Configuring your broadband connection to be wireless throughout your home

Question: How can I configure my broadband connection to be wireless throughout my home?

Answer: To set up your internet connection wirelessly you will need a wireless router as well as a compatible wireless card in your computer. There are 3 primary standards for wireless connectivity: a, b, and g. Wireless ‘g’ is currently the fastest but ‘a’ has the potential to be improved upon. If you want the computer and router to communicate, they both have to use the same standard either a, b, or g. The next step is to configure the router to make use of your internet connection. Be sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully when attempting to configure a router. Find out from your ISP what type of broadband connection you’re getting (static IP, PPPoE, DHCP, etc.). Once you have configured the router to use the internet, enable the radio that broadcasts the wireless connection. Be sure to make use of the security (WEP or WPA) with password protection; otherwise you might be sharing your internet with your neighbors! Once the router is sending the signal, make sure that the wireless network card in the computer is enabled and looking for a signal. Both Mac OSX and Windows XP come with wireless network utilities, or you may need to use the software that came with the card. Once the network card and the software can see the wireless signal you should be able to simply enter your password and be connected. There are many minor complications that can make setting up a wireless home network difficult. If you run into any of these difficulties, MLI Network Services Division can assist in making your wireless home network both functional and secure.

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