Gold Country Computer Learning Center March 2006 Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Todays Discussion What is Wireless A connection that doesnt use wire!! Just like a cordless phone Today – will just touch on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Where is it used? Connect two or more computers together Connect computers to the internet Connect your multimedia Connect your peripherals (mouse, camera, etc.) Presentation Not too much techie talk about wireless More about where and what, than how

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Bluetooth is short range wireless Most devices have 3ft or 20ft range Typical applications: hands free mobile phones, keyboard, mouse, cameras, wireless headsets, PDA synchronizing, printers, etc. Low power and no set up. Wi-Fi - longer range, higher speed and more security Used primarily to carry high speed data Range to 300ft Typical applications: connect computers to a central access point, connect computer to computer (ad-hoc), printers, multimedia, etc. Needs set up, but has high security capability

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Single PC Connecting to the Internet Dial up Broadband DSL, Cable or Satellite Basically no difference – just one can carry more information than the other Your Computer The Internet Your ISP Dial up or Broadband

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Broadband – External Modem DSL, Cable or Satellite Closer Look - Internet Connection Your Computer Your ISP Dial up – Internal Modem Telephone Line Both dial up and broadband use a modem Can be internal or external Dial up normally internal Broadband normally external Sending you web pages user name and password IP address (unique number)

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Two Computers Why connect two (or more) computers? Share files – photos, music, files, etc. Play games Backup important files Called a LAN (local area network) Each computer needs an IP address Connected with Ethernet cable Connected with Wireless

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March More than Two Computers We could just daisy chain more computers But would need multiple adapters on some computers Much better to use a hub Just a simple junction box – still requires each computer be set its own IP address

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Recap Internet connection Needs unique (on the Internet/WAN) IP address Connects through a modem (internal or external) Same concept for dial-up or broadband Local Area Network (LAN) Connect multiple, local computers together Each computer needs a unique LOCAL IP address Can connect using Ethernet cable or Wireless Best to use a Hub for more than 2 computers

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Typical Set-up Multiple computers connected to the internet Most common requirement Great if you have a laptop – can access the internet from the kitchen, deck, bedroom, etc. The set-up is different for dial-up (internal modem) and broadband (external modem) Firewall issues Your Internet (WAN) IP is public Without a firewall, the WAN is just like a LAN! True for just a single computer on the internet

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March WAN – LAN with Dial-Up Set-up local area network With or without a hub Wired or wireless Primary computer makes dial-up connection Primary computer has 2 IP addresses, one for the Internet and one for the LAN Uses ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) Firewall Primary computer must be on Hub (wire and wireless) Local Area Network (LAN) Telephone Line Internet Your ISP Dial up – Internal Modem Wide Area Network (WAN) Your primary computer

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Simple 2 computer system Both can access the internet Share files Backup files If one is a laptop – freedom! Telephone Line Internet Your ISP Dial up – Internal Modem Your primary computer Your laptop computer

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Set-up, using an External Modem Back to the basic internet connection Place a Router between the computer and modem A router is basically a hub + computer Dials the ISP and provides username & p/w Receives WAN IP address Provides IP addresses to the LAN Provides a firewall Router Broadband – External Modem DSL, Cable or Satellite Your Computer Your ISP Internet

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March External Modem/Router Network Basic home network Router dials up ISP Router manages LAN IP addresses Can be wired and wireless Provides firewall Security Router (wire + wireless) Broadband – External Modem DSL, Cable or Satellite Your Computer Your ISP Internet

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Other Wireless Devices Multimedia Large low cost hard drives can store your: CDs and MP3 files Video and Slide Shows But really want to play them on your hi-fi or TV Can connect with a regular audio/video cable But why not use wireless? Can get special wireless adapters that connect directly to your hi-fi or home theater system Internet radio 1000s of stations – great choice Computer Peripherals Printers, Cameras, etc Voice Over IP Telephone over the internet

Gold Country Computer Learning Center Is Wireless for You? Roger Thornburn March Wireless Jargon & Components b/g/a, Super G, Turbo G, etc. b – 11 Mbps, low cost g – 54 Mbps, longer range. Super, Turbo, etc – typically proprietary at more cost Hub Connect multiple wireless devices together No built in connection to WAN (internet) Router Hub plus ability to dial your ISP Provides firewall Wired as well as wireless connections Adapter Card to provide wireless for laptop or pc Media center extender

Gold Country Computer Learning Center March 2006 Enjoy Your Wireless Freedom