Summary

Chapter 15: Advanced Networks 21After completing this section, you will meet these objectives:■■■Install and configure a wireless NIC.Install and configure wireless routers.Test the connection.Install and Configure a Wireless NICTo connect to a wireless network, your computer must have a wireless network interface. Awireless network interface is used to communicate with other wireless devices, such ascomputers, printers, and wireless access points.Before purchasing a wireless adapter, you should make sure that it is compatible with otherwireless equipment that is already installed on the network. Also, verify that the wirelessadapter is the correct form factor to fit in a desktop or laptop. A wireless USB adapter canbe used with any desktop or laptop computer that has an open USB port.To install a wireless NIC on a desktop computer, you must remove the case cover. Installthe wireless NIC into an available PCI slot or PCI express slot. Some wireless NICs havean antenna connected to the back of the card. Some antennas are attached with a cable sothat they can be moved around or away from objects that may cause a poor connection.After the wireless adapter is installed, you must perform additional configuration steps.These include configuring device drivers and entering network address information. Whenthis is complete, the computer should be able to detect and connect to the wireless LAN.Wireless network adapters may use a wizard to connect to the wireless network. In thiscase, you would insert the CD that comes with the adapter and follow the directions to getconnected.Lab 15.5.1: Install a Wireless NICIn this lab, you install a wireless NIC. Refer to the lab in IT Essentials: PC Hardware andSoftware Labs and Study Guide, Third Edition. You may perform this lab now or wait untilthe end of the chapter.How ToInstall and Configure Wireless RoutersWhen installing a wireless network, you have to decide where you want to put accesspoints, and then configure them. The following steps describe the installation of an accesspoint:Step 1.Use a floor plan to find locations for access points that allow maximum coverage.The best place for a wireless access point is at the center of the area you arecovering, with a line of sight between the wireless devices and the access point.