtering, thereby inhibiting unauthorized access. Highly Effective antivirus protection is provided. These routers also identify and detect and intruders that try to break into the network and prevent them for barging in.

You have to choose your network router based on your requirements, whether for commercial or domestic purpose. Utilizing a router is indeed extremely beneficial to independent users at home as well as big corporate environments owing to its cost effectiveness, simplicity of installation and reduced operating expenses.

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Selecting the Most Efficient Wireless Network Routers

There was a time when Computers were introduced and there after came the concept of networking to get the most of the amazing functionality that the machine has. In no time the World Wide Web grew connecting people irrespective of the physical boundaries. Since the time internet technology has emerged the way it has, there are several devices that have been seen in the market that are assisting the use of the internet in various ways. Wireless Network Routers top the list. As the name suggests it is a devise that is used to connect Computers without the use of wires.

Initially we had wired network connectivity only, it still persists but people have stopped preferring it over wireless network connectivity. The reason is simple; the latter is a better means of connecting Computers, laptops and other console devices together. For wired connectivity there are so many things that you need to set up a successful network over and above the expertise that you need for the technical aspects of a wireless network. You need endless wires, hubs, Plugs etc to bring a network to existence. Then there would be the "ip adDresses" that would need configuration and so on and so forth. Considering all that hassle Wireless Network Routers help you with a hassle free network set up and are more efficient any day of the week. The connectivity is better, the speed is amazing and you don't have wires to limit your mobility.

Wireless Network Routers are very easy to fix. Depending upon the kind of need that you have you could chose accordingly from the market for the best and efficient results. No one router could be labeled as the best as there are so many brands out there in the market, all of which are top notch. You have to look at your wireless network needs to make sure that you get a router that will give you the desired results. Like for example, you know that there are people around that are threats to the security of your wireless network. In that case you should be going for a wireless router that has rich security features to keep these people from breaking into your network.

The other thing that would play a contributing role in selecting the proper wireless router and making it efficient is the number of computers that you would be connecting to the router. Depending upon the number of computers you wish to put on the network you need to careful in selecting a router. If you are not thinking of expansion and have 4 computers on a router which could support 12, then this is not using your wireless router efficiently. Consider your present and realistic future needs while selecting a router.

You could make your Wireless Network Routers even more efficient by considering the speed requireMents that you have. In case you are using the internet because you are an avid online gamer, needless to say that the speed would be a concern. However, if you are content with the average speed that it comes with, you really don't have to buy a very expensive router just because it offers better speeds.

Clearly, it's about matching your particular needs to that of the features of the router that you are selecting. This is a winning combination and would give you the most efficient wireless router.

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Wireless Network Planning - Distance, Speed and Adapters

So you want a Wireless N network Installed. My next question is what type of network do you need? When we install a wireless network in Highland Park IL or the North Shore of Chicago we ask the customer many questions about exactly what the home owner needs. This article will describe what you need to consider when contracting or installing a wireless network.

1. What will you be doing on your wireless network? - Bandwidth requireMents are very import when considering a wireless N network installation. If you are down loading large files, streaming video, or music or Watch online movies they you are going to need what we call a wireless multimedia network. Multimedia networks need guaranteed bandwidth.

2. How large is the area that you need covered? - Probably a better question is how large and where and what you will be doing. Most people will purchase a Linksys Wireless N router and get the speeds they want in the same room of the router and then find that 15 ft away their wireless speed will drop to half or worse.

3. What type of wireless adapters do you already have? .If all of your Computers have 802.11g wireless adapters and you purchase a wireless N router you not see the advertised speeds on the box. So you could save money buy purchasing an 802.11g MIMO enabled router or if you want wireless N speeds you will have to purchase wireless n adapters for you Computers.

4. What is the construction material for you home - Highland Park Illinois homes have many older brick homes, which are not friendly to Linksys or Dlink wireless routers. These types of homes require more powerful wireless networking equipMent to blast through walls and plumbing pipe.

5. Do you want outdoor wireless access? Most people don't think about it but it is great to sit outside and do work by your pool or on your deck rather than being stuck inside next to your wireless router.

Get everything you expect and more when installing your wireless network. Your wireless networks performance has many factors, distance, construction materials, RF interference, power of the wireless router, applications, and antenna types. Don't believe the hype on the Wireless N box. Know what speeds you will have in each room before you buy.

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