About wifi connection set up

About wifi connection set up

Hi Shams,

Having a wireless network at home is no longer considered a luxury but a necessity. Almost majority of home networks run on wireless because of its simplicity. Having to span a multitude of devices being able to communicate via this protocol is ingenious. Now let’s examine the things to consider when trying to set-up a wireless network for the first time.

Visualize the place where you plan to locate the wireless router after you purchase it. Make sure you locate the device in an area where signal coverage will be sufficient for those intending to connect, so no matter where they are located in the house, they will still have nice wireless signal connection ratios. Avoid placing the wireless router in corners, where half of the signal will be wasted.

Pick out a wireless router with the following options and features:

• Make sure the wireless router’s antenna is the upgradeable type in case you need expansion in terms of wireless signals.
• Pick out the wireless router with the best specifications, high gain, bigger coverage area, and additional security features.
• Choose a well-known wireless router manufacturer in case you have to avail yourself of technical support, or would need trusted firmware upgrades.
• A wireless router with multi-channel support is a good buy, considering that you can change channels to transmit your wireless signal in case of interference.
• A Wireless-N router is the latest and offers more enhancements in speed and reliability so you may have to consider that as well.

After you’ve bought the router of choice, now is the time to unpack and install it. Place it first in its intended location which should be close to the DSL or Broadband modem. Get a CAT 5 cable and plug it from the modem to the wireless router’s WAN port at the back. Now power-up the wireless router. Follow the instructions that came with the box, including software that may be necessary for it to operate.

Configure the wireless router via its “Webmin” GUI configuration page that allows you to set various settings and options. It normally has a one click setup wizard for beginners that prompts you from initial setup up to completion. Follow the guide if unsure on how to proceed. You can make other changes later when you are more familiar with the administrators interface for managing the wireless router. A sample configuration page here trains you on the various typical wireless router settings available to the user http://support.dlink.com/emulators/wbr2310/index.htm .

Don’t forget to include a wireless security method to keep your wireless network safe from outside intruders by choosing either WEP, WPA, or WPA-2. A known effective way to secure the network is via MAC address filtering which defines a select group of users able to connect with the following MAC addresses. Any other user attempting to connect, and whose MAC address is not on the list will not be allowed access.

• And lastly, make sure you lock the GUI page with an administrator password that is unique and difficult to access. Many admins forget this part and choose the defaults which are easy to access illegally.
• Putting all the above in mind, you will now finally be able to enjoy your first wireless network at home. Internet surfing, online gaming, printer and file sharing will now be possible from a wireless standpoint.