1. Installing a Wireless Home Network
Susan Norris

2. Topics Check for Broadband Availability Equipment Needed
Plan Your Layout
Setting Up the Wi-Fi Devices
Setting Up the Access Point
Configuring Your Network

3. 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!

4. Equipment Needed Cable or DSL Modem Router
Wireless Access Point or Router/AP Combo
Wireless NICs

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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:

13. 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

14. Configuration Screen This is a Linksys Configuration Screen
If You Have a Different Device, it Should look Similar
Click the Wirelss Link

15. 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

16. 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 AB
ABC
ABCD
56789ABCDEF

17. 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

18. Signing on to the Network
Turn On Your PC With the Wireless Connection
Your Quick Launch Bar Should Show Your Wireless Connection

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. Enjoy Your Network