Set up a wireless network
Set up a wireless router
A wireless network lets you and others in your household connect to the Internet from any room in the house. A wireless router is the heart of a wireless network. Setup procedures for wireless routers vary from product to product, but they're generally similar. Most routers will work with a cable or DSL connection.
The first step is to connect the router to a computer so that you can configure the router with the necessary Internet settings. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your computer's Ethernet port.
Next, plug the other end into a LAN port on the router, which may be numbered or specially color coded. In most cases, your router will automatically give your laptop the information it needs for the two devices to communicate.
To access your router's configuration tool, find the router's default IP address in the product manual and type it into your Web browser's address bar. If you use DSL, many Internet service providers require you to supply a username and password via a method called PPPoE, or Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet. Most routers provide a configuration screen for selecting PPPoE and adding your login information.
Once you've configured your router with the information for your ISP, you're ready to connect the router to your modem. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the WAN port on your router, which may be specially color coded. Plug the other end into the Ethernet port on your modem. Check the status lights on the front of the router to make sure the necessary ports and interfaces are active. Use a browser from your connected laptop to see if your Internet connection is working properly.
Connect a desktop or notebook PC
Once you have set up your wireless router, you'll need to install a wireless adapter on your computer, in order to connect to your new wireless network.
If you want to add wireless to your desktop computer, you'll likely have the choice of adding that functionality through either USB ports or internal PCI slots. USB adapters are easier to add and remove, but PCI adapters allow you to hide the hardware inside your computer's case. Some internal PCI adapters let you place the antenna on top of the computer or on your desk, where you may get better reception.
Many laptop computers come with integrated wireless adapters. If yours doesn't, adding a wireless adapter is easy. You can either connect one through a USB port or a PC Card slot on your laptop. Both USB and PC Card adapters can be easily added and removed.
Once you've installed your adapter, it should automatically connect to your wireless router.
Set up a wireless router
A wireless network lets you and others in your household connect to the Internet from any room in the house. A wireless router is the heart of a wireless network. Setup procedures for wireless routers vary from product to product, but they're generally similar. Most routers will work with a cable or DSL connection.
The first step is to connect the router to a computer so that you can configure the router with the necessary Internet settings. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your computer's Ethernet port.
Next, plug the other end into a LAN port on the router, which may be numbered or specially color coded. In most cases, your router will automatically give your laptop the information it needs for the two devices to communicate.
To access your router's configuration tool, find the router's default IP address in the product manual and type it into your Web browser's address bar. If you use DSL, many Internet service providers require you to supply a username and password via a method called PPPoE, or Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet. Most routers provide a configuration screen for selecting PPPoE and adding your login information.
Once you've configured your router with the information for your ISP, you're ready to connect the router to your modem. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the WAN port on your router, which may be specially color coded. Plug the other end into the Ethernet port on your modem. Check the status lights on the front of the router to make sure the necessary ports and interfaces are active. Use a browser from your connected laptop to see if your Internet connection is working properly.
Connect a desktop or notebook PC
Once you have set up your wireless router, you'll need to install a wireless adapter on your computer, in order to connect to your new wireless network.
If you want to add wireless to your desktop computer, you'll likely have the choice of adding that functionality through either USB ports or internal PCI slots. USB adapters are easier to add and remove, but PCI adapters allow you to hide the hardware inside your computer's case. Some internal PCI adapters let you place the antenna on top of the computer or on your desk, where you may get better reception.
Many laptop computers come with integrated wireless adapters. If yours doesn't, adding a wireless adapter is easy. You can either connect one through a USB port or a PC Card slot on your laptop. Both USB and PC Card adapters can be easily added and removed.
Once you've installed your adapter, it should automatically connect to your wireless router.