Plug Into Wi-Fi and Go Wireless

Have you ever thought of setting-up a Wi-Fi network (called a WLAN) in your home. In business offices, Wi-Fi technology has gained acceptance as a worthwhile alternative to wired LAN's (local area networks). This is mostly because wireless networks are more convenient. Many households have also turned to wireless technology because it makes life easier.

There is no question that Wi-Fi has brought about a certain sense of liberation from wire hell for many businesses and families alike. People are turning to Wi-Fi for a variety of other reasons as well.

The Most Common Reason

Want to share Internet access easily around your home? Well, with Wi-Fi each family member can use a computer and immediately surf the Net at the same time and from anywhere around the house. All they have to do is to simply turn on their computers. There are no modems or wire connections to worry about.

When I say anywhere around your house, that includes the outside. With multi-hotspot setup, you can surf the Net from the front porch, the backyard, the garage, or anywhere within range.

Not only that, but each family member can fell free to walk around the house with their laptops connected to the Internet, with no problem. Wi-Fi allows freedom of mobility.

Other Reasons

Like music? If you want, you can have music streaming from the Internet into whatever rooms you wish; and that includes that expensive stereo in the living room. To do this, simply use a "Squeezebox" and you will be able to stream any audio format your computer can play.

Forget to update the schedule calendar in your PDA? You could even be in your car and you could still download schedule changes from your home office computer. You simply have to set it up for it to work.

With a wireless network, the PC and PDA are not the only boys on the block. A home network can include consumer electronics, game consoles, home security monitoring, and interior climate control (heating and air conditioning systems).

Away From Home

One of the advantages of a wireless-capable laptop is the ability to easily access the Internet even while away from the home network. While at school, work, or during a trip far from home, Wi-Fi is now accessible at wireless access points, called a hotspots, in cafe's, restaurants, airports, motel and hotel rooms around the world.

How Do You Install a Wireless Network?

You can easily do it yourself. There's usually no need to hire a technician. A wireless network can usually be installed quickly without special skills. You do need to be able to follow instructions and be willing to work with slightly techie concepts. However, instructions that come with wireless hardware from all major manufacturers are always very clear and easy to follow.

Carefully follow instructions to setup the key component, the wireless router (which is a combination base station access point and router), and you're home free. You plug this into your cable or DSL modem. Recent versions of Windows and Macintosh operating systems will do most of the rest.

A wireless router will cost about $65. The main manufacturers are D-Link, Microsoft, Macintosh, Buffalo, Linksys, and NetGear.

If your laptop isn't wireless, that's no big deal. Just add a Card Radio (under $50). If your computer isn't wireless, you can either install a card or plug an adapter into a USB port. This will, of course, use up a USB port, so you may wish to install a card instead. Both are simple to do.

Wireless routers come with standard Ethernet ports (usually four). Nearby hardware, such as game consoles and printers, can be plugged into these ports. Hardware items that are too far away, or if you run out of ports, you can simply add on an adopter to each hardware item. Of course, you must check manufacturer's specifications for compatibility.

What Are Wireless Standards?

While many people assume that Wi-Fi is associated only with IEEE specification standard 802.11b, that's not really the case. Wi-Fi uses any IEEE specification standard, including 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and the new 802.11g.

Each standard has its own speed and unique compatibility features. While any standard will work, 802.11g works interchangeably with 802.11b gear. However, the bugs in early 802.11b hardware seem to have been worked out. So, most of the time, purchasing hardware with 802.11b should not cause a problem. Note that 802.11g hardware does tend to be more expensive.

802.11a is different. It runs at a different radio frequency, so 802.11a hardware is not compatible with hardware using any other standard. Unless you already have computers that are 802.11a, simply avoid it. It's not seen much in new home equipment.

What is the Range of a Wi-Fi Network?

Range is highly variable. Indoors, up to 300 feet is possible. Although 100 feet is more practical even with no obstacles (walls). Variables include construction materials of the house, and the design of the radio and antenna. Most medium-size house interiors will be served well with only one centrally-located hotspot (access point).

If you want exterior access, or if you live in a large house, or a house made with masonry, concrete, or wet plaster, more then one hotspot will likely be required for full coverage. Unfortunately, setup becomes complicated when you have more than one hotspot. Professional help will be required.

Security Issues

Because wireless networks transmit over the air, interception can take place. Like a computer, wireless technology needs to be secured. Without adequate protection, any Wi-Fi network is susceptible to access intruders and assorted unauthorized users.

The first thing to do is to give your network a name. If you leave the system with its default name (linksys or WLAN), access to your network will be very easy. At the very minimum, it could be as harmless as someone using your network as a free Internet connection.

Unfortunately, without good security measures, it's possible for any Wi-Fi network to experience data theft, sabotage, or other serious misadventures. As a basic precaution, all Wi-Fi networks should be protected with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which provides a reasonably strong data encryption. The older Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is much weaker and should be avoided. WPA is, when used, a good deterrent. WPA comes with your gear. I strongly recommend you enable it and use it on a regular basis.

Should you communicate with your company network from your home network, WPA will not be enough. To secure distant computer access, a virtual private network should be set up. It's a software product that must be installed. While it is a bother, it serves as an added layer of protection that makes intrusion more difficult.

Bluetooth technology

Don't confuse Wi-Fi with Bluetooth technology. While Wi-Fi is high-frequency and capable of transmitting up to 2,000 feet outdoors (100 - 300 feet indoors), Bluetooth technology is low-frequency and is more closely associated with a very important added feature on higher-grade PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants). Namely, to wirelessly synchronize a PDA scheduling calendar with that in an office computers.

Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet and is considered by some as more secure because of the more "controllable" distance. However, this shorter distance is more restrictive than Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth cannot be used to create a wireless local area network (WLAN).

For a large area such as a home or building, only Wi-Fi can create a wireless environment with multiple access and without distance restrictions.

Wi-Fi is the only way to go for a home or business wireless network.

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