Wireless Adapters For Wireless NetworkTechnology is always advancing and where it was once considered quite fanciful to have a computer in the home, it is not surprising nowadays to find a single home with multiple computers networked in order to share data and the internet connection. Computers are rapidly becoming like any other commodity where the elder generation passes them on to the next while getting newer models all the time. This is inevitable as technological keep pushing the prices down making digital components affordable to a wider range of budgets. Having a computer today does not require anyone to be particularly rich and having more than one is not exactly something unique. This results in the creation of the home network. In principle the home network is only different from the traditional network in that it is in someone's home. Technically there is no difference as far as the network itself is concerned. Wireless adapters make it very easy for anyone to set up their own home network without requiring in-depth technical knowledge about networking. The wireless adapter is the central device of the home network. The main connection to the internet goes into the router as usual but the router in this case must be capable of transmitting the necessary signals for the wireless adapter to work. This often means that the router, the device that connects a home to the internet if such a connection is present, must be wireless except for the line connecting it to the net. In the absence of a router there is still a central switch or hub required that will serve as the junction point between the wireless adapters in the home network. In either case, the router or the hub should be placed at a central position relative to the computers in the house so that all wireless adapters receive equivalent signals. The router itself will need connection to a power source so that it can distribute internet connectivity by transmitting and receiving from the various wireless adapters. It is possible to setup a home network using a wireless adapter as a router or hub but then the installation is not as straightforward as it would be if using a router. Once the connections are done the home network needs to be given an identification. For wireless networks this "name" is known as SSID. In order for all wireless adapters to become part of the home network they must all use the same SSID as the router. The wireless adapters must be configured to use the TCP/IP protocol. Once you can access the interface you can go in and enter the SSID. It is also possible to choose the automatic wireless configuration option. This makes it even easier to use wireless networks because you simply have to install and plug in the hardware and switch it on. |