Found everywhere from college campuses to coffee shops, Wi-Fi networks have become commonplace in today’s society. Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity and refers to a wireless network for computers and other Internet-capable devices. Using radiofrequency radiation to transmit information between computers and routers, Wi-Fi bears many similarities with cell phones and other forms of two-way radio communication.
Basic Requirements - A mobile device such as a laptop should have a wireless card or built-in adapter to be able to take advantage of using Wi-Fi. Newer laptops have built-in wireless cards; however, in older models you can use a wireless adapter to hook into a USB port or a wireless card that plugs into a PCI card slot. Desktop computers and printers that do not have wireless cards can also get USB wireless adapters to connect to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports. A desktop computer usually also has a PCI slot where a wireless card can plug in. A wireless router acts as a gateway to the main access point. This wireless router connects to a wired Ethernet that provides the Internet connection; therefore, a router should have a port that can connect to a cable or DSL modem. Configure the wireless router with the default or basic settings required. An SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of the network. This has a default setting with the manufacturer's name. You can opt to keep that name or change it any way you want. You would also need to configure the router with the channel, which is typically channel 6 by default. You can change this setting to prevent interference if you live in a multi-unit building. You will also need to configure the router's security option. You can opt to use the standard or publicly available sign-on; however, doing so may raise the risk of hacking or network intrusion. It is therefore beneficial to use a user name and password to help protect your wireless network.