Creating up a wireless network...
The full, extended, revised and revived guide to wireless networks for both geniuses
and dummies.

VERY IMPORTANT! If you knowledge of computers, networking, and hardware isnt good. I recommend that you buy products only from a seller that is going to help you out and in a extreme case accept a return. If your item is refurbished, the manufacterer will not provide technical support!
When in doubt, email the seller before purchasing,

*Note: I have decided to chop this up into 3 guides, This one being the introduction of wireless products, with the second guide being purchasing and the 3rd guide the actual setting up and installing*

It seems like an extremely hard, impossible, time
consuming, expensive and unnecessary job. In fact it’s quite easy, cheap and
valuable. I’ll start from the basics and work my way thru

Beginning with windows XP and the B version of wireless
networks. They have become not only reliable, but the standard of most networks.
Windows XP service pack 2 (sp2) and the introduction of the G version, a few
years ago. Has made wireless networks way more advanced and easy to use.

Nowadays a wireless network will cost about 30-75$ to buy
and 10-30 minutes to setup. Connecting is all automatic if using windows XP
service pack 2. I will explain what purchases are needed, how much to pay for
them, how to set them up and get the network running smoothly

Why do I want wireless?
The advantages of going wireless are many! Say for instance
the modem (and router / hub) are in the living room next to your desktop. If
you have a laptop and want to use it in your office, bedroom, porch, backyard or
even on the couch. You will be required to get long Ethernet cords and string
them across the house in an often time consuming and haphazard setup. Not to
mention if you want to use it on a 2nd or 3rd floor of
your house.

Additionally, you may have 1 or more desktop’s in other
rooms or would like to place them, but don’t want to drag an Ethernet cable
across the house. If you have more then one floor, wiring your house with
Ethernet cables may be very expensive.

You may have a handheld computer (PDA) that has wireless
built in and can access the network. Or you may have a gaming console (Xbox,
play station 2, PSP etc... that can hook up to a network wirelessly. If you have
a TIVO device hooked up to you TV you can plug a wireless USB adapter into the
back and connect it to your wireless network and access it from your computer.

What is best for me?
Now that we have established the need for a wireless
network, we will discuss what YOU need to get your network running. First and
foremost you need a wireless router / access point. Most newer laptops have
built in wireless, and a desktop can use either a USB or PCI adapter as I will
explain.

Router / Access point.

You’ve seen the 2 but can’t seem to figure out the
difference, years ago neither could I. If you have DSL / Cable the chances are
you will have a modem which goes from your phone line and to your computer. In
this case you will need a Router which you will connect to the modem and then
plug into the computer (It has 4 ports (plugs) so you can connect more then one
computer wired) It will then broadcast your internet, allowing you to wirelessly
connect as many devices as you want.

If you previously have a wired router setup, you can
purchase just a wireless access point which is usually cheaper then a router and
also allows you to keep your existing router in place.

PCI / USB. - Desktop.

Each has its pro’s and con’s. A PCI adapter is an internal
card that you plug into the motherboard. While generally better, faster, and
more reliable. Opening your computer up is not always a fun task for everyone
and may not be something you know how to do.

In which case you can go with a USB adapter, these are
small plugs or larger adapters with antennas that you plug into your USB port
and save you from having to open your computer up. Additionally if needed you
can just swap the adapter for use on another desktop and even your laptop. You
plug the USB plug into your USB port and it will connect to your wireless
router.

PCMCIA / USB / PCI. - Laptop
As with the desktop you have the options of either going
internal or external, however it’s much different with a Laptop. As I mentioned
earlier, most laptops these days come with internal wireless. If however you
have an older laptop or yours did not come with one, you have a few options.

The most common and recommended form is a PCMCIA card which
you plug into your PCMCIA port (located on the side of your laptop) You simply
push the card into the slot and when you want to carry your laptop etc.. You
press the eject button and the card pops out.

However there are those (myself included) who do not have a
working PCMCIA slot. If your slot breaks, sometimes the only way to fix it is by
replacing the motherboard. So in that case you will want to use a USB adapter.
They are small tiny adapters (the size of a pack of gum) that you attach to a
USB cord and connect to your USB port.

The 3rd form is PCI which like the desktop is
internal, while much more convenient eliminates the need to plug cards and
cables in and worrying about them breaking or getting lost. It is also a lot
more difficult to install as a laptop is more complicated then a desktop. If you
do choose to go with this, I recommend you bring it to a computer technician.

TIVO.
If you have a TIVO system that you want to connect to your
network, you have a few options. You can go wired and purchase the Netgear
FA120, but as mentioned before, wires are very tedious and inconviant. Netgear
makes 2 models (that I know of) that are TIVO compatible. The MA111 802.11b 11mb
version 1 And the WG111 802.11g 54mb version 1 I recommend getting a Netgear
router to connect these if you don’t already have a router.

Desktop / Laptop - Wired adapters...
Most wireless routers include 4 ports; these are slots were
you can plug Ethernet cables to and connect your desktop / laptop to the route.
It has some advantages; say you don’t need wireless on a particular laptop /
desktop and don’t want to spend the extra money. In that case you would need a
LAN PCI card for desktops, as mentioned earlier these are the cards you plug
inside the computer into the motherboard. Most desktops include these cards but
they do break etc... You can also purchase a USB – Ethernet adapter for use on
both desktop’s and laptops. Also for laptop’s you can use an Ethernet PCMCIA
card that has an adapter inside or a cheaper card with a dongle. It has a cord
that plugs in but is delicate so I don’t recommend them.