Installing a Wireless Network

Due to the layout of some offices and homes a wired network is not always the best or most practical way of installing a computer network.  If you are setting up in an office environment then it is recommended that you approach an IT network support company.Otherwise, the following 7 hints will give you some guidelines for setting up a more preferable wireless network.

1) To start with you should make a complete list of your requirements and in particular the devices required for creating the network.The most common elements of a wireless network are: wireless routers, wireless network adapters, switches/hubs, wireless LAN cards, cable modems, antennas, firewalls, wireless bridges and cables.

2) Ensure that you have your broadband modem connected to the wireless router.The modem should be connected to your wireless network router by using an Ethernet or Cat5 cable.

3) The next job is for you to connect the wireless router with the computers to be included on the network.Each computer will require a wireless network adapter or wireless LAN card.If the computers to be added to the network do not have a LAN card then a USB Network adapter is recommended.  

4)  The wireless router should then be configured.In most cases you will find that an ethernet cable is provided with a wireless network adapter.You should connect one end of the cable to the LAN socket of the computer.The router's user manual will then tell you how to go about configuring it from here.

5) Your next job is to then configure your wireless network adapter on each computer.Windows XP should automatically detect the hardware changes after the adapter is connected.Other versions of windows may that a driver CV be inserted.

6) Make sure that your broadband modem is connected to the internet.If this is not the case then the modem's user manual will walk you through the process.

7) Once all of the network devices have been configured, your operating system will display a wireless network icon at the bottom of the screen.

If you are looking to set up a wireless network in an office environment then you should consider approaching a professional IT support company as the above process is more complicated and requires the installation of additional security measures.  They will also be able to provide online backup services in case your data is lost or corrupted.