SETTING UP
NETWORKS
QUARTER 4 – Lesson
2
Wireless networks use radio
waves to connect devices such as
laptops to the Internet, the
business network and
applications. When laptops are
connected to Wi-Fi hot spots in
public places, the connection is
established to that business’s
wireless network.
If you already have high-speed
(broadband) Internet service at your
house, it's pretty easy to create your
own home wireless network. Commonly
known as Wi-Fi, a wireless network
allows you to connect laptops,
smartphones, and other mobile devices
to your home Internet service without
an Ethernet cable.
Wireless Router
To create your own Wi-Fi network,
you'll need a wireless router. This is
the device that will broadcast the
Wi-Fi signal from your Internet
modem throughout your house.
Your Internet service provider (ISP)
may offer you a wireless router for
a small monthly fee. If you've never
set up a Wi-Fi network before, this
may be the easiest option.
onnecting the Cables
1. Once you've acquired a wireless router,
you'll need to connect it to your existing
Internet modem.
2. Connect an Ethernet cable from your
modem to the wireless router (there is usually
a short Ethernet cable included with your
wireless router for this purpose).
3. Plug in the power cable for the wireless
router.
4. Wait at least 30 to 60 seconds, and make
sure the lights on your router are working
correctly.
onfigure your router
Next, you'll need to use your computer to configure your
router's default settings. This includes setting a unique
name and password for your wireless network.
1. Using your web browser,
enter the router's default IP
address into the address bar,
then press Enter. Your router's
instructions should include
this information, but some of
the most common addresses
include 192.168.0.1,
192.168.1.1, and 192.168.2.1.
Routers use a standard user name and
password combination, such as admin and
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Basic configuration options
When you access the configuration page of
your wireless access point on the Internet,
you have the following configuration options
that are related to the wireless access point
functions of the device. Although these
options are specific to this particular device,
most access points have similar
configuration options.
Enable/Disable: Enables or disables the device’s
wireless access point functions.
SSID: The Service Set Identifier is used to identify
the network. Most access points have well-known
defaults. You can talk yourself into thinking that
your network is more secure by changing the SSID
from the default to something more obscure, but in
reality, that only protects you from first-grade
hackers. By the time most hackers get into the
second grade, they learn that even the most obscure
SSID is easy to get around. So leave the SSID at the
default and apply better security measures.
Channel: Lets you select one of 11 channels on which
to broadcast. All the access points and computers in
the wireless network should use the same channel. If
you find that your network is frequently losing
connections, try switching to another channel. You
may be experiencing interference from a cordless
phone or other wireless device operating on the same
channel.
WEP — Mandatory or Disable: Lets you use a
security protocol called wired equivalent
privacy.
