How to Find Wireless Products to Set Up a Network at Home

A wireless network is ideal for your home, as it offers enhanced flexibility and mobility. Desktops, laptops and other devices connected to the wireless network can access the network anywhere in your home. Wireless networks eliminate extensive cabling. However, to set up a reliable wireless network, you need to have compatible wireless devices. Finding the right devices requires some homework and effort on your part. Here’s how you can find wireless products to set up a network at home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Assess your requirements. Make a list of all devices required for creating the network. These include wireless routers, wireless adapters and nodes, switches or hubs, hotspot devices, wireless LAN cards for desktops and laptops, antennas, amplifiers, firewalls, wireless bridges and cables. Three types of wireless network technologies widely used are 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

2. Browse through blogs and discussion forums on wireless technology. These are good avenues to get more information on wireless networks and the devices used for creating such networks. You can also get some sense of what technologies are prevalent and how to check compatibility of wireless devices. Compatibility of wireless products with your network and internet service is critical.

3. Learn more about the features and prices of various wireless products (and wireless networks) by referring to online buyers’ guides. These are good sources to assess compatibility of various wireless products available. Besides, you can browse through reviews and compare vendor pricing. Some popular buyers’ guides are NexTag, Windows Marketplace, MySimon and Epinions (see links below).

4. Check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see if they provide you with the option of buying wireless Internet-specific devices such as routers and antennas. This is an ideal option as it will save time and the ISP will deliver devices that are compatible with your wireless Internet service.

5. Alternatively, find and buy all wireless devices after comparing prices in different stores online and offline. Search for online vendors using search engines like Google or Yahoo. Browse through popular online stores such as CompUSA, Best Buy and Circuit City (see links below). Visit retail stores as well to find the right products.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you do not plan to buy wireless products from retail stores, you should always visit them and talk to their technical representatives about setting up your wireless network. They would be able to recommend compatible and reliable devices for your network.
• Find wireless devices that have security features such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). Wireless networks are vulnerable to security threats. It is thus important to find products that incorporate additional security measures.