Home Wireless Networks

Home/small business Wireless networks uses the same wireless technology (Wi-Fi ) that is used for accessing the Internet when you are in airports, train stations etc.

To use Wi-Fi you require a wireless access point and a Wi-Fi equipped computer/device.

Wireless (WI-FI) is available on almost all new laptops and PDAs, and if not present it can be added by simply inserting a USB WI-FI adapter or network card.

Computers communicate with each other, and the Internet over Wi-Fi by connecting to a Wireless Access point (WAP).

In small home networks the WAP is usually part of the broadband router. However in larger networks they are discreet units.

The area covered by the Access Point is often know as the hotspot. For today's technology the coverage area is :

802.11g standard (most common), range indoors is approx 40 meters. However the range and data throughput varies considerably depending on the surrounding environment.
802.11n -It offers greater data throughput( 256Mbit/s) and increased range (70m) over the existing 802.11g (54Mbit/s and 40m).

You should note that 802.11g devices can be used with 802.11n devices but will operate at the lower speed and shorter range.

Wireless Internet Router

This is the most common method, as most ISPs offer a wireless router as part of the Internet package.

This router then serves as your home network provider and internet access as shown in the network diagram below.

Wireless internet connection using DSL router-1

The wireless router effectively is a router and Wireless Access point in one box. There are two parts to the setup:

Wireless Access Point

Older networks often used a separate Wireless network access point connected into a hub/switch as shown in the network diagram below.

Wireless internet connection using DSL router-2

Setup and Configuration

There are two parts of the setup/configuration to get wireless working. You will need to configure the Wireless Access Point/Router. The configuration of both devices is similar with the main setting and the most confusing being the implementation of security.

If security is enabled at the WAP/Router then it also needs to be configured on each device that connects. This is not really problem if those devices are fixed (i.e. same devices connect regularly).

However if there is are a lot of new devices that need to connect then it is usual to setup the network without security. See How to Setup A Secure Wireless Network for more details.

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