Making your Computers Wireless Ready
Wireless Networking transmits data by radio waves at frequencies around 2.4HMz, a different wavelength to TV and radio signals. Setting up a wireless network is very straightforward, and once you're used to it, you'll never look back.

Wireless Network Interface Cards.

Wireless networking is supported by Windows 98SE, Me and XP and is particularly easy on the latter.

For desktop PCs simply install a wireless network adaptor card (left) such as the NetComm NP5420. For a notebook, an NP5430 Wireless PC card will do the trick. Install the drivers from the CD-ROM and you're 'on the air'.

 

Wireless Range and Reach

An 802.11g wireless signal can cover up to 150 metres in every direction - subject to some constraints. 

First, it won't travel through sandstone walls. The signal will sometimes penetrate brick and concrete walls, but these will affect signal strength and consistent network performance will not be assured. Wireless signals will penetrate normal internal walls and partitions without difficulty.

Second, it is best not to situate a wireless unit on the floor or under a desk. A wireless signal is far more likely to encounter multiple obstacles at floor level and is therefore better placed on top of a desk. 

Third, the signal can be affected by metal objects, such as heating oil tanks, and some electrical equipment, such as microwave ovens and cordless phones. Generally these obstacles can be overcome by moving the wireless units around until the best location is found. 

Finally, wireless networking is rate-adaptive, which means that if the signal strength is affected by distance or obstacles, the connection may slow. So a signal operating at the extremes of its range or traveling through obstacles might operate more slowly.

Creating an Ad Hoc Network

With wireless cards installed, it is simple to create an 'Ad Hoc Network'. An Ad-Hoc wireless network does not require a central hub or switch to share files and Internet. And an Ad-Hoc network can easily accommodate the numbers of computers typically found in small office and home networks.

An Ad-Hoc wireless network is initiated in Windows Control Panels -> Network Connections ->Wireless Network -> Wireless Network Properties.

From here, enter your SSID - that's the name you decide to give your network, and stands for Station Set Identifier.

Once you have set up one computer for wireless networking, go to Windows Control Panels-> Network Connections and follow the on-screen prompts to establish a connection. Use Windows File Sharing to establish a link between computers, and Internet Connection Sharing to share Internet resouces.

..Wireless home