If you're reading this article, then you probably just got a new laptop with wireless capabilities. Or maybe you just set up a wireless network in your home or office and want to know how your laptop can connect to it easily.
Here's what you need to know:
For the purposes of this article, I'm going to assume some basic things about your tool and layout. If your home network looks a bit different, you'll still be able to make things work, but it may not be quite as straightforward and straightforward.
Hardware
Most home and small office systems will have a cable/Dsl modem. Plugged into that will be your wireless way point or router. Your model may have a few wired network ports as well as the wireless antenna. In increasing all this, you have all your computers -- some of which may be associated by wires and some of which are wireless.
Network Security
One of the first things you'll want to do is increase the security of your network. There are a estimate of things you can, and should, do to achieve this goal.
- Make Your Wireless Network "Invisible" As a convenience, wireless way points "announce" their proximity to nearby wireless-enabled computers. This is called "identifier broadcasting." It is turned on by default, purely as a convenience. For example, it is nice if you are in a hotel or coffee shop -- it makes it easy for your laptop to find their network and use it quickly. However, when the network is in your home or office, you don't want every person nearby (e.g., outside or next door) to know you're there. So consult your way point's user hand-operated for instructions on how to disable identifier broadcasting.
- Rename Your Wireless Network. The wireless network way point/router will be configured with a name, or "service set identifier" (Ssid). The wireless constructor sets this up at the factory; it is a case-sensitive name that uniquely identifies the network. You'll want to turn that name because intruders can scan a neighborhood using the default name to find your network. In other words, until you turn your Ssid, you might be giving an intruder a head-start on hacking into your network from out on the road somewhere. Consult your hand-operated and turn that name. Choose a name that won't be actually guessed by others.
- Encrypt Your Network Traffic. Your wireless way point/router should allow you to scramble, or encrypt, data captivating in the middle of the gadget and your computers. By encrypting your wireless traffic, you are changing it to a format that can only be read by computers with the strict conversion-key for that format.
- Change Your Administrator Password. In order to do the things I mentioned above, you need to log on to your wireless way point/router. At the factory, it was given a default password. These passwords are widely known and can be used to gain unauthorized way to your network. Be sure to turn your administrator password.
- Use File Sharing with Caution. Sometimes all you want to do with your wireless network is share an internet relationship with others. If that is the case, you may not have file sharing turned on. But if your network is set up to help you way files and folders on other computers, you'll need to have "file sharing" turned on. The downside to this is that it makes it easier for outsiders to steal facts from you. To stop them, you may want to reconsider creating a dedicated directory for file sharing, and move or copy files to that directory for sharing. Then you should password-protect that directory and the files in it. Note: Never open an entire hard drive for file sharing!
- Keep Your way Point Software Up to Date. From time to time, the constructor of your wireless way point/router will issue updates to the software (or patches to repair bugs). Be sure to check the manufacturer's web site normally for any updates or patches for your device's software.
Convenience
Once you've taken care of the security issues, the rest is relatively easy.
After you set the Ssid on your way point/router, you may want to add it (and any other wireless networks you use) to your adored network list if Windows Xp Wireless Auto Configuration is enabled. Result these steps:
- In operate Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
- Right-click the Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
- On the Wireless Networks tab, click Add.
- In the Wireless network properties dialog box, enter the Ssid you configured for your wireless way point/router.
- Fill in the rest of the fields, together with the requisite authentication and encryption facts based on the configuration of your wireless way point/router.
- Click Ok and your home network will be added to the list of adored networks.
Now, your laptop should automatically see the desired wireless network and connect to it.
Enjoy!
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