Question:
how do I set up a wireless network and what do I need to set it up?
krassaris
2006-02-15 10:30:20 UTC
I have two laptops that I want to connect to each other to form a network. I think they support wireless connection (1394).
Five answers:
Amrith
2006-02-15 11:19:38 UTC
You need a Router , the best is Linksys WRT54G

wireless adapters , the best is wpc54g they are pcmcia cards

(note 1394 is not a wireless its a firewire port called IEEE 1394)



Then follow the instructions here to connect your internet and computers together

STEP 1: Before You Begin

In order to set up your Linksys Router, be sure to first have the following:



A Linksys Router.

A DSL modem.

A working computer that can be wired in directly to the router for initial configuration and testing.

Two (2) standard Ethernet network cables. Linksys Routers come with one (1) standard network cable that you can use.

The PPPoE DSL username and password assigned by your Internet Service Provider. Depending on the provider, your username format might be similar to username, vzn123456, or an e-mail address (username@isp.net). If you are not sure what your username and password are, contact your Internet Service Provider for more information.







STEP 2: Check Your Internet Connection

Before installing your Linksys Router, it is important to first verify that you can successfully access the Internet by connecting directly to your modem (without your Linksys Router installed).



If you are connecting for the first time, follow the instructions provided by your provider to set up your modem and computer for online access.

Verify that you are able to access the Internet without any problems. If you are not able to get a connection, contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance.

When you are able to access the Internet using your modem, continue to Step 3 and proceed with the installation of your Linksys Router.









STEP 3: Connect the Hardware

Follow these steps to connect your Linksys Router to your modem and computer.



Shut down your computer and unplug the power cords connected to your modem and Linksys Router if they are currently powered on.

Disconnect the network cable that connects to the back of your computer.

Connect the network cable that you just removed to the Internet port (or WAN port) located on the back of your Linksys Router. Your modem should now be connected to your Linksys Router.

Connect a second network cable back into your computer (into the same port that was disconnected in #2).

Connect the other end of the second network cable to one of the numbered ports located on the back of your Linksys Router (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Your computer should now be connected to your Linksys Router.

The following diagram shows how your network should be connected. Verify that your connections are correct, and continue to the next step.







Plug the included power adapter into the router’s Power port. Then, plug the other end of the power adapter into a nearby electrical outlet to supply power to your router.

Turn on your computer.

Do not turn on your modem at this time. Only your router and computer should be turned on for Step 4.





STEP 4: Configure the Router

Follow these steps to configure your Linksys Router.



On the computer that is connected to the Linksys Router, open a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.

Type http://192.168.1.1 into your browser’s Address or Location bar and click Go or press the [Enter] key on your keyboard. The IP address 192.168.1.1 is the default IP address of Linksys Routers.





A user name and password prompt will appear. Leave the user name field blank (empty), and type in admin (lowercase) for the password. The password admin is the default password of Linksys Routers.

NOTE: The following username/password prompt screen will vary by operating system.







Once logged in, the router’s web-based Setup utility should load. In the section labeled Internet Connection Type, or WAN Connection Type depending on router model and firmware version, select the PPPoE option on the drop down list.





Click here to view what an older Linksys router interface looks like.



Once PPPoE is selected, enter your PPPoE DSL username and password provided by your Internet Service Provider into the router’s User Name and Password fields. Depending on the provider, your username format might be similar to username, vzn123456, or an e-mail address (username@isp.net). If you are not sure what your username and password are, contact your Internet Service Provider for more information.

NOTE: Be sure to clear the ‘Password’ field before entering your account password.



AOL USERS: Enter in your PPPoE username as screenname@aol.com.









If the Keep Alive option is not selected, be sure to select it instead of the ‘Connect on Demand’ option. The ‘Keep Alive’ option will ensure that your connection stays connected even when it is not in use.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Save Settings, or Apply button depending on router model, to save your changes.



Once your changes are saved, you will be presented with a button to return or you will be returned to the previous page automatically. If prompted, press Continue to return to the router’s Setup page.Close and exit the web browser.



