Setting up a wireless network
To set up a wireless home network, you will need a wireless modem router, which becomes the heart of your wireless network. You will also need a wireless adapter for each computer or home network device you want to connect to your wireless home network. Many new laptops already have one built in.
Once you have your hardware for a wireless home network, you will need to set up your modem router.
Using the setup guide or Easy Installer, set up your modem router for broadband access and then enable wireless.
You will need to choose the following for your wireless home networks:
- A name for your wireless network, referred to in most modem routers as an SSID. This will make it easier to identify your network in the event that a neighbour also has a wireless home network
- A password to help keep your network private, also known as a passphrase. This should be between 8 and 64 characters in length for best compatibility between modem routers and wireless adapters (eg 1234thomas567)
Note: Configuration of the modem router should be done with a wired connection.
Once you have configured your wireless modem router and it is working over a wired connection, you can move to setting up you computer to connect to your wireless network.
We offer technical support for the following types of wireless adapters:
- Card adapter that plugs in to the side of your laptop (PCMCIA)
- USB adapter that plugs in to an available USB port on your computer
- Centrino-enabled laptop, where the adapter is already built into the laptop
With the above, you can now install your wireless adapter (if not already installed) using the CD that was supplied with it.
Once installed, you can configure your computer to join your wireless network. Start by searching/scanning for wireless networks using the wireless adapter software and looking for your selected wireless network name. Click on Connect and you will be asked for your wireless network password. You will only need to do this once, as the computer will remember your wireless home network each time it starts and will connect automatically.
Repeat the installation and set up of your wireless adapter for every computer you want to connect to your wireless home network.
All of our supported wireless modem routers have at least one wired port, so you can connect both wirelessly and wired at the same time.
Cannot connect to your wireless network?
It is possible you are getting interference in your home from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, video senders or your neighbours' wireless networks. These tips help improve wireless performance, specifically by changing your wireless channel.
Improving wireless range
The distance your wireless network will reach depends on several factors:
- Where you place your wireless modem router
- How many walls between your computer and the wireless modem router
- What the walls are made out of
- Interference from other wireless devices in the home (eg cordless phones, baby monitors, video senders)
- Interference from other wireless networks
Tips for improving your wireless performance and range:
1. Make sure the antenna is on tight on the back of your modem router
2. Place your modem router as high in your house as possible (eg upstairs study)
3. Try not to place your modem router on top of other electrical equipment
4. Change the channel of your wireless network (only do this if you are having problems)
5. Avoid placing your modem router and computer behind large objects
6. Try moving the aerial on your modem router. It does not have to face upwards.
Some manufacturers have wireless hardware that uses special but proprietary wireless technology to improve range and throughput. These are not standard technologies and may cause compatibility issues.
How to change the channel of your wireless network
Wireless home networks use one of 13 channels. The default for most homes works fine but some homes may suffer from interference and a different channel would help. No channel is any better than others.
Many modem routers allow you to change the channel of your wireless network. You should do this if you are having problems connecting to your wireless network or keep losing your wireless connection to the modem router.
Using Microsoft Internet Explorer, type in the address of your modem router (see documentation that came with your modem router). This is typically four sets of numbers separated by dots (eg 192.168.0.1).
Under wireless setup, change the wireless channel to 1, 6 or 13 depending on your current setting.
Remember to save your new setting on your modem router.