How to Set Up Home Wireless LAN

Your router will plug into your broadband modem during installation.

Compared with WANs (wide area networks), LANs (local area networks) cover a small geographic area but provide generally higher data-transfer rates, which makes them ideal for use in the home or office. While tethered LAN access for a computer via an Ethernet cable is sometimes used, wireless LANs have become popular thanks to Wi-Fi technology. A wireless LAN in the home or office provides ease of use and freedom of mobility for any number of computers.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless router
• Broadband modem
• Router manual

Instructions

1. Connect your wireless router to your broadband modem. This is accomplished by plugging the Ethernet cable into the back of your broadband modem via the "WLAN" or "Internet" port. The listing of this port varies depending upon your router model.

2. Locate your wireless router manual. Open it and find the section that details and provides the unique URL/Internet address that allows you to set up your router's settings. Additionally, locate the default password your router manufacturer provides in this section.

3. Open your Internet browser on a computer that is currently hooked up to the Internet and navigate to the URL that was listed in your router manual. When prompted, enter the default password that was listed in the manual.

4. Select a name for your new wireless network when prompted. This name can be anything of your choosing and is arbitrary. Next, choose whether to password-protect your network. It is highly suggested you do so. First, select an encryption type---WEP or WPA---and then choose a password to protect your connection. Note that WPA is a superior encryption method, although some older routers will not support it.

5. Hit "Apply" to save all these settings for your new network.

6. Locate the wireless icon on the computer that you wish to first join your wireless LAN. If it is a computer with a Windows operating system, the wireless icon is on the right side of the bottom toolbar. With a machine that runs off Apple's OSX, this icon is on the right side of the top toolbar. Click it to reveal a listing of local networks.

7. Select your network from the list and enter the password if you set up WEP/WPA security. Your wireless LAN setup is now complete.

References

• Microsoft: 4 Steps to Set Up Your Home Wireless Network