CIS 103 — Applied Computer Technology Last Edited: September 17, 2010 by C.Herbert Wireless Home Networks

CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 2 Wireless home networks are becoming increasingly popular because they: allow users to connect to the Internet, peripheral devices, and other computers from throughout the home are less expensive than wired networks are easier to setup than wired networks They make the most of portable devices at home such as laptops, wireless printers, and game consoles. Wireless Home Networks

Broadband Access Home computer networks are connected to an Internet service provider’s broadband network. A broadband network is a high speed networks that has special hardware allowing data to move across the network more quickly. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 3

Broadband Access Broadband Internet connections, offered by companies like Verizon and Comcast, are usually: a telephone company’s DSL connection a telephone company’s fiber optic connection A cable television company’s coaxial cable connection CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 4

Broadband Access CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 5

Wireless Networking Standards The most important standards for wireless home networks are the IEEE’s standards for wireless telecommunication. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 6

Wireless Home Network Hardware Almost all home computer networks use Ethernet technology. Ethernet, defined by IEEE standard 802.3, is a networking standard defining cables, connections and protocols for low cost local area networks. In a wireless network, a few components must still be wired together, so, you will need at least two Ethernet cables, even though it’s called a wireless home network. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 7

Wireless Home Network Hardware Wireless home network hardware includes: a broadband modem a wireless router wireless network adapters for each computer or device connected to the network CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 8

Wireless Home Network Hardware Internet service through a broadband DSL, coaxial cable, or fiber optic line is connected to a home network using an Ethernet broadband modem. An Ethernet broadband modem changes high speed broadband signals into Ethernet signals compatible with hardware for home computers. It changes both the speed of the signal and the transmission media – for example, from a Verizon coaxial cable to copper wiring in the home. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 9

Wireless Home Network Hardware A router is an electronic device that routes data moving across a network and between two networks, making sure that data is on its way to the correct destination. It is the electronic gateway between the Internet service provider’s network and your home network. A wireless router moves data between a wired network and a wireless broadcast network. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 10

Wireless Home Network Hardware Here are two views of a Linksys E1000 wireless router from Cisco. It has a port with a yellow label for the connection to the broadband modem, and four numbered ports with blue labels for connections to devices in the home. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 11

Wireless Home Network Hardware The ports on wireless routers use RJ-45 connectors. RJ-45 is a wiring standard for 8 contact connectors in a telephone system. The same connectors are used in Ethernet technology, but wired differently. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 12

Wireless Home Network Hardware The cables used for the wired connections in a home network are standard Ethernet Category 5 or Category 6 cables, called cat-5 or cat-6 cables. They have 8 wires with RJ-45 connectors on each end of the cable. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 13

Wireless Home Network Hardware Each device with a wireless connections to the router needs a wireless network adapter. A wireless network adapter transmits and receives data over a wireless network. In essence, it is a specialized digital radio. Inexpensive USB wireless adapters are available for devices without built-in adapters. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 14

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Setting up a Wireless Home Network Setting up a wireless home network is easier than you might think it is. You need to make sure that you have the right equipment, that it is connected properly, and that it is properly initialized. Your Internet Service Provider should install and set up a broadband modem for you. You only need to set up the router, and the wireless adapters in each computer. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 16

Setting up a Wireless Router Setting up a wireless router requires you to connect the router directly to the broadband modem using an Ethernet cable. You will also need to connect a computer directly to the router so that you can use the computer to initialize the router. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 17 modem router computer

Setting up a Wireless Home Network Routers have a control panel accessed through an Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 18

Setting up a Wireless Home Network After you connect the router, you must enter the router’s IP address in the browser, and the control panel will appear. You will use the control panel to name the network and set up network security, etc. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 19

Setting up a Wireless Home Network Step by step details about IP addresses and router setup are covered in the next section – Securing a Wireless Network. Only a few items need to be changed to initialize the router. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 20

Connecting a PC to a Wireless Network To connect a PC to a wireless router: 1.Open the windows Control Panel. This can be done from the Windows start menu. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 21

Connecting a PC to a Wireless Network 2. When the Control Panel opens, select Connect to the Internet under the Network and Internet heading. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 22

Connecting a PC to a Wireless Network 3. A Connect to the Internet window will appear. Select Wireless and a menu of the wireless routers your computer can detect will appear. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 23

Connecting a PC to a Wireless Network 4. Select your network and a Connect automatically check box will appear, allowing you to make future connections automatic, whenever the computer is in range of the wireless router. For now, you need to click the Connect button to connect to the network. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 24

Connecting a PC to a Wireless Network That’s it. It may take a minute or two for your router to connect, but once that’s done you are ready to use your home network. Setting up network security, including a network security key, is addressed in the next section. CIS 103 Applied Computer TechnologyData Communications 25