How to Set Up a Wireless Internet Connection
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Wireless networks have gained popularity in both business and home use primarily because it has helped to extend the reach of networking environments including the simplification of the sharing of network resources and devices like network printers. Traditional Ethernet-based network environments had limited reach because there is a limit to the length that a network cable must have to maintain the quality and speed of data transmission and in order to extend this reach, additional network devices like hubs and switches were required to translate to costly network implementation. Deploying a wired network environment also meant having to contend with various obstacles like walls, ceilings, and other structures already in place prior to the establishment of the Local Area Network (LAN). Using a wireless network environment, these limitations, obstacles, and added cost of deployment become almost negligible sometimes to the point of becoming non-existent.
Materials Needed:- Broadband modem
- computer
- wireless router
- wireless NIC
- Ethernet cable
- Web browser
- Internet connection
Step 1
Under the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System platform, there are two ways of establishing wireless Internet connections. To create a wireless Internet connection using a wireless router, proceed to Step 13. To establish the same connection using an ad hoc wireless network without a router, go to the next step.
Step 2
Click on the 'Start' button and choose the 'Control Panel' option. Click on the 'Network and Internet Connections' category.
Step 3
Click on the 'Network Connections' icon. Right click the 'Wireless Network Connection' option and select 'Properties'.
Step 4
In the displayed dialog box, click the 'Wireless Network' tab. Click the 'Add' button under the Preferred Networks. On the 'Association' tab, provide a name for the ad hoc wireless network in the Network Name (SSID) box.
Step 5
Clear the check box beside 'The key is provided for me automatically' option and place a check mark for the 'This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network'.
Step 6
Provide a 13-digit code that will serve as the network password for the Network Key box. Repeat the process for the 'Confirm Network Key' box. Click on the 'OK' button twice to make the changes permanent.
Step 7
To connect a computer to the ad hoc wireless network, right click on the 'Wireless Network' icon at the taskbar.
Step 8
Click the 'View Available Wireless Networks' option. In the Wireless Network Connection window, a list of available SSID will be displayed.
Step 9
Click on your own wireless network and click the 'Connect' button to initiate the connection.
Step 10
Provide the network key when prompted to do so. Confirm the network key and click the 'Connect' button again to resume the connection attempt.
Step 11
Close the Wireless Network Connection window once successfully connected to the wireless network.
Step 12
Repeat Step 7 to Step 11 to configure additional wireless computers to access the wireless network and take advantage of the wireless Internet connection.
Step 13
To use a wireless router, connect the broadband modem to the WLAN port of the wireless router using an Ethernet cable.
Step 14
Connect an Ethernet cable from a wired NIC of the computer to any vacant port of the wireless router.