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Wireless is one of the new technologies that should be considered for your home network.  Costs have dropped so it can be well worth the convenience.  Wireless eliminates the need to run Ethernet cables throughout the house.  This is particularly handy if one of your computers is a laptop.

What you will need.

• Wireless Access Point -  This is the “base station” that connects into the router or is actually a part of the router.

•  Wireless capability in each computer.  This can either be a PCMCIA card that slips into a slot in your laptop, a PCI card that is installed in your desktop, or a wireless card installed inside your laptop.  Many laptops already have the antenna built in.  Some laptop models have wireless built-in at the factory.

•  Optional:  Signal Booster – One of the problems with wireless is not getting coverage of the entire house.  This device can help solve that problem.

Three types of Wireless

At this time, there are three standards for wireless; 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g – or more simply referred to b, a, or g.  These standards were introduced into the market in the order mentioned above.  Besides when they became available, other differences are the radio frequency they use, the speed at which they transfer data and compatibility with each other.  This is summarized below.

Access away from home

One other advantage of wireless is that your laptop can also be used on other wireless networks away from the home.  Coffee shops, restaurants and airports are setting up wireless access points.  This access is available for free or a fee.  Several colleges are setting up wireless access around campus in locations like libraries, common areas etc... so students can connect to the network as they roam around the campus.  Businesses are also providing wireless access in conference rooms and meeting centers.

Security

Wireless networking data travels over radio waves rather than following wires.  This has the potential risk that data can more easily be intercepted or a person can gain access to a network without being authorized.  Without taking some precautions this means that your neighbor could "borrow" your high speed Internet access or someone could sit in your driveway and have access to all of the data shared on your home network.  More information for home networks is provided in the Security section but it is particularly important to think about security when setting up a wireless network.

Next, to walk through a home network flowchart to match you needs with the technology, go to Home Network Flowchart