Even though major wireless networks have become extremely
popular over the years, wireless technology and related terminology remains a
little difficult for many people to understand. This guide will help you build
a small home or small office network.
How to build a Wireless LAN: step by step
You can build a typical wireless home network, also known as
a wireless LAN (WLAN), using this three-step approach:
• identify
which WLAN design is best for your situation;
• choose a
good wireless system (Wi-Fi router, network switch and physical cables);
• applies
the right network configurations to the WLAN
Ready to
go wireless?
you probably have some knowledge already before building a
wireless network rather than building a traditional wired network. Networking
hardware for wireless is much cheaper these days, but there are some conditions
where wireless networks may not be suitable for your needs. If you are unsure
whether a wireless network is really right for you, delve into the limitations
of this technology before deciding on its implementation.
Benefits
Of Wireless
A wireless network offers tangible benefits over a
traditional wired network. Have you ever tried to quickly search for a recipe
while cooking? How would you connect a tablet or smartphone to a network cable?
these are some of the things a wireless network does better than a wired one.
Wireless
Network Terminology
The field of computer networks requires a minimum of
technical skills and some effort to master its terminology correctly. Device
manufacturers, Internet service providers, and network experts tend to use
technical jargon heavily. The wireless networking industry has gradually
improved things by avoiding overly technical terminologies and making products
more consumer friendly and easier to integrate into a home.
When looking for a wireless device to buy or when talking
about wireless networking with friends and family, you need to have a solid
understanding of basic terminology.
The typical port
arrangement of a wi-fi router
What is a
wlan?
A WLAN is a wireless LAN, while a local area network (LAN)
is a corresponding group of networked computers located in physical proximity
or in close nearness to each other.
LANs can be found in many homelands, schools and offices.
While it is technically possible to have more than one LAN in your home, only a
few do.
What is
wi-fi?
Wi-Fi is the industry name for wireless-specific networking
products. You'll find a black and white Wi-Fi logo on a white background as a
certification emblem on virtually any new wireless you purchase.
Technically speaking, Wi-Fi means compliance with the 802.11
family of wireless communication standards. Because all major home wireless
networks use 802.11 standards nowadays, the term Wi-Fi typically distinguishes
wireless more than any wireless network topology.
The Wi-Fi Alliance logo
What 802.11AC, 802.11B / G / N and 802.11A?
802.11ac, 802.11b / g / n, and 802.11a are popular
standards. You can build a wireless network using either of them, but the
802.11AC protocol and Wi-Fi 6 are the newest and fastest, as well as the ones
to be preferred.
What are
wep and wpa?
The security of home networks and small business networks
remains a concern for many. Just as you use a radio or television receiver to
tune into broadcast stations, it is just as close to picking up signals from a
nearby home wireless network. A credit card transaction that happened on the
web may be pure, but imagine your neighbor is spying on you by eavesdropping on
every email or instant message you send.
A few years ago, some technical experts released some
ethical hacking techniques to raise awareness of the vulnerability of WLANs.
With the simple help of some cheap, home-made equipment, these experts demonstrated
the simplicity of intruding into neighbors' wireless networks by simply
intercepting wireless network traffic in the air. Some of them also managed to
access computers on home WLANs, essentially stealing computer resources or
Internet access.
WEP was an important feature of wireless networks that
improved their security. WEP encrypts network traffic mathematically so that
other computers can understand it, but humans cannot read it. WEP technology
became obsolete a few years ago and was replaced by WPA, along with other
security options that have gradually become available. WPA which helps protect
your WLAN from external attacks and, nowadays, all wireless devices support it.
Just because WPA is a feature you can turn on or off, you'll need to make sure
you configure it properly when building your network.
Epoxydude / Getty
Images
Types of
Wireless Equipment
There are five types of equipment for wireless home
networks:
• Adapters
wireless network
• Wireless
access point
• wireless
router
• additional
wireless antennas
• wireless
signal amplifiers
Some of these features are optional and depend on the
configuration of your home network.
Wireless
Network Adapters
Each device that you want to connect to a WLAN must have a
wireless network adapter . A wireless adapter is sometimes also referred to as
a NIC, short for Network Interface Card. Wireless adapters for des-tow
computers are often small PCI cards or USB adapters. wireless adapters for
laptop computers are now always integrated inside, as well as inside
smartphones and tablets.
The adapters wireless network contain a transmitter and a
receiving antenna wireless receivers floor and receive messages, translate
them, format them no and typically organize the flow of information between the
computer and the network. Determining how many wireless network adapters need
to be purchased is the first decision to make when building your home network.
Check the technical stipulations of your computers if you are unsure if they
come with a built-in wireless adapter.
Access
Point Wireless
A wireless access point acts as a central communication
action on the WLAN. In fact, there are some devices called base stations.
Access points are thin and light boxes with a series of LED lights on the
front.
