Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network - Part 1 Choose Your Hardware Aaron Weiss
Step 5: Choose Your Hardware
It takes two to tango, not only on the dance floor, but with your wireless network. Any wireless network is comprised of at least two devices: a wireless access point, which transmits the signal, and a client (your portable or other computer), which receives the signal.
5a. Wireless Access Point
The wireless access point transmits the networking data your computers will receive. These days, most wireless access points are actually built into "wireless broadband routers," devices that let you share a high-speed Internet connection among several computers and provide security defense. Readily available at major electronics retailers, you can easily identify a broadband router with a wireless access point because it has at least one antenna, although some have two or more.
Some broadband providers, such as Verizon, may include a wireless router with your service — so you might already have one. If not, current prices for routers with wireless access points range from as low as $25 to as high as several hundred depending on features, particularly the big three: speed, range, and security.
5b. Wireless Client
The wireless client is hardware, which “sees” the wireless networking data being transmitted by your access point. Most new portable computers include wireless client hardware already built-in. If you have an older portable computer without wireless support, or a desktop PC, you can add wireless client hardware. You have three choices:
A wireless card (for portable computers). Wireless cards look like credit cards, but slightly larger, often with a bump on one end. These slide into one of the card slots often found on the side of your portable computer.
A USB peripheral. USB wireless clients come in a few shapes and sizes. One is a small box with a cable that plugs into one of your USB ports. Another is a “stick” shape which simply protrudes from a USB port. You can use a USB wireless client with most portable or desktop PCs. Portable computer owners often prefer wireless cards instead because they slip almost completely into the machine. For desktop PCs, a USB wireless client is the easiest solution to install.
A PCI card (for desktop PCs). A PCI wireless client is a circuit board that is installed inside your desktop PC. It will probably have a small antenna that sticks up outside your PC case. Some PC owners prefer a PCI wireless client for its “cleaner” installed look, and a wider range of models with different price/feature points than USB devices. However, installing a PCI card requires some work inside the PC case or else paying extra and hauling your PC to the electronics store.
For maximum performance you should choose a wireless router and client that support the same technologies. For example, if you want a “g” network, both devices must support the “g” standard. If you want special non-standard features such as support for 108 or 300Mbps speed and MIMO extended range, consider buying all wireless hardware from the same manufacturer.
In our next installment, we'll set up your new wireless equipment, configure as needed, and fire it up!
The wireless access point transmits the networking data your computers will receive. These days, most wireless access points are actually built into "wireless broadband routers," devices that let you share a high-speed Internet connection among several computers and provide security defense. Readily available at major electronics retailers, you can easily identify a broadband router with a wireless access point because it has at least one antenna, although some have two or more.
