Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network - Part 2 Going Wireless Aaron Weiss
Step 8: Going Wireless
Figure 9.
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With the above configurations saved you're now ready to put the "wireless" in "wireless network." Choose the computer you will use to make the wireless connection. If you'll use the same computer you've been using to configure your router with the temporary Ethernet cable, remove that cable now.
If your portable computer is a newer model and includes built-in wireless support, be sure its wireless feature is switched on. On some portable models there is a switch on one side; on other models you enable wireless with a keyboard combination — check your user manual.
If you've added wireless hardware to a portable computer or a desktop PC, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the appropriate drivers and software. This process varies widely from model to model.
Figure 10.
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Both Mac OS X and Windows XP include built-in software for connecting your wireless computer to the wireless network. Windows users may also have installed software provided by the vendor of your wireless hardware that can be used instead of Windows' included software.
8a. Users of Mac OS X enjoy the easiest wireless connection process. Simply click the wireless icon at the top right of your screen and the drop down menu displays a list of available wireless networks. Choose one to join it. If you've secured your wireless network in Step 7, it will show a small lock beside its name, and the Mac will prompt you for the password key you created on the wireless router. (See Figure 9.)
8b. Windows users will see a wireless system icon in the lower right of the screen. You can right-click this icon to pop open a menu from which you select "View Available Wireless Networks." (See Figure 10.)
Figure 11.
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Windows will open a summary showing the wireless network you created on your router — as well as any other wireless networks your hardware sees in the vicinity!
In Figure 11, Windows sees the one wireless network transmitted from our router. As indicated, it is protected with WPA security.
Click the "Connect" button and Windows will prompt for the password key you created in Step 7.
If you are using your wireless hardware vendor's software rather than Windows', it may look different — for example, Netgear supplies its own connection software with some models. In Figure 12, we use Netgear's wireless connection software to connect to a 128-bit WEP-protected network.
Whatever wireless connection software you use, the end result should be the same: You're connected!
Figure 12.
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You should now be able to access the Internet if your router is connected to broadband and share resources among your computers the same as on a wired network.
Your wireless network will perform best with a strong signal. Ideally, find a location for your wireless router that is far from dense obstructions. Where possible, locating your wireless router in a higher location (such as a second story) is preferred to a low location like a basement.
In part three we'll take a closer look at fine-tuning your wireless network performance and troubleshooting connection problems.
