Now a days having a wireless network available to you is more normal than abnormal. Many reasons have led to this change, one being cost. It is very cost effective so set up a wireless network as opposed to a wired network.
Because of the rise in wireless network popularity, more and more computer manufacturers are equipping their systems with the right wireless networking hardware. I am going to discuss 3 big points, wireless networking in laptops, desktops, and also the software on these machines
So we start off with a very important question – Is your laptop or home computer wireless enabled? This is how you can check if your computer has wireless capabilities or not.
Laptops
Many newer laptops have wireless networking capabilities already built in to them. If you laptop came with the hardware built inside of it, then all you need to do is make sure it is enabled and the button on the front (usually) of the laptop is lit up. If a wireless PCMI card is needed in the laptop computer, then make sure it is compatible with your brand of computer first. When you install it, make sure you have the driver disk associated with the hardware, and that it’s driver matches what version of Windows you have.
Desktop Computers
If you need to check to see if your desktop computer has a wireless connection, turn off the computer and turn it around and look for a rod sticking out near the bottom of the tower. This would be the wireless antenna just like an antenna would be on a radio. If you see nothing like this then your desktop probably does not have a wireless card installed in the PCI slot. So buy one that matches the version of Windows that you have on the desktop.
Windows to check the Wireless Capacity
Once everything is installed on your laptop or desktop you want to use windows to check the wireless capacity to make sure the settings are correct. Open up the Device Manager in Windows. Look for the network adapters + sign and click it. Look for something under there that should have the term “wireless” attached to it. If you see that there then you know everything has been configured correctly and all you need to do is connect to the available wireless network.
By: mark dewolf
Posts Tagged ‘Network Adapters’
3 Home Wireless Network Points
January 27th, 2010Home Networking
December 11th, 2009Setting up Your Home Network
As society and technology change, it’s becoming common for homes to have more than one computer. When an existing computer is a few years old, parents will often take advantage of today’s lower prices, purchase a new computer, and pass the old one down to the kids.
Suddenly, there’s a need for a home network, so all computers in the house can share an files, printers and an Internet connection. Fortunately, setting up a basic home network is not rocket science. To start, you’ll need a router which becomes the central point of your network. Most office and electronics stores offer home networking kits with a router, ethernet (network) adapters and CAT-5 networking cable.
If your computer was assembled in the past five years, it probably already has an ethernet adapter. Check the back of the system unit for a port that looks like a telephone jack, but slightly bigger. » Read more: Home Networking
The Benefits of Completing a Network Audit
October 20th, 2009The benefits of completing a network audit on your computer network are numerous. Not only does it help keep your computer network at optimal condition through analyzing power consumption, needed equipment upgrades or security issues, but can help establish an asset base and future cash flow needs for equipment and office space planning.
Typically, the benefits of completing a network audit can keep you informed of versions of software and licenses to help detect shortages or plan mass upgrades. Network audits can locate hard drives, network adapters, CPU details, motherboard specifications and peripherals and detect security issues, such as where antivirus or firewalls need to be installed.
Typically, one of the benefits of completing a network audit is to give you a comprehensive, no-hassle network inventory database that is extremely helpful in determining future needs when it comes to hardware and software. Another benefit of a network audit, is analyzing security needs, which is especially important to keep from costly downtime, or complete data loss, especially on large and scattered out networks.
Since many networks are built over a period of time by adding additional offices, computers and software, it can become difficult to determine whether upgrades will be easy and affordable or costly and lengthy, if you don’t have a network audit. Sometimes, cost is a factor when thinking about upgrades, keeping up with new technology and a network audit can give a full picture of future needs in keeping your network efficient.
Certain businesses have government regulations in place that require them to protect secured and private information, such as credit card numbers, or whether your emails should be encrypted, for example. Depending on your business, a security breach could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if a hacker gets hold of confidential information that was entrusted to you for a transaction from a customer.
Through a network audit, any possible areas where breaches could occur can be uncovered and dealt with. In a time where so much business is transacted over the Internet, security is of utmost importance, and the benefits of a network audit can help ensure that you are in compliance with protecting information, especially if you transmit financial transactions electronically.
Network audit can analyze physical networks, such as routers, telecom equipment, network switches and ports, as well as audit capacity management, configurations and network database populations, in the case of remote users. A network audit should be performed by an expert in the field that have in-depth telecom knowledge and comprehensive network audit experience.
This is not a field for amateurs, although there are some programs on the market that are do-it-yourself network audit software packages, which might be fine for a small office or home network audit.
If you have a number of computers or locations, a more comprehensive network audit would be needed to get sound advice on assets, upgrades, future needs and technological advancement options, in addition to security needs.
The benefits of completing a network audit are many, but they are necessary to assess future expenses and security breach weaknesses for businesses that handle sensitive information electronically.
By: Derek Rogers
