How to Setup a Wireless Network at Home

Setting up a wireless network at home can be done in a snap. As long as you have an existing internet service and a modem, your broadband connection can be utilized by a wireless router and a wireless signal can be cast throughout your home, allowing you to access the internet sans wires. With your wireless router documentation in hand and a few settings put together, your wireless network can be accessed with little hassle and headache.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wireless router
• Network cable
• Router manual

1. Make sure your computer is not connected to the Internet initially. Unplug your high-speed modem from your wall, and then connect the wireless router to this modem. To do so, you will need to take the network cable that was running from the back of the computer to the modem, and run it instead from the modem to the back of your wireless router. This network cable will enter the back of the wireless router via the WLAN, WAN or Internet port, depending on preference and individual router configuration (see your router manual).

2. Power up the modem by plugging it back into the wall. You will need to wait as the modem sets itself back up, which will take a minute or two.

3. Run the wireless router network cable straight into the back of the wireless router. This connection will be made via any available port in the back of the router that is not listed as WAN, WLAN or Internet. This will create a temporary internet connection.

4. Use your temporary internet connection and open a browser window on your computer. Find the address (URL) your router manufacturing company provides (again, check your router manual). Then, navigate to this URL and from here configure the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID is simply a wireless name. Also, here you can choose to set a security encryption (such as WEP) and establish a password of your choosing for your new wireless network. Set all these option up and then click the "Apply" button to save your network settings.

5. Sever your temporary internet connection by disconnecting the network cable from the computer. Now, with the wireless router set up as it is and connected to your high-speed modem, you will be able to use your wireless internet. To do so, tap into your wireless network you just created by right clicking on the networking icon on the bottom of your desktop, on the toolbar. Click on the "View Available Wireless Networks" option, and select the name of your just recently created wireless network from those listed.

Resources

• More Networking Information