STEP 5: Power Cycle

Follow these steps to power on and off your devices in the correct order.



Shut down your computer.

Verify that your modem is turned off (either by unplugging the power cord or by using a power switch on the modem).

Unplug the power cord from the back of your router and confirm that the front panel lights turn off.

At this stage, all devices (your modem, router, and computer) should be powered off.



Wait for about 30 seconds.

Plug in the modem’s power cord. If there is an additional power switch required to power on your modem, be sure to use it to apply power and turn on the modem.

Observe the indicator lights located on the modem and wait for the lights to stop blinking. A light indicating Power as well as DSL (or Internet, Online, Ready, etc.) should become solid to indicate a connection to your Internet Service Provider. The names of modem lights will vary depending on modem brand and model.

Next, plug in the router’s power cord. After a few seconds, the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the front of the router as well as additional lights on your modem should turn on to indicate a connection.

Turn on your computer.







STEP 6: Check the Connection

Follow these steps to check your connection to your Internet Service Provider.



On the computer that is connected to the Linksys Router, open a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.

Type http://192.168.1.1 into your browser’s Address or Location bar and click Go or press the [Enter] key on your keyboard. The IP address 192.168.1.1 is the default IP address of Linksys Routers.





A user name and password prompt will appear. Leave the user name field blank (empty), and type in admin (lowercase) for the password. The password admin is the default password of Linksys Routers.

Once logged in, the router’s web-based Setup utility should load. Click on the Status tab to load the router’s Status page.

NOTE: The location of the Status tab will vary depending on router model and firmware version:



In the Status page, look for a section labeled Login Status (or PPPoE Status depending on router model and firmware version). This will indicate the status of the connection.

One of the following statuses may appear:



Connecting

If the status repeats with Connecting, your Linksys Router is having problems connecting to your Internet Service provider. Repeat the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the router. If these lights do not turn on or show any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices as described in Step 5, and try again.



Disconnected

If the status shows Disconnected, your Linksys Router was not able to establish a connection to your Internet Service provider. Repeat the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the router. If these lights do not turn on or show any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices as described in Step 5, and try again.

Connected

If the status is Connected, your Linksys Router successfully established a connection to your Internet Service provider and you should be able to access the Internet !

NOTE: If you are not able to access the Internet even with a Connected status, restart your computer and try to access the Internet again.



Troubleshooting

In the router’s Status page, you may be prompted with one of the following error messages:





PPPoE Authentication Failed

The PPPoE user name and password you used is incorrect. Repeat the router configuration steps found in Step 4 and verify the spelling and/or format of your login or use another user name and password. Then, perform the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again.





Cannot Connect to PPPoE Server

The router was unable to connect to your Internet Service Provider. Repeat the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet (or WAN) lights on the router. If these lights do not turn on or show any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices as described in Step 5, and try again.





PPPoE LCP Negotiation Failed

The router was unable to make a connection to your Internet Service Provider. Repeat the router configuration steps found in Step 4 and verify the spelling and/or format of your login or use another user name and password. Then, perform the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again.



if you need any help please post your email id



Regards,

Amrith

Former Senior Escalation Engineer

(Linksys , Microsoft)
GaDawg
2006-02-15 10:38:36 UTC
You need a wireless router. The wireless router will come with instruction on how to set it up. It's very easy and most of the instructions have picture that are easy to follow. Below is a link to NewEgg.com to check out wireless networking products.
?
2016-11-11 14:13:18 UTC
maximum routers incorporate very sturdy setup classes. i will propose Linksys for this. a million) Plug your internet connection into your prompt router. 2) Configure your router (setup instruction manual) 3) deploy prompt adapter on your pc. 4) Configure your pc.
kevzname
2006-02-15 10:57:14 UTC
There are good resources such as the one at www.cnet.com that give detailed instructions. Some of there information even shows video instruction.
The Chancellor™
2006-02-15 10:53:01 UTC
It is very easy. My answer is very long so you will may need to print it out and gollow the directions while setting it up. It depends on the kind of iinternet connection you have. I will advise you to use a high-speed internet connection. Here are the directions:



The centerpiece or "core" of a wireless home network is either a wireless router or wireless access point:



Wireless routers allow the flexibility to move computers within the home without having to re-cable them. Wireless routers also supply good performance on shared Internet connections. Wireless routers tend to cost more than wired routers, but when cost is not a big issue, the mobility of wireless home networks can't be beat.



