Chapter 6. Setting Up Wireless Connections

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding How Wireless Networking Works

• What You Need To Set Up a Wireless Network

• Setting Up a Wireless Network

• How To Ensure Wireless Network Security

Many people have more than one computer and want to share resources, such as a printer or an Internet connection. To do so, you could set up a regular network, physically connecting the different components (using phone lines, for instance). Networking in this method is covered in Chapter 24. For more convenience, though, you might set up a wireless network.

As another example, if you use a laptop computer and want to be able to connect to the Internet from anywhere in your house or office, you might consider a wireless network. With a laptop and wireless connections, you can also connect to the Internet at cafés, airports, hotels, educational institutes, and other places.

This section gives you an overview of how wireless networks operate and explains the equipment you need to get set up. If you are interested in a wireless network, you can get a good idea of what you need to accomplish to set up this type of network in your home.