Introduction
A wireless network can be setup by using the different components that supports the transmission of the radio waves through the air and they are based on the IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards. They can be divided into two categories fixed wireless systems and mobile wireless systems. Fixed wireless or WLAN allow users in the local area network to communicate with each other and access the internet.
In the wireless networking, there is no need for the complicated and clustered wiring for connectivity and data communication. It can be setup by using the wireless LAN card, access point and wireless broadband router.
Each computer should have a wireless LAN card installed and configured to communicate with the other computers. There are many businesses, universities, airports, hotels and public places where the wired network is not suitable, so the wireless network is the best solution at these places. They are getting popularity both in the home and business networking all over the world and they are replacing the wired networks very rapidly.
Along with their advantages, there are some disadvantages of the wireless network and the most common is that they are susceptible to the electromagnetic interference and radio waves and if no proper security mechanism are implemented then in can be accessed by the intruders and unauthorized users. Secondly, they have limited range as compared to the Ethernet networks.
How to Configure?
Before installing it, make sure that you have picked the best location to get the best performance, speed, and reliability. Secondly, all your devices like Wireless LAN card, broadband router and access points should be compatible with each other and they must support these standards 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The 802.11g is recommended as it provides the best performance. Installing and configuring a wireless home or office network is very simple. The following steps will guide you that how to setup a wireless network.
- Place the wireless router in the centralized location so that they can come closer to each computer.
- Next step is to configure your wireless router, connect your computer with the open network port (WAN, WLAN) of wireless router through the Ethernet cable. Open internet explorer and type the IP address of your wireless router and press enter. You will be prompted for the password. Provide the default password of your router usually “admin” without quotes. Most of the settings are okay, but you need to provide your wireless network name known as SSID, wireless encryption WEP or WPA to protect your network and the administrator’s password. After configuring the settings, click save settings, Apply and Ok.
- Generate the Encryption key.
- After configuring the wireless router, the next step is to connect your computer with the wireless router and install wireless LAN card in every computer of your network.
- In Windows XP computer, after the successful installation of the LAN card, a notification icon will appear on the right side of Windows bottom. Right click on that icon and click “View Available Wireless Networks” a wireless network connection window will appear and you will see the available networks listed with the names (SSID) that you have provided before. If you don’t see any list, click the refresh button the in upper left corner and when you see your network name Click it and then press Connect in the lower right corner.
- Next you will be promoted to provide the encryption key, after providing the key click Connect.
- Windows will show you the progress as it connects the network.
- Make sure that you have entered the correct encryption key.
- You’re done.
How to Secure
There are a number of things that you should consider while configuring your wireless network. The common threats to a wireless network include unauthorized access, malicious entities, denial of service, internal attacks and virus attacks.
- Use strong password.
- Disable SSID broadcasting.
- Configure MAC address filtering.
- Implement WEP or WPA
- Install and configure an up-to-dated antivirus program.
- Implement firewall.