The PC Primer: Networking, Wireless networking

Wireless networking.

Wireless networking is the easist form of networking for the home user, and assuming that you already have the broadband connection, a new PC can be connected in minuets.

A fully wireless network, probably the best solution for the 'minimalist' who dosen't want cables everywhere, however some (me) would argue that it's not as secure as a cabled network.

The Hardware.

While it's fair to say that all new laptops come with inbuilt wireless connectivity, while all new PCs now come with an inbuilt network card, it's unlikely that a PC comes with a Wireless NIC, so you have a choice of how to provide a wireless connection. will have to add one to each PC on a wireless network.

You may have an older laptop, it's almost certainly got PCMCIA sockets on the side, so a PCMCIA network card would be the ideal solution. It has advantages over the USB WiFi adaptor (following) in so far as you cannot loose it.

The USB WiFi adaptor. The easiest of all, will plug into a USB port on both Laptops and PCs. their greatest dissadvantage is that they are vulnerable to damage, as you move the laptop around. Loss if it drops out, or you forget which pocket/suit/briefcase you left it in. They are while convienient, the cowards way out! (so there!) (nah!)

The Router, available from a number of makers. They usually come with both 'wired' ports an WiFi and will do both at the same time.

Connecting it usually only involves powering down the cable modem, plugging a UTP lead (supplied with the router) between the modem and router and powering both devices up.

The back of a typical router,comes with both 4 'wired' ports and a WiFi aerial. The single UTP port is where the modem is connected.

Legal Stuff.

One thing you must consider when setting up your wireless router is that most countries only allow you to transmit a signal on specific wavelengths and if you don't set the router up correctly you may interfere with vital emergency wavelengths.

Alongside we see a typical wireless setup screen. The SSID is the name you give to your network (tokanoma is a Japanese display alcove), but below we usually have a drop down options list, with in my case 'Europe' highlighted., ensuring that the broadcast channels conform to EU standards.

An SSID is a network name given by the network owner that identifies a wireless network.

It's an acronym for Service Set IDentifier. in the section on TCP/IP we how packets are used to distribute data across the network, each packet having a header, containing the destination address. The SSID is transmitted as a 32-character identifier attached to the header of packets sent over the Wireless LAN .

Wireless channels.

By international agreement there is a standard for 'WiFi' and 13 channels are allocated, however each country, or group like the EU decide on the number of channels available to users in their region. In the USA only channels 1 to 11 are used, the EU uses 1-13. As we saw in the 'Legal stuff' section above you are legally obliged to set up your transmitter correctly.

Now imagine a scenario where you and two neighbours have WiFi, each set to the same channel. This can 'swamp' each other, or cause your PC to try to connect to the net via another users router, from which access is denied.

When setting up your WiFi network try to select a channel that dosn't clash with anyone near you.

Security

Wireless networking is almost certainly the least secure form of networking, as at least with a cabled network, a 'hacker' needs a physical connection. A laptop with a wireless card, sited within range of your home/office is all they will need if you are not prepared.