Installing a Wireless Home Network

Susan Norris

Topics

• Check for Broadband Availability

• Equipment Needed

• Plan Your Layout

• Setting Up the Wi-Fi Devices

• Setting Up the Access Point

• Configuring Your Network

Broadband Availability

• Wireless Does Not Work Well with Dial-Up

• If You Don’t Already Have DSL or Cable, Check for Availability in Your Area

High Speed Internet Offer!

Equipment Needed

• Cable or DSL Modem

• Router• Wireless Access

Pointor Router/AP Combo

• Wireless NICs

Layout Network

• Place the Access Point in the Center of Your Network

• Place as High as Possible• Do Not Place Near TVs, Telephones or Appliances

Install Wireless NIC into Desktop PC

• Remove Cover of PC and Install Wireless NICS in any Desktop Computers

• Computers Can Also be Connected to AP via cat 5 Patch Cables

Install Wireless NIC in Laptop

• Wireless NIC can be PCMIA Card or USB Connection or You May Have a Built in Centrino Wireless Chip

• Insert Plug’nPlay Card or USB Device• If You Have a Built-in Chip, You Have Nothing Else to

Install in Your Laptop

Connect Desktop PCs Without Wireless NIC to Access Point

• Most APs have 4 ports for wired PC connections• Use a Cat 5 Cable to Connect the Ethernet Port on the PC to one Port on the

AP• If There are More than 4 Wired PCs, you will need to Add a Hub or a Router

Know Your Cable or DSL Modem

• Ethernet Connection

• USB Connection

• Cable (Internet) Connection

• Power Supply

•On the Back of Your Modem You Should See the Following Ports

Know the Back of Your Access Point

• Your Access Point will Typically Have the Following Ports/Connections

• Ethernet (Internet) Connection

• Wired Network Connections

• Power Supply• Reset Button

Connect the AP to the Cable or DSL Modem

•Use a Cat 5 Patch Cable to Connect Ethernet Port on Modem to Internet Port on AP•Modem Should Already be Connected to Cable via Cable Port •Power On Modem, then Power On AP

Configuring Your Network

• Power On the Computer from which You Want to Configure the Router (Access Point) – Can be Wired or Wireless Computer

• Open a Browser Window and Enter the following in the Address Field:

http://192.168.1.1

Sign On Screen

• You Will Need to Sign On• If You Haven’t Changed the Defaults,

Typically You Leave the User Name Blank and type “admin” into the Password Field

admin

Configuration Screen• This is a Linksys Configuration Screen• If You Have a Different Device, it Should look Similar• Click the Wirelss Link

Configuration Continued

Most Important Items Here – These are What Secure Your Network

– Change Network Name (SSID) to Something Other than Default (Linksys in this case)

– If You Don’t Want Your Network Name to be Broadcast for Others to See, Click the Disable Radio Button – Recommended

– Click Save Setting Button– Click the Wireless Security Link

mynetwork

Configuration Continued• Security Mode is IMPORTANT – This is What Makes Your Network More

Secure from Intrusion• Select a Security Mode other than Disable – Here We are Selecting WEP• Select a Timeout Key, Level of Encryption• Create a Passphrase (unique name that you will remember) and click Generate• Access Keys will be Generated for You – MAKE NOTE OF THESE• Save Settings• Click the Security Link

secureme123456789AB23456789ABC3456789ABCD56789ABCDEF

Configuration Continued

• Set Up the Router’s Firewall Here• Enabling Block WAN Requests Makes Your Network More

Secure by Making It Much Harder for an Intruder to Get In• Select Other Links as Appropriate

Signing on to the Network

• Turn On Your PC With the Wireless Connection

• Your Quick Launch Bar Should Show Your Wireless Connection

Network Signon Continued

• If You Point at One of These With Your Mouse, You Should See the Status of Your Wireless

• If the Connection Says Network Unconnected, Double-Click on the Icon

Network Signon Continued• Select Desired Network then Click Connect

• NOTE: This is the screen where you can see any broadcast wireless networks in your area. If a network is unsecured, you can use it for Internet access – select the network and click Connect. Once you connect, you will be using the other network; however, it will likely be considerably slower than yours.

Network Signon Continued

• Sign On to Network• Security Enabled?

• Enter a Security Key and Press Connect – Enter Key First Time You Access Network– Enter Key Anytime You Reconnect to Network

Enjoy Your Network