Beginners guide to installing and using wireless broadband

This information is aimed at people who want to enjoy the benefit of a wireless network but are unsure how to do so.
Setting up a wireless network is relatively straightforward and means you will be able to use wireless PCs and laptops anywhere in your house. You can even use a wireless network to connect Sony PSP or Nintendo DS handheld consoles.
With a wireless router any device can use the Internet without other devices having to be switched on.

It is assumed that you already have a PC or laptop that is connected to the internet via broadband.

Checking your current Internet modem is compatible

First you must identify your existing modem is compatible.
Your modem will have been given to you by your ISP - the company who you pay for Internet access. It will usually be a small external box sat somewhere between your PC and a phone line or cable access point.
For ADSL broadband, your modem will be connected to your landline phone socket and then to your PC. For cable broadband, it will be connected to a specific box or outlet in your house, then to your PC. The simplest way to check if your modem is compatible is to look at the modem itself and how it connects to your PC at the moment. Many modems will be USB based and will connect to your computer via a USB cable but many that do will still have a compatible socket. Look at the back of your modem for a port labelled “network” or “RJ45”. It will look similar to a normal landline phone socket but a little wider and a little taller. If your modem has such a socket it is compatible with a wireless router. If your modem only has a USB port you will need to buy a wireless modem router to replace your USB only modem.

Checking that your PC or laptop is compatible

You must also ensure your current PC or laptop is able to use a wireless network. If you do not have any type of wireless equipment in your PC or laptop you will need to add some. If you are unsure, please consult your documentation that came with your PC or laptop. To add wireless to a laptop or PC you can simply add a USB adaptor that plugs in to one of your USB ports, install a wireless card inside your PC or add a wireless PCMCIA card PCMCIA card to your laptop. Each method is equally as efficient but installing a wireless card in your PC means opening your PC and this may invalidate any guarantee you may have on it.

Installing the router and setting up the network

To install a wireless router it needs to be connected to your current modem from the RJ45 Network port with an RJ45 cable. You may have had an RJ45 cable provided from your ISP in the original packaging of the modem, if you do not have one, you would need to buy one. To install the router you must follow these steps:
·    Ensure your PC or laptop is able to connect to a Wireless network, this may mean installing or plugging in a wireless adaptor at this point. Follow the instructions that came with your wireless adaptor to install it.
·    If you need any user name or password to connect to the Internet when you use your PC (mainly ADSL broadband users) make a note of these. Your ISP will have given these to you.
·    Turn off your PC and your modem
·    If you are going to use your original ISP given modem, place the wireless router close to the modem and connect a RJ45 cable from the port on your modem to the port marked WAN on the wireless router. If there is no port marked WAN it is usually the one without a number above it.
·    If you are planning to use a wireless modem router you simply remove the ISP given modem and connect the wireless modem router in it's place.
·    Turn on your modem and wait 30 seconds.
·    Turn on the wireless router.
·    Turn on your PC or laptop.
·    Follow the manufacturers instructions to set up the details of your wireless router. For cable broadband users, you should be able to connect straight to the wireless network and access the Internet. For ADSL users, you may need to set up usernames and passwords before you can connect, again, refer to the documentation provided with the equipment. Once you have successfully set up the wireless network you will notice a yellow balloon pop-up under Windows XP informing you that a wireless network exists and that you can connect.

Additional notes

Walls or other large obstacles will affect the range of a wireless network so you may not always get a range that is indicated by the manufacturers. If possible, place it close to the centre of your house and ideally not very close to the floor or ceiling. This will help add range.
A wireless network will broadcast outwards for up to several hundred feet. This means that any neighbours may be able to connect to your network and use your Internet connection. To prevent this follow instructions in your router user guide for “hiding the SSID”. There are plenty of sites across the internet where you can go for more information about fine tuning your wireless network and configuring devices like games consoles to use it.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that this guide cannot be specific to every type of PC, ISP or home setup possible. This information is aimed as an addition to any information or user manuals that come with the wireless equipment and you should follow the instructions given by the manufacturers. If there is any doubt between this guide and any instructions from the manufacturers of wireless equipment, always follow their advice first. Although there is nothing that can go terribly wrong installing a wireless network, UltraMerl cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage as a direct result of following this guide.