Wireless networks have existed for the past couple of years, and now everyone is deciding to get rid of those pesky wires and setup their own home wireless networks. With all of the new wireless networking devices being released each year, and wireless technology standards changing left and right, it’s not hard to see why anyone would get confused about setting up their home wireless network. We’re going to help you setup a wireless network by providing you with all the information you need for your wireless network to help you avoid any costly decisions and unnecessary headaches.

What Do You Need For a Wireless Network?

  • High speed internet connection with cable modem- A home wireless network is going to be worthless for you if you’re still running dial-up. You’ll need to upgrade to a broadband wireless internet connection. DSL or cable is fine. I prefer cable because it’s twice as fast as DSL and doesn’t cost that much more, plus you can get it bundled into your TV cable bill so it’s easier to keep track of it.
  • Wireless Network Router- A wireless router is a very important part of your home wireless network, this is the main device that will ensure that each one of your computers receives its wireless data and connection. When buying a wireless router make sure you purchase one that uses at least 802.11g wireless network standards. 802.11n is the newest wireless networking standard that is coming out, so be sure to look at that if you want to prevent having to upgrade your router for the next couple of years.
  • Wireless Network Interface Cards- These are the add-on cards that you’ll install in every PC that you want to use your home wireless network. Amazon.com has a good selection of network interface cards.

Setting Up The Wireless Router

Unbox your wireless router and make note of any important documents inside. Most wireless routers usually come with a setup CD, a manual of some sorts, an ethernet cable, and the supremely important “DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING UNTIL YOU’VE READ THIS PIECE OF IMPORTANT PAPER AND FOLLOWED ALL THE IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS SHEET OF PAPER”. Even if you have the complete manual for the router the sheet of paper still advises you to do nothing. The sheet of paper is just a simple guide for installing and setting up your wireless router for your wireless home network. It’s there for people who don’t know about computers to try and help make their wireless router installation as painless as possible.

After you’ve gathered up your documents for your wireless router, refer to the important sheet of paper if you have one, if you don’t have one then assume you do and follow the rest of the instructions in this guide. Usually the sheet of paper will tell you to plug your wireless router into a power outlet, plug your computer into the wireless router via the ethernet cable so you can setup your router.

If you’re lucky your wireless router may already be configured, (Usually it configures itself automatically) and the wireless network should be setup. However, if you’re not lucky here’s where you’ll have to refer to your manual to help you set up the wireless home network, and if you need to use that wireless router setup CD that came with your router, this is usually the best time.

After you’ve configured your wireless router, unplug your computer from the wireless router, and try out the wirelessness.

Installing & Setting Up The Wireless Network Interface Cards

It doesn’t take a genius to set these up, but first you have to get your hands dirty, and crack open your computer case. After you’ve got the case off you’ll have to find your PCI slots, they’re typically white. Here’s a nice little diagram for you, though computers don’t really have ISA slots anymore:
Network-Interface-Card-PCI-Slot
Once you’ve found the slots, you’ll want to slide the network interface card into the slot, by putting the metal part that will stick out of the back-side of the case in first, then the rest will just pop right in. Don’t worry about using a little force, but don’t use too much or you’ll break the card or your motherboard.

Now that you’ve physically installed the network interface card into the computer case, you’ll have to install the software drivers for the wireless network interface card. The software drivers usually come in the form of a floppy disk, or a CD, so just load it up if you have one and follow the on screen instructions. The instructions usually consist of a dialog box that asks you to check certain things, then it usually does the rest automatically and configures it for you to work with your home wireless network.

Do this for any other PCs you have that you want to connect to your wireless network.

It’s always good to check the manufacturer’s website for updated wireless network interface cards drivers, often times they release enhanced drivers that update the performance, security, and reliability of your network interface.

Home Wireless Network Security

Make sure that before you’re done you secure your wireless network. Without securing your home wireless network anyone that’s within probably 150 feet of your home can access it, and once they get in, they can either leech your internet bandwidth, or steal your personal files or information. In the next day or two we’re going to have a post highlighting the security of home wireless networks and the preferred methods for securing it, as well figuring out if someone has gotten into your home network.