LEARN WIRELESS COMPUTER NETWORKING BASICS

Wireless Computer Networking

Wireless computer networking means that the communication between computers without the clustered wires. It is ideal for the situations where the cabling is not possible. There are different types of wireless network such as WLAN (which is based on the IEEE 802.11b standard), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, GSM, Bluetooth and Infrared etc. The signals are usually transmitted through radio and electromagnetic waves. The hardware devices that are used in a wireless network are routers, switches, access point, wireless LAN cards, adapters, antennas, bridges, PCMCIA cards, WLAN access, station adapters and wireless modems.
Wireless network offers the flexibility, mobility, scalability to work everywhere within the range of your network. WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of specific applications.

How to Setup

You can setup a wireless network connection between two or more computers by following the below steps.

Requirements:

Wireless LAN card, wireless router, access point, antennas, cable or DSL modem (if you wish you connect your network to the internet), Ethernet cable (for connecting DSL model with the wireless router). Make sure that your devices should follow these technologies 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The 802.11g is recommended because it is compatible with all everything.

Connect your wireless router with your DSL modem with the Ethernet cable.
Configure your wireless router. Open internet explorer and type the IP address of your router in the address bar. Different vendors have different specifications and different login/passwords details. After providing the login/password details, you will be provided with a router configuration page. Most of the settings are okay and you need to set up the following things.
Wireless network name (SSID)
Wireless encryption such as WEP or WPA
Administrative password.

Install wireless LAN card on each computer in your network. You can find the installation instructions in the manual, which is provided by the manufacture. Insert network adapter in the empty PCI slot. Windows XP automatically detects the card and will prompt you to insert the installation CD. Follow the on screen instructions and install the LAN card. After the installation is successful, Windows XP should show an icon at the status bar. Also a notification message appears that says it has found a wireless network.

Right click the wireless icon and click “View available wireless networks”.

In the Wireless network connection window, you will find your network with the same name as you chose before while setting up the wireless router.
If you don’t see your network then click the “Refresh network list” in the upper left corner.
After you find your network, click it and press “connect” in the lower right corner.
Next, you will be prompted to enter the encryption key. Type your encryption key in the network key and confirm key boxes. Make sure that you have to enter the exact encryption key.
Windows XP will show you the progress as you are connected with your network.

Benefits of Wireless Network

The major benefits of the wireless networking include mobility, scalability, flexibility of work, improved efficiency and the security features. The installation is very easy and we have covered it in the above steps.

Wi-Fi and Wi-MAX provides the flexible solutions to businesses around the world with easier access, roaming and mobility.

World’s renowned wireless product’s manufactures are
Cisco, 3COM, D-Link, Intel, AT & T, Net Gear, View Sonic, Fujitsu, Linksys and HP.