Page 1 of I Can`t Believe It... I Did It! (Wireless Connection by DavidBrent)

Well, guys (and gals). I did it. I finally did it...

I created a wireless network and I am now sharing 2 computers and 1 laptop onto one internet connection! I just wanted to post to say thank you for the advice and encouragment that fellow posters gave in the past but I was too lazy to act upon!


Wireless Connections
by davidbrent



1. WHY NETWORK?
Why network? Well, I would not even have considered networking until I realised that in order for 2 or more computers in my house to use Broadband at the same time I had 2 options:
i) pay for an extra line (like I said we are a house of 3 students so this was not an option!)
ii) create a network

2. WHICH NETWORK?
I then started reading forums and realised that there are two types of networks a wired network and a wireless network.
i) Wired Networks use a wire (an Ethernet cable) to connect one computer from another. I have to say when I first heard the term ethernet I thought there is no way I`ll be able to create a network afterall I don`t even know where I`d put the damn thing! But, thanks to some users at this forum they eased my fears. Where is the ethernet socket? Well, look at the back of your PC/ side of your laptop and it is like a larger version of a phone socket. Easiest way to understand is to get yourself an ethernet cable (which hopefully you will get once you seriously consider a wireless network)
ii) Wireless Networks are amazing. Now that I have configured two I have to say they really show-off the capabilities of technology. You connect the router to your modem and connect a Wireless Adapter to the other PC. And, the two (Adapter and Router) communicate with one another.

3. WHAT DOES A WIRELESS NETWORK ENTAIL?
There are no disadvantages to wired networking and don`t let anyone tell you differently because wired network has plenty of advantages (cost being one of them!) but wireless networking was more practical for us (we didn`t want wires running out of our ears!).
i)Router
I also knew that there were alot of routers (router is just a fancy name given to the piece of kit that is responsible for networking your computers. Don`t be put off by the networking terminolgy - embrace it) that had a built in modem within them. Because I had broadband I was looking specifically for a router with a built in ADSL modem and USB Adapters.
ii)Wireless Adapters
These can either be internal or external
Internal are cheaper but require you to open your PC (not an option for me :/ )
External are more expensive but are USB configured (Woo Hoo! :x )

I decided to go all out and bought the Netgear DG34... and the WG111 wireless adapter. A tip: If you buy from amazon.co.uk they chuck the adapter in for free!
However, in the end I went with my good friend ebuyer and bought their modem and two wireless adapters.

Getting started on a wireless connection...

4. WHY BUY A SPARE MODEM?

One of the reasons that I took so long to set up a wireless connection is the price of it not working and being without the internet would have proved a lot more expensive (we are a house of three students! Hotmail is our life :B
My suggestion - get a spare modem.
Why?

i) This way if you decide to give up half way through the day (a possibility) you can always go back to your trusty old modem.
ii)When troubleshooting you can check whether the problem is the modem or the router by swapping it around.
iii) Perhaps the most important, if you do encounter any problems then the computer connected to the router may be out of comission for internet but you can have another computer connected to the internet to visit the infamous DVD Reviewer forums :D

5. METHOD OF MY MADNESS
I would suggest the following if you have time and do not want to miss any trick that the networking task may throw at you:
i) Configure Internet on Both
ii) Configure The Router on Both
iii) Configure Wireless Adapter on both
iv) Finally Network
v) Cross Fingers and Pray ;)


I am not sure how useful the above info was but if it helps jus one person then I`m happy with that. Apologies for the `idiot`s guide approach`. Any suggestions made are just from my experience and you are more than free to ignore them. All the best and have a good weekend. Thanks again to all those users who encouraged me early on. Much appreciated! :)

now you didn`t forget to set the WEP up for it did you? 128bit encryption is the one to go for.