Wireless access points allow wireless computers to network with each other and also connect to an existing wired network. Access points are sometimes cheaper than routers and make the most sense when adding wireless computers to an existing wired network that already has a broadband router.



Finding a Wireless Router or Access Point

Wireless routers are the typical centerpiece of a wireless home network. I would suggest a Linksys router. a linksys router is very good and dependable. Go to the following website to get a Linksys router: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5250774&type=product&id=1051384663529



Choosing wireless gear

The building blocks of a wireless LAN are network adapters, access points, wireless routers, add-on wireless antennas and signal boosters. Of these, only network adapters are truly required to build a wireless home network. However, many wireless LANs also utilize some of the other equipment, as explained below.



Wireless Network Adapters

Each computer you wish to connect to a WLAN must possess a wireless network adapter. Wireless adapters are sometimes also called NICs, short for Network Interface Cards. Wireless adapters for desktop computers are often small PCI cards or sometimes card-like USB adapters. Wireless adapters for notebook computers resemble a thick credit card. Nowadays, though, an increasing number of wireless adapters are not cards but rather small chips embedded inside notebook or handheld computers.



Wireless network adapters contain a radio transmitter and receiver (transceiver). Wireless transceivers send and receive messages, translating, formatting, and generally organizing the flow of information between the computer and the network. Determining how many wireless network adapters you need to buy is the first critical step in building your home network. Check the technical specifications of your computers if you're unsure whether they contain built-in wireless adapter chips.



Wireless Access Points

A wireless access point serves as the central WLAN communication station. In fact, they are sometimes called "base stations." Access points are thin, lightweight boxes with a series of LED lights on the face (see Page 1 sidebar for illustration).

Access points join a wireless LAN to a pre-existing wired Ethernet network. Home networkers typically install an access point when they already own a broadband router and want to add wireless computers to their current setup. You must use either an access point or a wireless router (described below) to implement "hybrid" wired/wireless home networking. Otherwise, you probably don't need an access point.



Wireless Routers

A wireless router is a wireless access point with several other useful functions added. Like wired broadband routers, wireless routers also support Internet connection sharing and include firewall technology for improved network security. Wireless routers closely resemble access points (see Page 1 sidebar for illustration).

A key benefit of both wireless routers and access points is scalability. Their strong built-in transceivers are designed to spread a wireless signal throughout the home. A home WLAN with a router or access point can better reach corner rooms and backyards, for example, than one without. Likewise, home wireless networks with a router or access point support many more computers than those without one. As we'll explain in more detail later, if your wireless LAN design includes a router or access point, you must run all network adapters in so-called infrastructure mode; otherwise they must run in ad-hoc mode.



Wireless routers are a good choice for those building their first home network. See the following article for good examples of wireless router products for home networks:



Wireless Antennas

Wireless network adapters, access points, and routers all utilize an antenna to assist in receiving signals on the WLAN. Some wireless antennas, like those on adapters, are internal to the unit. Other antennas, like those on many access points, are externally visible. The normal antennas shipped with wireless products provide sufficient reception in most cases, but you can also usually install an optional, add-on antenna to improve reception. You generally won't know whether you'll need this piece of equipment until after you finish your basic network setup.

Wireless Signal Boosters

Some manufacturers of wireless access points and routers also sell a small piece of equipment called a signal booster. Installed together with a wireless access point or router, a signal booster serves to increase the strength of the base station transmitter. It's possible to use signal boosters and add-on antennas together, to improve both wireless network transmission and reception simultaneously.

