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 Point or 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 On the Back of Your Modem You Should See the Following Ports Ethernet Connection USB Connection Cable (Internet) Connection Power Supply

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 secureme 123456789AB 23456789ABC 3456789ABCD 56789ABCDEF

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