| 1. Essential Equipment
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| | Set Identifier (SSID). When connecting
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| Right, let's move right along. The first
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| | devices to the network, this is the name
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| thing to do in setting up a wireless home
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| | you use to specify which network you're
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| network is to get the correct equipment.
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| | connecting to. Make sure you set up this
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| These are the things you need:Wireless
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| | parameter using the router setup page or
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| home networking kit
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| | utility.4. Encrypt Your Wireless Network
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| This is your basic equipment for the
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| | Remember an intruder can easily gain
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| network. Typically, these home networking
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| | access to an unencrypted network without
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| kits come with a firewalled wireless
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| | too much trouble. Wireless networks these
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| router (e.g. the immensely popular
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| | days usually use the WEP standard to set
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| Linksys WRT54G). Some also bundle a
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| | up encryption. To configure this, go to
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| wireless PC card for connecting laptops
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| | your router setup page or utility and
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| to the network, or a wireless USB adapter
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| | enter the WEP security key (usually its a
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| for connecting desktop PCs.Windows
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| | 128 bit hexdecimal text entry you need to
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| installation CDs
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| | key in).Note this WEP key down. Now, go
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| These are required sometimes during
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| | to each PC in your network. Open up the
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| installation of drivers, so its handy to
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| | Control Panel -> Network Connections and
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| have them around first.Ethernet cables
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| | select your wireless network connection.
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| These are required if you intend to mix
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| | You need to enter the WEP key for the
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| wired PCs into a wireless network. For
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| | connection - the manufacturer's should
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| example, you can connect an Ethernet
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| | have instructions on how to do this.5.
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| cable between the wireless router and a
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| | Sharing the Printer
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| desktop PC.2. Install the Wireless Router
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| | If you intend to share a printer (say
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| Install the wireless router according to
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| | from your desktop), then go to your
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| the manufacturer's instructions. Modern
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| | desktop, go to Control Panel and select
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| wireless home networking kits make this
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| | Printers. Right-click your printer icon,
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| really easy. Just connect the wireless
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| | and choose Properties. If there's a
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| router to power supply, connect the
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| | Shared tab in the dialog box that
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| wireless PC card to your laptop, or USB
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| | appears, click the tab and make sure the
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| adapter (or Ethernet cable) to the
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| | share option is selected.Conclusion
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| desktop PC. Then insert the installation
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| | Guess what? That's it! Setting up a
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| CD into one PC and start the software
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| | wireless network is as simple as that.
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| installation process.As part of the setup
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| | You can now easily check email, share
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| process, you usually need to surf to a
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| | files, or print documents from the
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| local IP address, e.g. 192.168.0.1 to
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| | comfort of your living room, garage or
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| setup basic parameters for the router.
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| | front porch! So what are you waiting for?
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| Most of the options can be left as
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| | Get busy and set up that wireless network
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| default, with the exception of SSID
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| | now!Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on
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| (Service Set Identifier) and encryption
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| | building computers. Visit his website at
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| settings, which are explained below.3.
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| | for tips and tricks on assembling a PC,
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| Choose the Service Set Identifier
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| | as well as buying good computer
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| Wireless networks require a network
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| | components.
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| identification code called the Service
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|
