Techno-files
Staying wired with a wireless networkBy Riley Gay
When you talk about the latest trends in personal computing, “wireless” is the word.
With more multi-PC households out there, home users are looking for ways to share files, printers and broadband Internet service between their various computers, and the easiest, most flexible way to do this is by setting up a wireless network.
Whether you want to free a laptop to roam, or have two (or more) desktop computers that need to communicate, a wireless network can be the most practical solution for getting all of your devices connected.
Until recently, though, installing a wireless network in the home was a pricey and somewhat complex proposition. But manufacturers of “Wi-Fi” (for “wireless fidelity”) devices have stepped up to provide products geared more toward the average home user, with affordable pricing and installation instructions that aim to be less technical and easier to understand.
With a maximum transfer rate of 11Mbps, Wi-Fi (also known as 802.11b) provides the speed you need to make sharing a broadband connection, such as DSL or cable, a realistic networking solution, without the hassle of running cabling throughout your home. It will also allow wireless connections at a range of up to 300 feet – enough to reach just about any room in even the most spacious house.
And having a wireless network will let everyone in the house use that speedy broadband connection at the same time, which should help to end any squabbling over whose turn it is to surf the ‘Net.
To set up your own wireless network, you’ll first need to purchase a wireless multi-port router, to act as a hub between your computers and to function as an access point to your broadband connection. There are several good choices designed with home users in mind from companies such as Linksys, SMC, D-Link, and Netgear, and most can be found for around $150. In addition to allowing network connectivity, your wireless router will function as an Internet firewall, giving you added security against unwanted intruders.
These same router manufacturers also make the wireless Ethernet adapters you’ll need for each computer that you want to add to your network. Most adapters can be purchased for less than $100 but, to help lower your costs, any PC located in close enough proximity to the router can be connected using a standard Ethernet adapter and cabling, as most routers accept both wired and wireless connections. Also, since 802.11b is a standard wireless protocol, you can mix routers and adapters from different manufacturers, but using products from the same company will probably simplify the installation process.
Once you’ve set up your wireless network, you’ll need to configure each computer to allow file and print sharing with one another. This is a fairly simple process, but you may want to consult the help files of your particular operating system for detailed information on getting this done.
In order to share a printer across the network, you’ll need to install the proper drivers on each computer. During driver installation, you just need to specify that you’re installing it as a remote printer if it’s not directly connected to that particular computer.
If you run into any problems while setting up your network, or have questions about installing and configuring your network devices, you should check the manufacturer’s website for detailed information. Often the documentation that ships with the product can be somewhat less than complete. There are also some excellent sites that you can go to online for help with your setup, such as HomeNetHelp.com (http://homenethelp.com/).
With a wireless network you’ll be able to take full advantage of the computing power in your home, allowing you the flexibility to get the most out of your technology.
If you like the idea of having breakfast on the patio while using your laptop to read your favorite newspaper online, or maybe checking your email while watching TV from the couch then sending it to the printer in the den, setting up a wireless network in your home can let you stop imagining and start enjoying a whole new freedom in home computing.
