How Important Is A Wireless Network?

Posted on April 16th, 2008 in Wireless Networks by scottyken

Having a wireless network opens up many possibilities.
Wireless networks provide an inexpensive and easy way to share a single Internet connection among several computers. This means you only need one modem, and you can add additional computers to the network just by plugging in a wireless card and turning them on. The new machines are connected to the Internet immediately.

A wireless network also lets you access files and printers from anywhere in your home. It allows you to synchronize files you have on your laptop with your home computer, and you can easily send files between computers as well. Using a wireless network to transfer files is faster than sending them via e-mail or burning them to a CD! Because printers connected to one of the computers on a network are shared by all the computers on that network, you can write documents anywhere in your home, press the print button, and collect the printed files from a printer that is connected to another computer.

If you are a game player, you have probably noticed that your games often have an option to play over a local area network or LAN. Wireless networks are LANs! This means you and your family can play these games together and do not have to be on computers that are next to each other to do so. Lets face it it is more fun to play against real people, and it is even more fun to play against people you know instead of strangers on the Internet. Your games will also play much faster over your LAN. Additionally, you can connect game consoles to the Internet and begin playing these games online. It is much easier to experience online play through an Xbox or PlayStation 2 that is connected to a wireless network than have to use a modem!

Wireless network connections are always on. This means you can connect to the Internet whenever you want without waiting for your modem to dial in. Laptops can be carried from room to room, and they will always have access to the Internet. Since wireless networks operate without the need to log in, you do not need to set up usernames or passwords.

The single greatest thing about a wireless network is that it is, well, wireless! The biggest reason to have a wireless network is because it eliminates the need for costly, ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over your house. You can use your computer in any room you want no more being trapped near a phone outlet or walking over that tangle of wires in your home. The cost of getting enough Ethernet cables can add up, and sometimes, you may even have to make holes in your walls to set up a wired network. If you are renting, of course, this is impossible. With a wireless network, you do not have these problems - you can even use your computer outside if you want! And if you move, there is no need to disconnect and pack up all those wires, and you no longer have to examine all the wires for damage whenever your Internet connection goes down.

You can see how having a wireless network can simplify your life.

To find more articles and information about communication technology and wireless networks visit http://communication-tips.com

Stay Connected With A Wireless Router

Posted on April 16th, 2008 in Wireless Networks by scottyken

If you hate having to turn on a modem every time you use another computer on your wireless network, get ready to be happy. There is a way to resolve this problem, and it is called a wireless router.

A wireless router is a small, low-power computer that does nothing but provide Internet access to your wireless network. When you use a wireless router, any computer on your network can be connected to the Internet at any time, regardless of whatever other computers are turned on. This is possible because a wireless router does only one thing, but it does it very well. The router does not even need to be configured before its initial operation in most cases.

When you go looking for a wireless router, there are several things to consider. As with any other wireless equipment, you must think about the routers range, speed, and standards. Speed is the top issue for a router, since it may have to provide Internet access to more than one computer at a time. This means that it has to be fast enough to handle this. As far as standards and range go, it is probably silly to buy capabilities beyond what your current wireless set-up has. You will not get any improvements by obtaining a more sophisticated router.

We should note that the Linksys WRT54G router is the most popular router currently available. It is also the easiest router to use. It is more expensive than some other routers, however, so you should always shop around to find the best deal. Also, you should make it a point to read reviews about any product you are considering.

Installing your wireless router is easy, since most work right out of the box. You should just have to plug it in to the power supply and connect your modem. In most cases, that is all you need to do to begin accessing the Internet wirelessly. In some cases, you might have to perform a few other tasks. The most common issue involves an ISP that uses special software to authenticate your identity before you can get on the Internet. This Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet, or PPPoE, basically allows you to have broadband access while still requiring that you to input a username and password first. Most wireless routers support PPPoE, but you will have to get into the manual and perform some adjustments. You may also need to download an update for the firmware, or on-board software, from the router manufacturers website.

Some of the problems that may arise when using a wireless router involve programs that require a direct connection to the Internet to perform some functions. These programs can be used with wireless routers, but configuring them to do so can be a painful process. Wireless routers may also have built-in firewalls that permit data to come through certain ports only, while keeping other ports closed. Programs that require this opening of ports have become relatively rare, but you may have to make this adjustment at some point. The routers manual will tell you how to handle this if the need arises.

To find more information and advise on wireless networks visit http://science-discovery.com

Some Good Reasons For Having A Wireless Connection

Posted on April 16th, 2008 in Wireless Networks by scottyken

Having a wireless network opens up many possibilities,
they provide an inexpensive and easy way to share a single Internet connection among several computers. This means you only need one modem, and you can add additional computers to the network just by plugging in a wireless card and turning them on. The new machines are connected to the Internet immediately.

