Wireless Connection On Windows Vista And Windows 7

A growing number of people use laptops, notebooksnetwork dialog box.
and netbooks instead of desktop PCs. As a result of2. The list of available networks will depend on the
this trend, lots of wireless networks appear every daytypes of wireless networks detected, such as
and more people use them on a regular basis.infrastructure mode or ad hoc mode networks. If you
Windows 7 might not be very suited for netbooks butdo not see your network in the list, or if no networks
it works perfectly well on all other types of mobilecan be found, Vista displays Windows cannot find any
PCs. Also, it offers all you need to connect to wirelessnetworks, then your Wi-Fi router may be set for
networks effortlessly.non-broadcast mode. If this is the case, select Setup a
Once you have identified the hardware needed likeconnection or network.
Hi-Fi Wireless networking card, and Wireless Router/3. On the Choose a connection option page, six
Access Point you are almost ready to connect to theoptions are available. Select the Manually connect to a
network. If you are using a laptop which comes withwireless network option, then click Next.
an in-built wireless card, it may have a special function4. Follow the Set-Up Wizard.
key or a button mostly in the front of the laptop to turnIn the Enter information for the wireless network you
it on and off.want to add … page, configure the following using the
Of all the Windows Operating Systems that haveabove information you obtain from your wireless
been released, setting up a wireless network in Vistanetwork or access point:
or Windows 7 is much more intuitive to manage. VistaA) Network name (SSID)
or Win 7 includes many improvements for connectingB) Security type (used to authenticate a connection to
to wireless networks starting with support fora wireless network). Choices are dependent on the
non-broadcasting wireless networks and new dialogcapabilities of your wireless network adapter:
boxes to easily configure connections to wireless•    No authentication (Open) Open system
networks.authentication with no encryption
This following guide will step you through setting up and•    WEP Open system authentication with
connecting to a wireless network on Vista and getWired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
you on your way to surfing the Net.•    WPA-Personal Wi-Fi Protected Access
Two methods exist for setting up a wireless(WPA) with a preshared key (also known as a
connection on Vista/Win 7. This guide assumes yourpassphrase)
Wi-Fi router or access point is already setup and•    WPA-Enterprise WPA with IEEE 802.1X
running on the Network and your PC or Laptopauthentication
wireless card has been installed.•    WPA2-Personal WPA2 with a preshared
Before you can get started with setting up a Wi-Fikey
connection, the following information will be needed•    WPA2-Enterprise WPA with IEEE 802.1X
from your wireless router or access point:authentication
•    Wireless Network Name (SSID)•    802.1x IEEE 802.1X authentication with WEP
•    Security Mode or Type (WEP, WPA,(also known as dynamic WEP)
WPA2, etc…)NOTE: The shared key authentication method is not
•    Encryption Type if using WPA or WPA2listed. Microsoft strongly discourages its use since it
(AES, TKIP)provides weak security for your wireless network. To
•    Security Key or PassPhraseconfigure shared key authentication, select No
Automatic Setup For Wireless Connectionauthentication (Open) below in step C.
1. Click on the Start button and select Connect ToC) Encryption Type (enabled if using WPA or WPA2,
from the menu on the right to display the Connect to aselect either AES or TKIP).
network dialog box.•    When the No authentication (Open) security
2. The list of available networks will depend on thetype is selected, None is selected.
types of wireless networks detected, such as•    When the WEP security type is selected,
infrastructure mode or ad hoc mode networks. If youWEP is selected.
see the name of your Network, double click it to•    When the WPA-Personal, WPA-Enterprise,
proceed to the next screen. If you see otherWPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise security type is
Networks in the list, they are probably yourselected, choose either TKIP or AES
neighbors…hopefully they are all secured just like•    When the WEP (802.1x) security type is
yours!selected, WEP is selected.
3. Enter Security Key or PassPhrase (from theD) Security Key/Passphrase (check Display
information found from your router or access point).Characters to view characters/numbers being typed)
Check Display Characters to view charactersE) Check Start this connection automatically (tells Vista
numbers being typed. Click Connect.to automatically connect to this wireless network)
4. At the next screen, Vista will attempt to connect toF) Check Connect even if this network is not
your wireless router or access point. Once thebroadcasting
connection is established, you will be prompted to saveClick Next
your connection by checking the Save this network5. At the next screen click on Connect to…
and Start this connection automatically boxes.You should see your connection in the System Tray
Click Close. You will now be connected to the wireless(double monitor icon). When you mouse over the
network.connection, it will display your current connection. Right
Manually Setup A Wireless Connectionclicking the connection and selecting properties will
1. Click on the Start button and select Connect Toallow you to select different options such as the
from the menu on the right to display the Connect to aNetwork and Sharing Center.