By: Stephen Drommonsy
Submitted: 2010-06-28 04:06:43 | Word Count: 942
A network makes it possible for everyone to share peripheral devices such as a printer, a router for access to the internet and access files on different computers or an external storage device. A wireless network allows you to do it without being linked to something physically, such as an Ethernet cable.
That means that as long as you are in range of the router (highly probable in the average house in London) - you can connect to any of these devices from anywhere in the house.
For example, you can print documents from the printer in the bedroom, while viewing television and surfing the internet in the living room.
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You may want to take the song files that you have downloaded from the internet whilst sitting on the toilet in the bathroom and upload them to your external hard drive which is sat in the living room.
Maybe you want to hook up your iphone to the home network and surf the web from your bedroom.
If you have an internet ready TV, you can even stream a film or home movie from your laptop straight to it. The point about a wireless network is that it gives you flexibility.
So how do I set-up a wireless network?
OK. Things you will need -
An internet connection (obviously)
a wireless router that connects to the internet service
a wireless adaptor for each PC you want to connect (this is already built into most laptops)
Now, if you own a desktop PC, you will need to turn off the computer, open the case and introduce the adaptor into a free PCI slot on the motherboard. Now restart your computer. Windows will detect the new adapter and ask you to install the driver on the CD-ROM that arrived with it. For an easy life and unless you are an expert, follow the information. They are mostly idiot proof and it will most probably install quickly and simply. If you have several Desktop PCs at home, repeat this procedure on each.
Now, undo your new wireless router. Follow the information and put in the CD ROM into your PC. Most wireless routers contain videos explaining what connections you need to build to get it functioning. Carry out the information for that easy life you are looking for.
Generally speaking, the router connects to the internet. And everything else connects to the router. The router is the core of the network. It is centre or heart if you like. Every device connects to it either by fixed wire or wirelessly.
If you’ve followed the information correctly, you’ll be asked to create a name for your network. Call it something that will permit you to identify it without difficulty. In London and other heavily populated cities, you will find hundreds of wireless networks. So make yours easy to find - - if your name is Janet, call it ‘Janet’s awesome secret network’. If your name isn’t Janet call it something else obviously.
Keep following the set-up process and make certain that you install the encryption software and a password for your network. Or else anyone will be able to connect to it and use your resources. This will mean your connection will slow down. And you do not necessarily want to be connected with what your neighbour is downloading to his computer.
So the network is developed. Your router is broadcasting its wireless signal. What now?
Well, if you have a printer, most likely it will not have a wireless adaptor. So you’re going to need to get either an Ethernet cable or a USB cable and link that to your router to make it available to the other devices.
Bear in mind, when buying peripheral devices that you require to network wirelessly, that your average wireless router will probably only have 1 USB socket. However, it will most likely have 4 or more Ethernet sockets. So, buy devices with Ethernet connections as well as USB connections. This is predominantly important for external hard drives. It’s doubtful that you will be able to network it if you only have a USB connection on it.
As soon as you have connected your device to the network, you will need to go back to your PC and check that it has been acknowledged by Windows and that you can access it. Usually this will be automatic. If not, then you will need to go into My computer - Hardware and Sound - Add New Device. And add the device by hand.
Generally the later the operating system i.e. Windows 7, the simpler it will be to set up a home wireless network.
And that’s pretty much it. A wireless network is easy to set up and infinitely worthwhile. And now that you’re all connected, pick up your laptop and catch up with your associates on facebook with a beer on the balcony.
Author Resource:-
Networking is getting a lot easier to set up these days especially if you are running Windows 7. I have written a quick guide on how I got my network up and running. Generally speaking, the router connects to the internet. And everything else connects to the router. The router is the hub of the network. It’s centre or heart if you like. Every device connects to it either by fixed wire or wirelessly. If you follow these instructions correctly, you’ll be asked to create a name for your
