How to Expand Home Networks

A wireless router can expand your home network.

You can create a computer network at home that allows multiple computers to connect together to share resources and Internet services. If you want to expand your current home network, you can purchase a wireless router and wireless network cards for your computers. The wireless router will allow you to connect a large number of wireless computers and devices in the home, as long as the computers are within range of the router's signal. This allows you to create a network without running wires through the house.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless router
• Network cable
• Wireless network cards
• Screwdriver

Instructions

Install Wireless Network Card

1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from the wall.

2. Use a screwdriver to remove the side cover from the computer tower.

3. Locate the PCI slots on your computer's motherboard. These will usually be white and located in the bottom corner, towards the back of the tower.

4. Remove the metal cover from the card slot on the back of your computer's tower.

5. Insert the wireless network card's bronze connectors into the PCI slot on your computer. You should feel it click into place once it's seated correctly.

6. Screw the network card to your computer tower, if required.

7. Attach the wireless antenna to the network card, if required.

8. Close the side cover of the computer tower and plug the computer back in.

9. Turn on your computer and allow it to detect the new wireless card. It should install the drivers for the card automatically. Once this is done, your computer will be able to detect a signal from your wireless router.

10. Repeat this process with each computer that requires a new wireless card.

Install and Connect to Wireless Router

1. Connect one end of the network cable to the outgoing port on your Internet modem.

2. Connect the other end of the network cable to the incoming Internet port on your wireless router. You should see lights appear on the front of your router, indicating the incoming Internet connection.

3. Click the "Start" button on a computer that has the wireless network card installed.

4. Click "Connect to" on the "Start" menu. This will launch a list of local wireless connections.

5. Click on your router once to select it, then click "Connect." Your computer will automatically make a connection to the wireless router.

6. Repeat this process with each computer you need to connect to the network.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't feel comfortable installing a card inside your computer, you can purchase USB wireless Internet adapters for your computers as an alternative.

• You may wish to log into your router's dashboard and set a network security key on your router. This prevents outside wireless devices from using your Internet connection.

• Review the documentation that came with your router for information on how to log into your router to set a security password and administrator account.

References

• Windows: Setting Up a Wireless Network
• Windows: Set Up a Wireless Router
• Windows: Install a Wireless Network Adapter