Both antennas and signal boosters can be a useful addition to some home networks after the basics are in place. They can bring out-of-range computers back into range of the WLAN, and they can also improve network performance in some cases.



Next - WLAN Configurations

Now that you have a good understanding of the pieces of a wireless LAN, we're ready to set them up according to your needs. Don't worry if you haven't settled on a configuration yet; I will cover all of them.



Installing and Configuring your WLAN

To maximize benefit from the directions below, have your answers ready for the following questions:

do you want to extend your wired home network with a WLAN, or are you building a completely new network?

how many wireless computers do you plan to network, and where in the home will be they be located?

what operating systems do/will you run on your networked computers?

do you need to share your Internet connection among the wireless computers? how else will you use this WLAN? file sharing? network gaming?

Installing a Wireless Router

One wireless router supports one WLAN. Use a wireless router on your network if:

you are building your first home network, or

you want to re-build your home network to be all-wireless, or

you want to keep your WLAN installation as simple as possible



Try to install your wireless router in a central location within the home. The way Wi-Fi networking works, computers closer to the router (generally in the same room or in "line of sight") realize better network speed than computers further away. Connect the wireless router to a power outlet and optionally to a source of Internet connectivity. All wireless routers support broadband modems, and some support phone line connections to dial-up Internet service. If you need dial-up support, be sure to purchase a router having an RS-232 serial port. Finally, because wireless routers contain a built-in access point, you're also free to connect a wired router, switch, or hub.



Next, choose your network name. In Wi-Fi networking, the network name is often called the SSID. Your router and all computers on the WLAN must share the same SSID. Although your router shipped with a default name set by the manufacturer, it's best to change it for security reasons. Consult product documentation to find the network name for your particular wireless router, and follow this general advice for setting your SSID.



Last, follow the router documentation to enable WEP security, turn on firewall features, and set any other recommended parameters.



Installing a Wireless Access Point

One wireless access point supports one WLAN. Use a wireless access point on your home network if:

you don't need the extra features a wireless router provides AND

you are extending an existing wired Ethernet home network, or

you have (or plan to have) four or more wireless computers scattered throughout the home

Install your access point in a central location, if possible. Connect power and a dial-up Internet connection, if desired. Also cable the access point to your LAN router, switch or hub. See the diagram in the Page 3 sidebar for details.

You won't have a firewall to configure, of course, but you still must set a network name and enable WEP on your access point at this stage.



Configuring the Wireless Adapters

Configure your adapters after setting up the wireless router or access point (if you have one). Insert the adapters into your computers as explained in your product documentation. Wi-Fi adapters require TCP/IP be installed on the host computer.

Manufacturers each provide configuration utilities for their adapters. On the Windows operating system, for example, adapters generally have their own graphic user interface (GUI) accessible from the Start Menu or taskbar after the hardware is installed. Here's where you set the network name (SSID) and turn on WEP. You can also set a few other parameters as described in the next section. Remember, all of your wireless adapters must use the same parameter settings for your WLAN to function properly.



Configuring an Ad-Hoc Home WLAN

Every Wi-Fi adapter requires you to choose between infrastructure mode (called "access point" mode in some configuration tools) and ad-hoc ("peer to peer") mode. When using a wireless access point or router, set every wireless adapter for infrastructure mode. In this mode, wireless adapters automatically detect and set their WLAN channel number to match the access point (router).

Alternatively, set all wireless adapters to use ad hoc mode. When you enable this mode, you'll see a separate setting for channel number. All adapters on your ad hoc wireless LAN need matching channel numbers.



Ad-hoc home WLAN configurations work fine in homes with only a few computers situated fairly close to each other. You can also use this configuration as a fallback option if your access point or router breaks.





You can share an Internet connection across an ad hoc wireless network. To do this, designate one of your computers as the host (effectively a substitute for a router). That computer will keep the modem connection and must obviously be powered on whenever the network is in use. Microsoft Windows offers a feature called Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) that works with ad hoc WLANs.



