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Wireless Zone - Tiscali.co.uk

Untangling your home

Install a wireless network at home and the possibilities are endless. A Wi-Fi system accessing your broadband connection allows you to do everything that you already do on your desktop PC: listening to streaming radio stations, watching movie clips or even video-conferencing with a web cam. Beyond that, you can share music and photo files, play games or even print from almost anywhere in your house and garden.

Don't be put off by thinking a Wi-Fi system is difficult to set up: it isn't. We'll assume that you're starting with a broadband internet connection (either ADSL or a cable modem) and a laptop with a wirelss network adapter installed.

The only additional purchase you'll need to make is a wireless access point/router (under £100), which connects to your broadband internet connection. Make sure that all wireless components are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED* and are compatible with one another. Products with 802.11b and 802.11g capabilities will work together, but you'll only attain the fastest connection speeds if both have 802.11g or, even better: 802.11n functionality.

A home Wi-Fi system should reach two or three rooms away (including upstairs) from where you set up the access point, but this can vary if you have thick walls or lots of electronic equipment in between. The speed of your internet connection will also tail off as you move further from the access point.

Now run the software that comes with your router to set up your network, not forgetting to enable the security settings, such as setting passwords and turning on WEP encryption. Your router may come with a firewall to help prevent unauthorised access to your network, but if not, you should certainly consider buying home security software.

Once you're up and running, why not think about expanding your network? Connecting a desktop computer or another notebook isn't too tricky, although you may need to buy an additional network card. And if you're fed up with your printer clattering away in the office, a wireless printer server will let you place it almost anywhere in your home.

Now that you've unwired your home, step out and explore the possibilities of public hotspots. Why not have a look at where you'll be able to hook-up to a wireless network with this handy Hotspot Locator.

Check out our step-by-step guide to set up your home network.

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