How to Install a Wireless Network by CNET
Step 1:
Getting started
A broadband connection brings the Internet into your home at blazing speeds. And with a wireless, or Wi-Fi, network, you can get that access on multiple computers throughout your home--and even outside it--without cords. What's more, today's wireless-networking products make broadband Internet sharing easy, inexpensive, and secure. In this Weekend Project, we'll show you how to distribute broadband Internet access among multiple notebook or desktop systems, and we'll walk you through the necessary steps to keep your network protected.
The core of a Wi-Fi network is a wireless router or gateway. We used the D-Link DI-624 AirPlus Xtreme G 802.11g router, which sells for $99 before a $20 rebate. You'll also need a wireless adapter for each system that connects to the network. We installed two D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G 802.11g wireless adapters: a DWL-G650 PC Card adapter for a Windows 2000 notebook PC ($65 before a $10 rebate) and a DWL-G520 PCI adapter for a secondary desktop running Windows XP Home Edition ($69 before a $10 rebate). The primary PC, connected to the router via an Ethernet cable, was running Windows XP Professional.
Step 2:
What you'll need
Before you get started with this project, we recommend that you have the following:
* A wireless router
* Wireless adapters and/or a wireless-enabled system or laptop
* A broadband connection to the Internet (typically via cable or DSL modem)
* An Ethernet cable
* Pen and paper to write down current network settings, such as IP and MAC addresses
* The IP address assigned to your system by your ISP if you use a static IP address
* If you use DSL, the username and password assigned to you by your ISP
* The MAC address for all wireless network adapters
Step 3:
Prepare for installation
You may need a few bits of information to set up your router correctly. Double-click the Network Connections icon within Control Panel and right-click the icon for your PC's Ethernet adapter. Then choose Properties > Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > Properties. If "Use the following IP address" is highlighted, your Internet access uses a static IP address. Jot down the IP address, the subnet mask, and the default gateway. Then click "Obtain an IP address automatically." Click OK to apply your changes and OK again to close the dialog.
You'll find your Ethernet adapter's IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway within its Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
You'll find your Ethernet adapter's IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway within its Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
You'll find your Ethernet adapter's IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway within its Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
If you have a DSL connection, you'll probably need the username and the password your system requires to connect to your ISP. If you don't know the values, try looking within the software your ISP provided. You may need to uninstall the PPPoE connection software that your ISP provided. To find out, check your router's documentation.
Now is also a good time to collect the MAC addresses of any wireless-network adapters you'll be installing. The MAC address should be printed on the Wi-Fi PC Card or the PCI adapter.
Step 4:
Install the router
Connect your modem to the WAN port on the router and your PC to an open Ethernet port on the router.
Connect your modem to the WAN port on the router and your PC to an open Ethernet port on the router.
Most DSL users will probably need to choose a PPPoE connection type.
Most DSL users will probably need to choose a PPPoE connection type.
Before you install the router, power down your PC and modem, then disconnect the Ethernet cable from your PC and connect it to your router's WAN port so that the Ethernet cable connects the modem to the router. Now, you'll need to string a second Ethernet cable between your PC's Ethernet port and one of the router's Ethernet ports.
Turn on the modem and wait until it connects. Plug in and power on the router and turn on your PC. When your system boots, open a browser window and try a few Web sites to test your Internet connection. If all seems to be working, skip to step 5.
Configure the router
Using the PC connected to the router, launch your browser. In the URL address field, enter the router-configuration IP address provided in the documentation--192.168.0.1 for the D-Link DI-624. You'll also need to enter the configuration-utility ID (usually "admin") and the default password.
Next, enter the information you collected in step 3 as instructed in your router's installation guide. If you jotted down an IP address in step 1, set the router to use a static IP address and enter the address and other information. If you're a DSL user, you'll likely need to choose a PPPoE Internet-connection type, then enter the username and password you selected to log on to your ISP.
Leave other settings such as encryption and SSID at their defaults for now, exit your router's configuration routine, and check your Internet connection. If you still can't access any Web sites, check your router's documentation for troubleshooting advice and call the manufacturer for technical support, if necessary.
tep 5:
Install the wireless adapters
Install a PCI card in each desktop system you want to connect to your network.
Install a PCI card in each desktop system you want to connect to your network.
Install the Wi-Fi adapter in each system that will connect wirelessly to the router. If you're using the D-Link PC Card and PCI adapters, install the software from the CD before installing the hardware, then shut down your system, install the adapter, and reboot. After Windows boots, the Found New Hardware wizard should appear and initiate the driver installation. Select "Install the software automatically" and click Next. If you see a message warning that the driver has not passed Windows logo testing, click Continue Anyway.
tep 6:
Configure, part 1
If your wireless systems won't connect to the Internet, try disabling Windows XP's wireless connection utility.
If your wireless systems won't connect to the Internet, try disabling Windows XP's wireless connection utility.
If your wireless systems won't connect to the Internet just yet, you may need to take another step or two. On a Windows XP system, try disabling the Windows wireless-configuration feature to establish a connection. This step is also necessary if you want to use the bundled utilities. To disable this feature, click the XP Networking icon (it looks like two computer monitors) in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen. When the Wireless Network Connection dialog appears, click the Advanced button and select the Wireless Networks tab. Uncheck "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" and click OK to accept the change. Now reboot your system to bring the connection to life.
For operating system versions other than Windows XP, a simple reboot may be all it takes to get your Wi-Fi adapter running correctly after driver installation. Move on to the next steps even if you still can't connect after rebooting. They should solve the problem.
Step 7:
Set security
The Tools page in the DI-624's configuration utility allows you to change the router's password.
The Tools page in the DI-624's configuration utility allows you to change the router's password.
For added security, choose WPA encryption over WEP if you have a choice.
For added security, choose WPA encryption over WEP if you have a choice.
For an extra layer of security, enable MAC address filtering.
For an extra layer of security, enable MAC address filtering.
To secure your new Wi-Fi network, go to your wireless router's configuration utility again by entering its IP address in your browser. Using the router documentation or built-in help, if necessary, find the option that lets you change the default password. With the DI-624, this option lives within the Tools page. Apply the change but leave the configuration routine open for the next step.
Set the SSID
The next step in securing your network is changing its name, which is usually referred to as the service set identifier (SSID). With the DI-624, you reach this setting by clicking the Wireless button. Change the default SSID to anything you like but avoid values that an intruder might guess, such as your last name. Apply the change without exiting.
Tip
Your router may also allow you to disable SSID broadcasting, which keeps neighbors or would-be intruders from seeing your wireless network among their Wi-Fi connection choices.
Enable encryption
Now enable encryption. If your router and all of your wireless adapters support it, use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption with a preshared key. This provides more than adequate security for most home users. If your hardware doesn't support WPA, enable Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption.
Most routers let you create WEP or WPA keys by entering a passphrase. You'll likely need to enter the passphrase twice for verification. Apply the changes without exiting.
Step 8:
Configure, part 2
Enter the SSID and the encryption passphrase into each system that you want to connect to your network.
Enter the SSID and the encryption passphrase into each system that you want to connect to your network.
If you've followed our instructions faithfully, your wireless systems will now be unable to connect to the router. To reestablish the connection, change the SSID within the wireless-configuration utility for each wireless adapter to match the value you entered for the router. You'll also need to enable the same type of encryption you enabled in the router and provide exactly the same passphrase. After you apply the changes to each system, it should connect to the router and the Internet.