Wireless Networks @ Home

Wireless Network Installation & Setup

If you have more than 1 PC in your  home and you are always walking between them with CD/DVD's and USB Flash drives, then now could be the time to think about networking them together. This will save you the trouble of moving around rooms, wasting CD/DVD's and your valuable time.

What can I do with my network?

A network allows you the freedom of using every PC and connected device in the house, from one central point. You might have a big laser printer that looks a bit unsightly in your living room but with a wireless network, you can put the printer out of sight with the aid of a wireless print server.

As well as using PCs, you can also use a notebook to connect to a wireless network from anywhere in the house. Depending on your type of wireless network, you can even go into the garden on a summer’s day and work outside!

If more than one person in the house wants to use the Internet at the same time on different PCs, then this is not a problem, you can share your Internet connection!

How are the device's connected?

When deciding on a network, you need to make one of two decisions, a wired network or a wireless one. If your machines are in the same room then a wired network could be an option, but if you have 1 pc upstairs and 1 downstairs then a wireless network would be recommended.

What equipment do I need?

In order to use a recommended wireless network, you will need to have the following items: (all of which you can get from PC Workshop)

• 2 PCs/Notebooks
• 2 Network Interface Cards (NICs) or Built-in Ethernet Ports
  
• 1 wireless router to share your Internet connection
• A broadband Internet connection

Optional extras would be:

• Printers
• Print servers
• External hard drives
• Webcams

Is a wireless network safe?

A wireless network is extremely safe and secure, providing you use the security features found on the wireless router, and install a software firewall on each PC on the network. This will ensure that the network can only be accessed by people in your home.