Setting up a home network

 

Wired network

Simple hardware requirements

-          ethernet card, hub/switch/router, modem, wire

Share resources

 

Wireless Networking

            Provides new opportunities

-          Allows roaming – no strings attached!

-          Three types – Cellular,  Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity),  Powerline*

-           

Celluar

-          same limitation as cell phones

-          slow

-          service -  metered use / expensive

-           

Wi-Fi

-          One standard (IEEE 802.11)

-          One certification body (wifialliance.org)

-          Cheap and easy

-          Relatively high speed

-          Limited range

-           

802.11 Standards

                        - b -  11 mbps, 2.4 GHz

                        - a -  54 mbps, 5 GHz, limited range

                        - g -  54 mbps, 2.4 GHz  -- compatible w/”b”

                        - n – 100 mbps and expanded range

                        - 802.16 – WiMax (worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)

                                    - 70mbps and 30 miles

 

 

 

 

Setting up a home network

 

Install the hardware

Set up or verify an Internet connection (optional)

Connect the computers

Run the set up wizard, i.e.,  Wireless Router or Access Point wizard

Enable sharing on your network

Test your network

 

 

 

Tips for Wireless (Wi-Fi) Home Network Security

 

-Change default Administrator - Username and Passwords

-Enable firewalls

-Change the default SSID and Disable Broadcast

-Turn on encryption -  WEP / WPA

(Wired Equivalent Privacy / Wi-Fi Protected Access)

-Enable MAC address filtering

            (Media Access Control)

 

-Do not Auto-Connect to open Wi-Fi networks

-Turn off your Network when not needed

-Assign Static IP Addresses to peripherals

-Check range of router

 

 

Resources

 

Setting up Your Windows Network

http://support.gateway.com/s/Manuals/Mobile/9526309.pdf

 

 

Setting up your own local area network

http://www.internetaccessmonitor.com/eng/support/docs/winproxy/user-manual/Setting-up-your-own-Local-Area-Network.php

 

 

Top 10 Tips for Wireless Home Network Security

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm

 

 

Setting Up Printer Sharing

http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/webonly/techsupport/73w10/73w10.asp