Troubleshooting, Tips and Tweaks

Now let's cover some of the finer points you need to know about home wireless LANs.

Wireless Routers / Access Point Interference within the Home

When installing an 802.11b or 802.11g access point or router, beware of signal interference from other home appliances. In particular, do not install the unit within 3-10 feet (about 1-3 m) from a microwave oven. Other common sources of wireless interference are 2.4 GHz cordless phones, baby monitors, garage door openers, and some home automation devices.

If you live in a home with brick or plaster walls, or one with metal framing, you're may encounter difficulty maintaining a strong WLAN signal. Wi-Fi is designed to support signal range up to 300 feet (about 100 m), but barriers reduce this range substantially. All 802.11 communications (802.11a most of all) are affected by obstructions; keep this in mind when installing your access point.



Wireless Routers / Access Point Interference from Outside

In densely populated areas, it's not uncommon for wireless signals from one person's home network to penetrate a neighboring home and interfere with their WLAN.



This happens when both households set conflicting communication channels. Fortunately, when configuring an 802.11b or 802.11g access point or router, you can (except in a few locales) change the channel number employed.

In the United States, for example, you may choose any WLAN channel number between 1 and 11. If you encounter interference from neighbors, you should coordinate channel settings with them. Simply using different channel numbers won't always solve the problem. However, if both parties use a different one of the channel numbers 1, 6 or 11, that will guarantee elimination of cross-WLAN interference.



MAC Address Filtering

Newer wireless routers and access points support a handy security feature called MAC address filtering. I wholeheartedly recommend it. This feature allows you to register wireless adapters with your access point (or router), and force the unit to reject communications from any wireless device that isn't on your list. MAC address filtering combined with WEP encryption affords very good security protection.



Wireless Adapter Profiles

Many wireless adapters support a feature called profiles that allows you to set up and save multiple WLAN configurations. For example, you can create an ad hoc configuration for your home WLAN and an infrastructure mode configuration for your office, then switch between the two profiles as needed. I recommend setting up profiles on any computers you plan to move between your home network and some other WLAN; the time you spend now will save much more time and aggravation later.

WEP Encryption

Among the options you'll see for activating wireless encryption, 128-bit WEP is a safe bet. Older 40 or 64-bit WEP offers inadequate protection. A few 802.11g products support 152-bit or 256-bit WEP, that is fine too, if all of your gear supports it. Newer equipment offers WPA. General-purpose WPA is unnecessarily complex for a home WLAN, but WPA-PSK works well.



To set 128-bit WEP, pick and assign a number called a WEP passkey. You must apply the same WEP settings and passkey to the access point (router) and all adapters.



General Tips

If you've finished installing the components, but your home network isn't functioning correctly, troubleshoot methodically:



Can't reach the Internet? Temporarily turn off your firewall to determine whether you have a firewall configuration problem, or some other issue.

Likewise, turn on and test your wireless adapters one by one, to determine if problems are isolated to a single computer or common to all.

Try ad hoc networking if infrastructure networking isn't functional, and perhaps you'll identify a problem with your access point or router.

To help you work methodically, as you build your network, write down on paper the key settings like network name, WEP passkey, MAC addresses, and channel numbers (then eat the evidence afterward!).

Don't worry about making mistakes; you can go back and alter any of your WLAN settings any time.

Finally, don't be surprised if your wireless LAN performance doesn't match the numbers quoted by the manufacturer. For example, although 802.11b equipment technically supports 11 Mbps bandwidth, that is a theoretical maximum never achieved in practice. A significant amount of Wi-Fi network bandwidth is consumed by overhead that you cannot control. Expect to see more than about one-half the maximum bandwidth (5.5 Mbps at most for 802.11b, about 20 Mbps at most for the others) on your home WLAN.



Conclusion

Armed with the information contained in this answer, you're now well on your way to building a working home WLAN. Welcome to the world of wireless networking!


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...