A wireless network also lets you access files and printers from anywhere in your home. It allows you to synchronize files you have on your laptop with your home computer, and you can easily send files between computers as well. Using a wireless network to transfer files is faster than sending them via e-mail or burning them to a CD! Because printers connected to one of the computers on a network are shared by all the computers on that network, you can write documents anywhere in your home, press the print button, and collect the printed files from a printer that is connected to another computer.

If you are a game player, you have probably noticed that your games often have an option to play over a local area network or LAN. Wireless networks are LANs! This means you and your family can play these games together and do not have to be on computers that are next to each other to do so. Lets face it, it is more fun to play against real people, and it is even more fun to play against people you know instead of strangers on the Internet.

Your games will also play much faster over your LAN. Additionally, you can connect game consoles to the Internet and begin playing these games online. It is much easier to experience online play through an Xbox or PlayStation 2 that is connected to a wireless network than have to use a modem!

Wireless network connections are always on. This means you can connect to the Internet whenever you want without waiting for your modem to dial in. Laptops can be carried from room to room, and they will always have access to the Internet. Since wireless networks operate without the need to log in, you do not need to set up usernames or passwords.

The single greatest thing about a wireless network is that it is, well, wireless! The biggest reason to have a wireless network is because it eliminates the need for costly, ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over your house. You can use your computer in any room you want no more being trapped near a phone outlet or walking over that tangle of wires in your home. The cost of getting enough Ethernet cables can add up, and sometimes, you may even have to make holes in your walls to set up a wired network. If you are renting, of course, this is impossible. With a wireless network, you don not have these problems - you can even use your computer outside if you want! And if you move, there is no need to disconnect and pack up all those wires, and you no longer have to examine all the wires for damage whenever your Internet connection goes down.

You can see how having a wireless network can simplify your life.

To find more information and advise on wireless networks visit http://science-discovery.com

What Is Bluetooth, A Description Of Bluetooth Technology

Posted on April 15th, 2008 in Wireless Networks by ripsaw

Every day we are seeing more and more electronic gadgets that are advertised as being Bluetooth enabled. This may leave you feeling excited or it may leave you trying to figure out what all of the fuss is about. You may just want to know what is Bluetooth? You may just want a simple description of Bluetooth technology.

Bluetooth mobile wireless technology is fast becoming a leader when it comes to technologies that involve wireless communication. It is becoming all the rage all over the world because in the short time it has been around Bluetooth technology has paved the way for computers, telephones and other electronic gadgets to be able to communicate with other Bluetooth devices that are within range. The current range for Bluetooth wireless technology networking is about thirty feet.

The Bluetooth wireless system provides a cheap and secure way to communicate with other Bluetooth devices. This is done without the need for any wires.

You may be wondering what is Bluetooth good for. Bluetooth technology is now used in almost all of the newer cell phones and handheld PDAs. Some laptops and printers use this as well. This is just a small sampling of the type of devices you can purchase that uses this technology. Every day more and more products are being brought to market.

Wireless phones are probably the most widely Bluetooth enabled device, but new things are coming out every day. You can now find Bluetooth wireless speakers and headphones. The future should see many new Bluetooth gadgets come into the marketplace. It is possible that some day wireless will really mean just that. The only wire you will see is the one that plugs into the wall socket. People will look forward to the day when that tangled mess of wires is a thing of the past.

Some of the big advantages of Bluetooth technology are how fast the transfer of data is and how inexpensive the components really are. You also are able to transmit both data and voice at the same time.

Bluetooth technology has been around for a few years now. It is becoming more and more popular because it is used by many different manufactures, and the price is reasonable. You can expect to see a lot more Bluetooth enabled devices come out and hopefully the prices will become more reasonable as time goes by. It will not be long before it will be hard to find someone who will ask the question what is Bluetooth. Soon a description of Bluetooth technology will not be needed.

Are you confused when it comes to Bluetooth technology? For more information on Bluetooth try visiting http://bluetoothtechnology101.com where you will find lots of tips, advice and resources about topics such as cellular Bluetooth headsets.

Pain-Free Steps For Setting Up A Wireless Network In Your Home

Posted on April 11th, 2008 in Wireless Networks by Admin

If you have multiple computers in your home - and multiple people who need internet access, for business, school, or social matters - you’re probably tired of the hassle of sharing the one computer with internet or if you already have a wired network and are tired of dealing with wires running up and down the stairs, across the floor, and through the wall you’re definitely a prime candidate for a wireless internet network in your home!

While it may sound like something complicated and difficult to set up, the truth is that is doesn’t take years of technical expertise to get started. Here are four pain-free steps to follow to set up a wireless network in your home and then enjoy surfing the net on your laptop while relaxing on the couch!

1) Buy Equipment

You’ll need a wireless router, a Broadband internet connection, and a computer that has either a wireless network adapter or an internal wireless card. Make sure the router box tells you there’s a built-in firewall - you don’t want neighbors stealing your internet, and a firewall also protects you from anyone else gaining access to your internet history or passwords.