Access points combine a wireless LAN with an existing wired
Ethernet network . Typically, you install an Access Point when you already have
a broadband router and want to get wireless computers to their current
configuration. You must use both an access point and a wireless ruin to
implement this hybrid form of wired and wireless networking. Otherwise, you
perhaps don't need an access point.
Radio
Router
A wireless router is an admission point but it performs many
other useful functions. like wired broadband routers, radio routers also
support technologies like Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and include
firewall technologies to enhance network security. The wireless router greatly
resemble access points.
A key benefit of both access points and wireless routers is
scalability. Their built-in transceiver can spread the signal throughout the
house. A household WLAN with a router or access point can spread the signal to
every corner of the house and its neighboring rooms, for example, compared to a
wired network that has limitations. Similarly, wireless home networks with a
router or access point support many more computers than traditional ones. If
your wireless LAN includes a router or access point, you must configure all
your network adapters in a mode called infrastructure; otherwise you have to
configure them in a mode called ad-hoc.
The wireless routers are a good choice to build their first
wireless network maid. It is important to know how to choose the right hardware
before starting.
How to build a home
wi-fi network
Wireless
Antennas
The network adapter wireless access point Wi-Fi routers all
utilize an antenna to assist in receiving signals on the WLAN. some wireless
antennas, such as those found on the adapters, are located inside the unit.
Other antennas, such as those found on many Access Points, are visible
externally.
The normal antennas included with wireless products ensure
sufficient reception in many cases, but you can also optionally install an
optional additional antenna to improve reception. Generally, this type of
adjustment is made after completing the configuration of the first basic system
of your home network, checking reception in every corner of the house, using a
wireless client, such as a smartphone.
Wireless
Signal Amplifiers
Some Wi-Fi router wireless access point manufacturers also
sell additional equipment called signal amplifiers. A Wi-Fi signal amplifier
serves to increase the power of the transmitting base station. You can also use
a Wi-Fi signal booster and additional antenna together to enhance both
transmission and reception simultaneously on your wireless network.
Both the antenna and the signal amplifier can be useful
additions for some home networks after the basic components have been correctly
placed. In fact, they can guarantee the necessary coverage to computers out of
range, including them in the range of your WLAN and can even, in some cases,
even improve network performance.
Wlan
Configurations
To maximize the functionality of your network, you need to
be able to answer the following questions:
do you want to extend your wired homebased network with a
WLAN or are you building a whole new net?
How many wireless processers do you plan to connect to the
network and where in the house will they be located?
What network operating systems will run on your schmoosed
computers?
Do you need to share your Net connection between your
wireless computers? What other ways will you use your W Lanna? For file
sharing? For online video games?
Install a
Wireless Router
A wireless router typically supports only one WLAN. Use a
radio router on your network if:
• you're
structure your first homebased network
• you
poverty to rebuild your home network to be completely wireless
• you want
to keep your WLAN connection as simple as possible
Try installing your wireless router in a central location
within the home. The way Wi-Fi networks work requires computers to be as close
as possible to wireless routers (generally in the same room or otherwise
nearby) to achieve better network speeds than more distant computers.
Connect a wireless router to a power outlet and optionally
to an Internet connectivity source. All modern wireless routers are generally
equipped with broadband modems . In addition, since wireless routers contain an
integrated Access point, then also connect a wired router, a switch to or an
Abba.
Choose a name for the network. In Wi-Fi networks, the
network name is often called the SSID . Although your Wi-Fi router has a
default name, it is preferable to change it for security reasons. To do this,
read the product documentation, also to find out what the default name of your
wireless router is. Your router and all computers on your WLAN must share the
same SSID .
Follow the Wi-Fi router documentation to enable WPA security,
enable Firewall features, and set any other recommended parameters.
Install
a Wireless Access Point
A wireless access point supports only one WLAN. Use a radio
access point on your home network if:
• you don't
need any additional functionality beyond what a wireless router offers
• you are
extending a wired Ethernet home network
• You have,
or think you will have in the future, four or more wireless computers scattered
around the house
Install your Access Point in a central place, if possible,
connect it to power and a broadband Internet connection. Also connect with a
cable your Access point to your LAN router, socket or hub.
You probably don't have to configure a firewall, but you
still need to set a network name and enable the WPA protocol on your Access
point at this point.
Configure
a Wireles adapter
Setting up your adapters after setting up your wireless
router or access point is the next step immediately. A Wi-Fi adapter requires a
TCP / IP network to be installed on the Host computer.
Each manufacturer guarantees the availability of
configuration utilities for their adapters. On the Windows operating system,
for sample, adapters generally have their own GUI-based configuration utility
accessible from the start menu or from the taskbar after installing the
hardware. The GUI is where you can set the network name (SSID) and enable WPA.
You can also set some other parameters.
All your wireless adapters must use the same setting
parameters in order for your WLAN to function properly.
