For homes with more than one computer, it would be wise for you to setup a wireless network and share your high speed internet connection, as well as the scanner, printer, and other computer devices.

Wireless networking, "wireless fidelity", or Wi-Fi, is gaining popularity nowadays because it is just so darn easy and very straightforward.

So, for those who want to use Wi-Fi technology in their homes, here's a short tutorial to guide you through the process and answer some of the most frequently asked questions. To setup your home network you will need a wireless router and wireless PCI cards.

1. Get the equipment you will need.

A wireless or Wi-Fi router. This will allow you to share your internet connection. You will be able to connect to the net without having to use any networking cables.

Next, you will need Wi-Fi cards, or wireless PCI cards, for desktop or notebook computer. Most laptops nowadays have these already installed. This, in turn, enables your PCs to receive the connection being broadcast by the Wi-Fi router.

Optionally, you can buy a wireless antenna. This will boost the signal put out by your wireless router. Depending on how wide of a net you want to cast around your house will determine if you need to buy a wireless antenna. One word of warning though is that your neighbors can borrow your wireless network if you have a strong enough signal for them to tap into.

2. Choose what standard you will implement.

Wi-Fi has different standards that have evolved through time. The most popular is 802.11b, or "B" for short, which can carry data at 11 megabytes per second or mbps.

The next generation Wi-Fi is the "G" devices that can transmit data at 54mbps. The G standard is backward compatible with the B standard.

3. Connect to your wireless router.

Be sure that when you attempt to connect to your wireless router, you have shut down all your devices. With an Ethernet cable, hook up to the LAN of the other computer or to the WAN port if you are using an Ethernet port of the modem's cable. Then, make use of a second Ethernet cable and attach it to the computer's Ethernet adapter.

After which, hook up the other end of the cable to one of the Ethernet's four individual port router. It is strongly recommended that you use port 1 as the default port area. Then, plug in the power adapter to the power port of your router and then attach it to an electrical outlet. You can immediately use your computer after configuring the settings of your router.

4. Install the Wi-Fi cards on your desktop PC or laptop.

Installing a wi-fi card might involve opening the casing and installing a card inside your desktop. This can be very complex so it is best to ask for some professional help regarding this one especially if it is your first time.

For notebooks and even desktop PCs you could use a USB Wi-Fi dongle in place of installing a wi-fi card. A wireless dongle is a USB network adapter that plugs into your notebook or PC to enable access to a LAN, or peer-to-peer networking without the need of any wires.

5. Turn on your computers and get surfing.

Once you've installed your wireless router and network cards you are on your way to surfing anywhere in your house.

This just goes to show that since the proliferation of wireless fidelity, networking had never been the same again and Internet connection within your household is now open to a wide array of virtual possibilities.

Copyright 2005 by Home Wireless Network and Wallace Renckers.

This article may be used freely in ezines, newsletters, websites, to offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, active links and this resource box is included.

About The Author

Wallace Renckers is a wireless networking fanatic who offers a free course on how to setup a home wireless network and wireless networking tips and troubleshooting articles Visit http://www.home-wireless-network.com/

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Routers... Securing your Wireless Network When one thinks about home security, they ususally think of taking measures like installing alarms, deadbolts, and window locking devices. But if you have a wireless computer network like many American homes, your personal data (credit card numbers and banking information) could be open to hackers. When you first purchase and turn on your wireless router, the router manufacturer makes it dead simple to connect your wireless devices. Out of the box, your wireless router is unsecured. Given that most wireless routers have a range of around 100 feet, if your neighbours have wireless devices, they can connect just as easy as you can. Even worse, hackers can drive past your house with a $29 wireless network detector and discover and connect to your unsecured network! The good news is that you can perform 4 very basic steps to secure your wireless network and prevent hackers from gaining access to your data. You will need to consult the manual for your wireless router to perform the...

Routers, Computer Networking News

Lockdown Monitors the Security of Your Computer (PC World) An application from Foozoo Design called Lockdown will monitor your computer while your away and sound an alarm if someone... Protecting Your Computer (WSLS Newschannel 10 Roanoke) There are dangerous hazards lurking online to infiltrate your computer. But help is on the way! Consumer Reports tested 10 Internet security software programs you have to pay for—like McAfee and Norton from Symantec—as well as software you can download free. New Way To Build Data Centers: Use Commodity Network Elements (Science Daily) Computer scientists have proposed a new way to build data centers that could save companies money and deliver more computing capability to end-users. UW-Stout looks to add computer engineering degree (Rivertowns.net) The University of Wisconsin-Stout is hoping to add a computer engineering degree program. "This is a logical extension of our engineering effort and clearly is an essential part of our mission to serve this region of the state," said Charles Sorensen, UW-Stout chancellor.