Wireless networking made easy with Windows 7

With the release of Microsoft® Windows® 7, wireless networking is easy. All you need is a wireless interface adapter and a router or access point, and you can be connected to nearby computers and to the Internet in a few minutes.

1.    Get your equipment
First you need a wireless access point (WAP) or wireless router. Computers and other wireless devices connect through this to one another and to the Internet. You also need a wireless network interface adapter (wireless card) that is compatible to the WAP or router. If you have a notebook PC, it may be built in. You can add a wireless adapter to a computer as an internal expansion card (for example, a PCI card) or as an external adapter that plugs into a PC card slot or USB port. You should also have a high-speed Internet connection, if possible.

Wireless computers and other devices communicate using signals that go over the airwaves, usually using satellite, WiMAX, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®. To connect computers and devices within an area the size of a house or office, the best method is Wi-Fi.

Connect the computer you are using with a cable if necessary to the WAP and configure your WAP or wireless router by entering its Internet Protocol (IP) address into the address box of a web browser. A login page appears and asks for a password. Most WAP/router vendors provide wizards to help with setting up your device.

2.    Secure your wireless network
Select a security method, for example encryption, to protect your network from intruders. All the computers on your network must use the same encryption type.

When you enable an encryption method, the password must be entered into each computer that is configured to connect to the wireless network.

You can increase security by changing the default administrative password and disabling the service set identifier (SSID); or you can enable media access control (MAC) filtering, where you enter the addresses of computers to which you allow access.

If you have a wired network, put your WAP or wireless router outside the firewall.

3.    Connect the computer to the wireless network
Make sure your wireless network adapter is on. In Windows 7, near the right end of the taskbar, click the Wi-Fi icon. A list of available wireless networks appears. Click the name of the network to which you want to connect, then click “Connect”. If you enabled encryption, enter the security key or password. The available networks icon should now indicate a connected status.