If you are thinking about using wireless networking in your home or office this short article should point you in the right direction. We will take a look at what the technology is, what components you need, and how to go about installing a wireless network.
What's Wireless Networking?
Wireless networking involves no physical cables. All data moves in the air through radio waves. That means there are no wires to trip over and you get total mobility to move around your location at will. Got a two story home and the networking modem is on the first floor? You can use wireless networking to let the kids access the Internet on the 2nd floor.
What Wireless Networking Equipment Do I Need?
Before you begin setting up a wireless network, you need to purchase wireless networking cards, router, and patch cable to get started. You can find most wireless equipment for the home or office at your local computer store and online. It isn't very expensive to get started, anywhere between $150-$300 being the norm.
Thee are many WLAN products that conform to Wifi standards and some manufacturers have gone ahead implemented products on future standards. Currently, there are four standards:
- Wireless-B (up to 11mbps)
- Wireless-A (up to 54Mpbs)
- Wireless-G (up to 54Mbps with greater range)
- Wireless-N (over 100Mpbs)
If you like to keep on top of the bleeding edge, go with the Wireless-N standard. This offers the fastest connectivity speed and is backwards compatible with all previous standards. The cost is slightly more but the benefits far outweigh having speed - especially if you view video and play high end games.
Wireless Router
When purchasing wireless networking equipment it always best to stick with one vendor. Mixing and matching wireless cards and routers will likely cause problems and a loss in your time and return of the product. For this reason, we recommend Cisco Linksys wireless networking as we have used it over the last 5 years without any problems. [kerry]
First thing you need to do is purchase a wireless router. Cable and DSL users are usually given a modem by their Internet Service Providers. What you do is connect the wireless router to the modem by a patch cable.
From there all Internet data moves from your computers to the wireless router, then to the modem. Here's an illustration:
As you move farther away from the wireless router, the weaker the signal. This is why we recommend using Wireless-N for greater range and speed.
Wireless Neworking Cards
The next thing you need to purchase are the wireless networking cards. If you have a laptop, you can buy a USB 2.0 wireless adapter. For desktop computers purchase PCI wireless networking cards. Make sure you get the right card for the right type of computer.
Simply install the software and then place the card into the computer to use.
Wireless Networking Is Easy To Setup
Setting up a wireless network is easy and affordable. If you want full mobility and connectivity throughout your office or home, this is the best way to go. Besides, wouldn't it be nice to sit by the pool with your laptop soaking up the sun and surfing the Internet? Thought so.
Eliminate pesky network cables and go wireless.
We Recommend These Wireless Networking Equipment
Please remember, it is best to not mix and match wireless equipment among vendors. It is also best to stick within the same wireless standard (wireless N) when buying your equipment. We have put together all the PCI cards, USB adapters, and Wireless routers sold on Amazon that follow the Wireless N standard. [kerry]
| Linksys USB Wireless N Networking adapter for laptop computers | |
| Linksys USB Wireless N Networking adapter for laptop computers | |
| Linksys USB 2.0 Wireless PCI networking adapters for dekstop computers | |
| Linksys Wireless Networking N Router |
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