Did you know that you can build your own office or home computer wireless network in just a few easy steps and save yourself some bucks? This type of wireless network is also called an ad-hoc, and in this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to build it.
What Will I Need To
Build My Own Wireless Network?
What If I Already Have A Broadband Router Without Wireless Capability?
Remember, Windows XP is perfectly secure for the client computers and can be configured as follows:
1. From the task bar, click the wireless network icon.
2. You’ll be asked to choose a wireless network; choose your ad-hoc network.
3. Click “connect.”
4. Enter the network key (security pass characters.)
A growing number of people are actually assembling their own wireless network. Who doesn't want the best mobile broadband at the best price possible? The economy is still tough and people are looking for anyway to get the best bang for their buck in all that they buy and use. Plus, having this wireless network will enable you to print, share files, and access the internet without the annoyance of connecting a network cable. For laptop users, no cable means total freedom in using your computer wherever and whenever. For desktop users, no cable means not having to be a gymnast to install a network cable.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to ensure that your laptop or desktop computer has wireless network capability. Most newer desktops and all newer laptops have this feature. If not, then you must buy wireless network cards for the computer(s).
- Broadband internet connection.
- Wireless network cards installed on all computers you’ll be using your wireless network.
- (OPTIONAL) wireless broadband router.
Broadband Router Or
Not?
Most people assume they must have a broadband router to have a wireless network. However, you can setup a wireless network without a broadband router, and I'll show you how in just a moment. This will save you some money, but you should be aware that there are some disadvantages to not having a wireless router, such as:
* Network speed will be slower. Even using a 54 Mbps or higher card will not get you a network speed faster than 11 Mbps.
* You won’t have a hardware-based firewall to keep your computer at its safest.
* WEP is the only encryption supported in Windows XP. This lack of security could leave you vulnerable to hackers. Note: Without a wireless broadband router, the computer with the internet connection (host computer) must be running at least Windows Vista to enable a secure encryption system - WPA2. However, the client computers can still safely run Windows XP.
* If you turn the computer with the broadband internet connection off, then the other computers will lose their internet connection.
What If I Already Have A Broadband Router Without Wireless Capability?
No problem, but do be sure to change your networks’ IP address range if configured to use 192.168.0.x range to 192.168.1.x since this is the same range Windows internet sharing service uses. Opening http://192.168.0.1 will usually allow you access to the router’s setup program to change the range.
Wireless Network Card
Buy each computer you plan to connect to your wireless network a wireless network card. These cards are compatible with at least one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols. The most common of these protocols are IEEE 802.11b, g, a, and n. 802.11b transfers data 11 Mbps and under. 802.11g and 801.11a can both transfer data 54 Mbps and under, but differ in the frequency of the spectrum they operate. Depending on how many antennas are used, the channel size, and the frequency from the spectrum, 802.11n can transfer data from 65 Mbps to 600 Mbps. The 300, 270, 150, and 130 Mbps are the most common speeds for this standard. Wireless cards and the router must be compatible with the intended speed.
In theory, it may seem best to use 54 Mbps or faster wireless network card, but you should keep two things in mind. First, ad-hoc networks can’t transfer data above 11 Mbps. Second, buying a 54 Mbps card isn’t very prudent simply because your internet connection speed will be slower regardless. Let's say you have a 1 Mbps internet connection. The network will be capable of transferring data 54x faster than your internet connection. So an 11 Mbps network is more than sufficient for an average user, is cheaper, and you’ll still have a network capable of transferring data faster than your internet connection.
Add-on and USB are the two kinds of wireless network cards. Add-on has a reputation for being more stable. For laptops, add-on cards are used with the PC Card or Express Card slots. For desktops, add-on cards are used with the PCI slot. Follow the card’s manual for installation.
Configuring Your Host Computer
Once a wireless network card has been installed on all the computers you’d like to be connected to the wireless network, you’ll configure the computer with the broadband internet connection (host computer.) Those using a regular broadband router to share connection to the internet can use any of the connected computers as the host. However, as mentioned above, remember to change the IP address range if applicable and ensure it’s running Windows Vista or greater.
In theory, it may seem best to use 54 Mbps or faster wireless network card, but you should keep two things in mind. First, ad-hoc networks can’t transfer data above 11 Mbps. Second, buying a 54 Mbps card isn’t very prudent simply because your internet connection speed will be slower regardless. Let's say you have a 1 Mbps internet connection. The network will be capable of transferring data 54x faster than your internet connection. So an 11 Mbps network is more than sufficient for an average user, is cheaper, and you’ll still have a network capable of transferring data faster than your internet connection.
Add-on and USB are the two kinds of wireless network cards. Add-on has a reputation for being more stable. For laptops, add-on cards are used with the PC Card or Express Card slots. For desktops, add-on cards are used with the PCI slot. Follow the card’s manual for installation.
Configuring Your Host Computer
Once a wireless network card has been installed on all the computers you’d like to be connected to the wireless network, you’ll configure the computer with the broadband internet connection (host computer.) Those using a regular broadband router to share connection to the internet can use any of the connected computers as the host. However, as mentioned above, remember to change the IP address range if applicable and ensure it’s running Windows Vista or greater.
You’re
ready to configure your host computer:
- Click on the “start menu.”
- Select “control panel.”
- Select “network and sharing center.”
- Select “manage wireless networks.”
- A window will appear; click “add.”
- Select “create an ad hoc network” from the menu that appears.
- Click “next.”
- Fill in the following when Windows Vista asks you about the properties for your network.
- The name you'd like to call your network.
- Select WPA-Personal for “security type.”
- You’ll need to come up with a security key/pass phrase for other users to connect to your network. The security key should be a combination of 63 numbers and letters. Type in some random combination, click the “display characters” option, copy and paste the characters to your notepad, and print it out for your records.
- Select “save this network.”
9. Click “next.”
10. Select “turn on internet connection sharing.”
Configuring
Your Client Computers:
1. From the task bar, click the wireless network icon.
2. You’ll be asked to choose a wireless network; choose your ad-hoc network.
3. Click “connect.”
4. Enter the network key (security pass characters.)
This is a guest article by Ruben
Corbo, a writer for the website Broadband Expert where you can find internet
service providers in your area and compare prices on different deals for your best
mobile broadband needs.
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