2) Connect Your Router

Turn off your DSL or cable modem by unplugging it. Then, connect the wireless router to the modem.

Plug the modem back in, and turn it on. Walk around and do something else for a few minutes - the modem will need this time to reconnect to the internet - and then you can plug in and turn on the router. After another minute or two, you should see the WAN light come on, letting you know that the router has connected to the modem.

3) Configure Your Router

Your wireless router came with a networking cable, which you will need to use to connect your computer or laptop to an open network port located on the router. This is only temporary, so don’t worry about seeing a wire!

The router and your computer should connect automatically, so open your internet browser - Internet Explorer seems to work best for many computers - and type in the web site address from your router’s instructions or documentation. It will be a string of numbers, and you’ll then be prompted for a password which will also be inside the router documentation or sometimes right on the router casing.

You’ll then be shown a screen which is your router configuration page. You’ll need to configure three things on here:

- Add your wireless name, the SSID. Choose a name that your neighbors wouldn’t use, as this will be the identifier for your personal wireless network.

- Turn on WEP, wireless encryption that will protect your network. This is what keeps people outside the house from breaking into your internet history or hacking passwords to important sites. This needs a password or phrase.

- Add an administrative password. This should be a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols - you’ll need to remember it, but it should be obscure and uncommon. If you have to change the router settings at any point, this is the password you’ll need to get in.

Make sure you hit ’save- after you change the settings, or else the configuration will revert to the default settings. You can now remove the network cable from your computer.

4) Connect Your Computers

First, download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2. Then, head into your computer and select ‘view available wireless networks- after selecting the wireless network icon at the bottom of your computer screen. You should then see your wireless network listed as an available network. You may have to hit refresh once or twice, but once it appears, you can select your network and hit ‘connect’.

You’ll be prompted to enter your encryption key/password from earlier, and then you can hit ‘connect- again. Windows should show you that it is attempting to connect to your wireless network, and once you’re connected - that’s it! Enjoy your wireless internet access.

Looking for Wireless Routers? Try http://www.wireless-routers.org/

How to Connect a USB Modem Wireless Router Ethernet

Posted on April 10th, 2008 in Wireless Networks by vgevge

I currently have a USB broadband modem. I purchased a wireless router which has ethernet connections. Currently, the modem is plugged into my computer downstairs which is running Windows 98, therefore, it won’t bridge the connections to my computer upstairs(XP). I can’t update to XP because a family member wont ‘risk’ it.

Can I connect the USB broadband modem to my wireless router using a complicated selection of cable adapters ie ethernet to USB (I cant find a USB TO ETHERNET adapter). If this is not possible, if I plug the USB modem into my XP computer, can I bridge the connections to my Win 98 computer using the XP computer as the host?

I think their is Ethernet to USB out their currently but not USB to ethernet. I dont see any reason why you should not be able to hook up your USB modem to your XP computer and use it as a bridge to the 98 computer.

Of course, it would be nicer to have an all-in-one unit, but you can accomplish your goal with this equipment. You cannot use cable adapters to convert the modem’s USB into Ethernet. USB needs drivers to operate, and Ethernet connections do not provide those drivers to the device. you could also connect the modem to the XP machine and bridge connections, yes. but you can leave the system the way it is and configure it to run smoothly like this:

If I had the hardwear in front of me, it would be easier to provide specifics… but i can probly give you an idea of what to do. There are only 2 steps here:

1. configure an internet gateway.
2. configure the router.
And the rest is easy.

1. Set up the internet machine to SHARE AN INTERNET CONNECTION (you can use the wizard if you want, or just enable Internet Connection Sharing), which will turn the 98 into an internet gateway. that gateway needs an IP address designated, however. In essence, the 98 machine will be the internet server, so the IP of the 98 machine is the IP of the gateway. Assign an address, for example: 192.168.1.1 to the 98 machine. the “192.168″ is important, and the last strings you can stretch on, but for the sake of ease lets keep it small. *TIP* the subnet mask will always be 255.255.255.0. okay that takes care of the host machine.

2. after you have an internet gateway, connect the wireless router, and console (or IP) in to the settings, usually by going into internet explorer and typing 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and look for a slot for Internet Gateway. Type the address assigned in step 1. thats that for the router. (there may be other settings necessary for your specific network, and if there are, be sure to configure those.)

Lastly a few housekeeping tasks. make sure the workgroup for both machines is identical. I usually use MSHOME as the workgroup. Also make sure that on the XP machine, your IP address is set to “Automatically Obtain IP address”, also known as DHCP.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.PCSupplies.info/. PCSupplies.info carries the best selection of computer accessories and PC supplies on the market. Start shopping by category here: http://www.PCSupplies.info/menu/category.html.

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