Configuration of a Wireless Network

by using a wireless network it is easy to share an internet connection, files, and printers between two or more computers. With the right equipment it is easy to setup under an hour.

• First of all install adapters in each computer(follow the instructions that come with the device. Connect  a router to the internet modem using an Ethernet cable between the modem  and the WAN port on the router. Connect one of the computers to the router with an Ethernet cable.

• Attach the router (instructions come with it) and configure it. Connect a computer to the router using an Ethernet cable. Follow the instructions and go to the configuration page using the web browser (IP is in the manual), put in default username and password (in the manual). Set  the router to use the same SSID, channel and encryption password or key as the wireless adapters. You can assign static IP addresses, put up a firewall and there are many other feature that a router boasts. Then remove the Ethernet cable and connect to the router wirelessly. You then have to connect the router to the internet modem using the WAN port.

• Eventually do change the default administrator name and password, to make it even harder for an outsider to gain access to the router.

• ( make sure to select one of the 11 available wireless channels to use and enable wireless encryption from the three types which are WEP, WPA, and WPA2 which is the strongest form of encryption, the least you should have is WEP.)

• Access the configuration settings for the wireless adapter on each computer, and set the SSID, wireless channel, and the encryption password or key to match the settings of the wireless router.(In Windows, this can also be done through the “Zero Configuration” applet, which will set the SSID and wireless channel correctly once it finds the router. The applet will then prompt the user for the password or key).

• If you want to interconnect with other computers enable file and printer sharing and ensure that the firewall is enabled. Now check every computer to ensure each has net access and access to the other computers.