Home Network: Home wireless networking tutorial

Home wireless networking tutorial

Wireless home network mini tutorial:

1. Determine number of users and stations that will connect to the network. Include any commonly shared hardware such as printers.

2. Purchase the correct required hardware. Ideally go for a wireless broadband modem router if you are going to be sharing an Internet connection. For laptop users, PCMCIA cards or USB sticks are required to access the network; for desktop users a wireless PCI card, USB stick or PCMCIA card with the help of a special adaptor can be used.

3. Read any manufacturer guidelines or special notes before starting installation. Some devices such as laptop access cards may require that you install drivers before physically connecting the hardware.

4. Configure the router using the supplied Ethernet cable, based on manufacturer guidelines. Setup Internet connection settings, wireless settings and add basic security. Add the MAC address of all computers that are going to be connected to the network to the router settings. This can be found by typing ipconfig in the Windows command prompt.

5. Connect the router to the Internet socket and test it. Make sure all the status lights are indicating as they should.

6. Configure each users computer one by one, testing each one has network access as you go along and making sure they are able to access the Internet.

7. Connect and setup common resources such as printers.

8. Apply advanced security settings to the router and reconfigure computers as necessary. Make sure all PCs have antivirus software and software firewalls installed (unless a hardware version is already available).