In order to set up a wireless home network, you really only need two things: a wireless access point (WAP) and a wireless-enabled computer. Sounds easy, and it is. The WAP is the piece of equipment that transmits a wireless signal throughout your house for other wireless devices to receive. The most common wireless access point is a wireless router.

On the computer end, many computers now include built-in wireless network receivers. Consult your computer documentation to see if your computer already has this feature. If not, you can buy internal wireless cards for the PC, a wireless card for a laptop or USB wireless adaptors that work with both PCs and laptops. USB wireless adaptors are the easiest option because you simply hook them up with a cable. If you want to avoid having extra devices lying around, choose an internal wireless adaptor for your PC or laptop.

Wireless Network Speed Is Measured in Letters, not Numbers
Wireless routers come in two varieties: 802.11g and 802.11n. The letter following the 802.11 is the wireless protocol, or how it communicates with other wireless devices. While speed varies depending on technology enhancements, these letter designations generally correspond to specific wireless network speeds.

The newest wireless protocol, 802.11n, is also the fastest, with speeds up to 300 Mbps. However, the 802.11n standards are not finalized and won’t be until sometime in 2009. If you buy an 802.11n device before that date, you may have compatibility issues with your wireless network as the standards evolve.

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