How to Set Up a Wireless Home Network

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.

802.11g is the most popular and second-fastest wireless protocol, with regular speeds of 54 Mbps. Some 802.11g products also feature enhancements that boost the speed to 108 Mbps, and the newest development is MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology, enabling speeds up to 240 Mbps and drastically increased range.

802.11a and 802.11b are both outdated wireless network protocols that you'll rarely find in stores. If you already have an 802.11b wireless device in your computer, it will work with the 802.11g systems, but at the lower 802.11b speeds. To ensure compatibility, use wireless devices with the same 802.11 designation. For example, if your computer already has built-in wireless 802.11g capabilities, make sure to choose an 802.11g router.

Wireless Throughout the Home
Determining the range of your wireless network is slightly more difficult than evaluating the speed, as many factors come into play to interrupt or block wireless signals. Brick walls, metal objects or siding, cordless phones, televisions and microwaves can all interfere with wireless network signals.

Generally, a wireless device transmits up to 120 feet indoors or 250 feet outdoors. MIMO wireless network routers promise much longer ranges. When a MIMO router is used with a MIMO enabled wireless card for your computer, MIMO technology boasts ranges up to 1,000 feet. MIMO technology also makes wireless network signals more secure and less prone to interference. If you want to establish a wireless network for a multistory house or large area, look for 802.11g Enhanced or MIMO technology. Keep in mind that if your wireless network extends beyond your house, it is vulnerable to attacks and security breaches.

Keeping a Wireless Network Safe
Whether you're concerned about neighbors illegally tapping into your Internet connection and reducing your bandwidth or the more serious dangers of identity theft, wireless security should be a key consideration in your wireless network setup. All wireless network routers now contain a variety of security options, but for maximum protection, look for a router that offers WPA2 encryption, MAC address filtering, static IP designation and firewall functionality. Use every security feature. The time you spend setting up these features saves the headache of compromised data or a hacked computer.

Each router uses different methods of accessing and configuring the security settings, so you'll need to consult your manual to set everything up. The easiest way to configure a wireless router is by using a wired connection to the router to access the router's control panel. As a general rule of thumb, make sure you do all of the following:

• Change the router username, password and network name. Default usernames and passwords are a signal to hackers that your network is wide open and vulnerable. Set it to something only you will know and avoid obvious passwords such as the name of a family member or pet.
• Enable WPA2 encryption. Wi-Fi Protected Access is the security standard designed to replace the outdated WEP, or Wired Equivalency Privacy standard. Outside computers will not be able to connect to your network without the designated key.
• Set up MAC address filtering throughout your wireless network. You will need to enter the physical or MAC address from each of your wireless devices into your wireless control panel. These numbers are either found on a sticker or engraving physically located on the device, or in the case of some gaming systems, in a control panel accessed on-screen through the device.
• Establish static IP addresses for each device on your wireless network. Set up a range of static IP addresses on your router control panel, and then manually enter the IP address on each component. Using static, private IP addresses will protect your individual computers on the network from being accessed by outside users and reduce their vulnerability to data theft.
• Enable the firewall on the router and on every device connected to the wireless network. The router firewall is useless if a user accesses your computer directly, so it's important to enable those firewalls, too. This may require additional tweaking to enable full Internet connection functionality, but a Web search for specific issues should turn up easy-to-follow instructions to enable a specific port or device to get through the firewall.