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How To Share Broadband/Cable Internet Connection Using A Wireless Router
You can use a wireless network to share Internet access,
files, printers, and more. Or you can use it to surf the Web while you're
sitting on your couch or in your yard. Plus, it's easier to install than you
think.
There are 6 steps to creating a wireless network and sharing internet
connection, files and printer: Note first - Very first step is to make sure you
turn off firewall on all pcs while you configure the internet. Once internet is
established you can then turn it back on. (this process needs to be done because
many firewalls will block even a home network from the internet)
- Choose your wireless equipment
- Connect your wireless router
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Connect your other computers or laptop to the wireless network
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To setup permanent preferred wireless connection to connect automatically
when computer starts
- To turn
wireless internet on in laptop/notebook
- How to share files and printer on your new wireless network
You need the
Wireless Zero Configuration tool but it should already be installed
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The first step is to make sure that you have the equipment you need. As
you're looking for products in stores or on the Internet, you might notice
that you can choose equipment that supports three different wireless
networking technologies: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.
Shopping list
- Broadband Internet connection
- Wireless router (The router converts the signals coming across your
Internet connection into a wireless broadcast, sort of like a cordless phone
base station. Be sure to get a wireless router, and not a wireless access
point. Make sure your PC has an available Ethernet port)
- A computer or laptop with built-in wireless networking support or a usb
wireless network adapter (Network adapters wirelessly connect your other
computer to main computer using your wireless router. If you have a newer
computer you may already have wireless capabilities built in. If this is the
case, then you will not need a wireless network adapter. If you need to
purchase an adapter for a desktop computer, buy a USB wireless network
adapter. If you have a laptop, buy a PC card-based network adapter. Make
sure that you have one adapter for every computer on your network. (You do
not need one for your main pc as this will use your original modem and new
wireless router)
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Since you'll be temporarily disconnected from the Internet you should save
or print this page. First, locate your cable modem or DSL modem and
unplug it to turn it off.
Next, connect your wireless router direct to your modem by Ethernet cable to
the port labelled either Internet, WAN, or WLAN on your modem. Your modem
should stay connected directly to the Internet. Later, after you've hooked
everything up, your computer will wirelessly connect to your router, and the
router will send communications through your modem to the Internet.
You then attach another Ethernet cable to any of the available ports and
plug the other end into your main PC. Next, plug in and turn on
your cable or DSL modem. Wait a few minutes to give it time to connect to
the Internet, and then plug in and turn on your wireless router. After a
minute, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your wireless router should
light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.
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If your other computer or laptop does not have wireless network support
built in, plug your wireless network adapter into your USB port, or insert the
network adapter into an empty PC card slot (in the case of a laptop). Windows XP
will automatically detect the new adapter, and may prompt you to insert the CD
that came with your adapter. The on-screen instructions will guide you through
the configuration process. Windows XP should show an icon with a
notification that says it has found a wireless network.
Follow these steps to connect your computer to your wireless network:
Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower-right corner of your
screen, and then click View Available Wireless Networks. If you run into any
problems, consult the documentation that came with your network adapter.
The Wireless Network Connection window should appear and you should see your
wireless network listed with the SSID network name you chose. If you don't
see your network, click Refresh network list in the upper-left corner. Click
your network, and then click Connect in the lower-right corner.
Windows XP prompts you to enter a key. Type the encryption key that you
wrote down earlier in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes, and
then click Connect.
Windows XP will show its progress as it connects to your network. After
you're connected, you can now close the Wireless Network Connection window.
You're done.
Note: If the Wireless Network Connection window continues to show Acquiring
Network Address, you may have mistyped the encryption key wrong or if you can
see other networks then you are in range of one of your neighbours and just
ignore them.
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Go to your Control Panel. Double click on Network Connections. Network
Connections window will appear. Right click correct Wireless Network Connection
by identifying correct wireless adapter and click Properties. Wireless Network
Connection Properties will appear. Click Wireless Networks tab. Tick Use Windows
to configure my wireless network settings. This will change the wireless adapter
management from wireless adapter configuration software to Windows XP built-in
wireless configuration tool. Click Add to create preferred wireless network. (if
you have a built in wireless connection make sure you disable their software to
configure the internet connection)
Note: Adding preferred networks will detect and join the added wireless
network automatically if available when you restart your computer next time.
For the preferred network setup below, type in your SSID that you wrote down
from your router, network authentication open, data encryption chose
whatever one you chose on the router either WEP or WPA then in the network
key you need to type in exactly the key from the router that you wrote down,
make sure there isn't a key in provide automatically for me, only now can
you hit OK.
After keying wireless network information, click Connection tab, and tick
Connect when this network is in range. The computer should be able to
connect to wireless network when it’s in range.
You can create several networks and arrange the preferred network as
according to your wishes or remove any unused connections from here.
You should now have internet connection on all your computers and laptops.
To share files and your printer too then follow the step 7.
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Check the sides and front of your laptop for an actual switch or button for
turning off/on your wireless connection. If your laptop does not have an
on/off switch you may have a blue function key (lettered fn) on your
keyboard, this key allows keys with blue functions on them to be used. The
wireless function key is usually on the F2 key (look for a picture of a
little radio tower). Pressing the FN button plus the corresponding function
key together can toggle your wireless connection off/on.
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Click on "My Network Places" and choose "Setup a home or small office
network" Then click Next.
Select "This computer connects direct to the internet" when it is your main
pc connected through the router or select "This computer connects to the
Internet through another computer on my network or through a residential
gateway" if you are configuring one of you other wireless pcs and then click
Next.
Enter a description of your computer (something like "Family Room PC" or
"Office Computer"). Next, you'll have to select a name for the computer. This
will be used to identify your computer on the network (like "Computer1", or
"Bobs Computer"). All PCs on a network must have a unique name. Click Next when
finished.
Next to Workgroup name enter the name of your workgroup. This is important
because the workgroup name will also have to match the SSID of your router. A
workgroup name identifies a group of computers on a network. If you plan on
allowing these computers to communicate with each other, the workgroup name must
be the same on all computers and match the router's SSID.
Review the settings you are about to apply. Click Next.
Select "Just finish the wizard" Then click Next. You now do the very same
process on all other pcs or laptops you want to share printer and files with.
Your computer will need to be restarted before the settings take effect.
Once your computer has restarted you will then need to go to the pc with the
printer attached and select printers in control panel and select properties and
click on sharing and enable the printers sharing properties. The same thing
applies to any files you want to share. All you have to do is right click on the
folder you want to share and select a name for it. I suggest you use your "my
documents" folder to right click and share and most file including pics and
music are saved there already. You also need to make sure that all comps are
given access when sharing to be able to change files and folders.
Once you have run the home network on all your computers and laptops then
you can open "My Network Places" and click on "view workgroup computers" to see
all connected computers and laptops. Your files will be automatically safe if
you have setup security encryption on your router in the earlier steps.
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Stewart