Set up an
Ad-Hoc home network
Each Wi-Fi adapter requires you to choose between an
infrastructure mode network (also called Access point mode in some
configuration utilities) and an ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) wireless mode. sets each
wireless adapter to infrastructure mode . In this way, the wireless adapters
will automatically detect their WLAN channel number to intercept the access
point (router).
Alternatively, set all your wireless adapters to use ad hoc
mode. When you demean this mode, you will see separate location of the chosen
Wi-Fi channel number.
All
adapters on your local LAN need the same channel number.
The WLAN configurations of an ad hoc home network work well
in situations with only a few computers located very close to each other. You
can also use this setup as an alternative option should your Access point or
Wi-Fi router break.
Configure the software for Internet connection sharing
Internet connection can also be shared within an ad-hoc
wireless network. To do this, determine which of your computers is acting as the
Host (which will actually play the replacement role of a Wi-Fi router). That
CPU will keep the modem connection and will need to be turned on whenever you
want to use the network. Microsoft Windows offers a eye called Internet
Connection Sharing (ICS) that works on ad-hoc WLANs .
Interference
from wireless signals in the house
When installation a Wi-Fi router or access point, beware of
sign interference from other household appliances. In particular, do not
install the unit up to microwave ovens (in general they must be positioned at
least one to 3m away). Other common sources of wireless interference come from
2.4 GHz cordless phones, baby monitors, gate remotes, and other home automation
or home automation devices.
If you live in a household with thick walls, built of brick
or brick, or with a lot of metal infrastructure, you may have a hard time
maintaining a strong signal between rooms. Wi-Fi supports a signal range of up
to approximately 100m, but physical barriers reduce this range substantially.
Obstructions can affect all 802.11 infrastructures (802.11 to other radio
devices at 5 GHz or more than 2.4 GHz).
Wireless
Router / Access Point: Interference from outside
In densely settled areas, it is not uncommon for wireless
signals from other people's home networks to interfere with our network. This
problem occurs frequently especially in city apartments, where communication
channels conflict. Fortunately, when setting up a Wi-Fi router, you can change
the channel number your device uses. Some more sophisticated Wi-Fi routers are
able to automatically calibrate the given channel by monitoring interference
from the various channels in real time and positioning themselves on the best
one.
MAC
ADDRESS filter
The wireless router modern support a feature called Media
Access Control security (MAC) for filtering the addresses that connect to the
device. This feature lets you to register wireless adapters with your Wi-Fi
router and force the unit to reject communications from any wireless device
that is not on your list. MAC address filter combined with strong Wi-Fi signal
encryption (ideally WPA2) ensures a good level of safety protection.
Wireless adapter outlines
Many wireless adapters provision a feature called profiles
that allows you to set up a number of different WLAN configurations. for
example, you can create a Doctor configuration for your home WLAN and a
configuration profile for infrastructure mode , alternating between the two
different profiles depending on whether you are at home or in the agency.
Set up more than one profile on each computer you plan to
use to move between your home network and any other WLAN; the time it takes
will help you save a lot more later.
Wireless
Security
Among the possible options that you will see by activating a
security profile for your home wireless network , the WPA2 standard must be
given utmost importance. Some devices may not support this high level of
security, however. Ordinary WPA still works well on many networks and is an
acceptable alternative to WPA2, although not entirely recommended. In any case,
avoid using the outdated WEP technology, even if it were the last resort
available. The WEP standard does not offer a minimum level of protection
against intrusion.
To set up radio security, choose a method and assign a long
numeric code called a key as well as a keyword on your Wi-Fi router and all
your devices. The same security settings must be configured on both the router
and the client device for the wireless connection to work properly. Keep your
password safe, also because any attacks from the outside will be possible if
you know this specific security code or word.
General advice
If you've finished installing all the components, but your
home wireless network is working fine, try to solve the problem methodically:
can't reach the internet? Temporarily disable the firewall
to determine what the potential firewall configuration issue is or other
potential issues.
Similarly, activate and test your 1 × 1 wireless adapters to
determine if the problem is isolated to a single computer or common to all of
them.
Try an ad hoc wireless network setup if infrastructure mode
isn't working and you may be able to identify a problem with your Wi-Fi access
point or router.
To help you work methodically, as you build your network,
write down key settings such as the network name, security keyword, MAC
address, and Wi-Fi channel numbers on a piece of paper.
Don't worry about making mistakes - every setting on your
WLAN is changeable at any time.
Don't be too surprised if your network performance doesn't
reach the ideal numbers dedicated by device manufacturers. For example,
although 802.11g devices technically support a bandwidth of 54 Mbps, which is
the theoretical maximum number of devices that can be achieved, in many
conditions that value remains only on paper. In fact, a significant amount of
Wi-Fi network bandwidth is consumed just to ensure that controls over the
network cease. Expect to see no more than half of the maximum guaranteed
bandwidth on your home network - for example for a 54 Mbps connection, expect
realistically to see no more than 20 Mbps.
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