Wireless Advice

Have you just brought a laptop and want to roam around your home and still be connected to the internet? Or do you want to add more computers to your existing internet connection without all the trailing wires? Then a wireless network is for you.
But what brand do you go for? What technology is right for you (wireless G or Pre-N)? Should you keep the default settings that came with the router? Where in your home should you position your router for best performance? Will your laptop or desktop computer need any upgrades to connect wirelessly?

The questions can become endless, so we have created a section dedicated to advice on wireless networking.

So first off, what brand SHOULD YOU GO FOR?
We have dealt with many different brands and would recommend the three following brands: 3Com, Linksys and Belkin. These three brands we have found to be reliable and are easy to set up. Instructions are easy to follow and the signal range we find to be suitable for the average user. Netgear devices are also relatively good products but we have found that signal strength can be an issue (depending on what device you are using).

What standard is RIGHT FOR YOU?
Wireless B/G devices have been around for a while but the new PRE-N devices that are stacking the selves are becoming more and more popular. If you are the average internet user then PRE-N devices wont be much of an advantage to you, as wireless G devices can deliver up to 54MB/s download speed (this will be for inside your house when communicating to other devices on the network, your ISP speed will not change), which is ample for normal internet surfing. But if you like to download lots of music, stream media across the internet or your home network then PRE-N would most suit you. PRE-N goes over the 100MB/s speed and so would stream media and VOIP signals faster and would extend the range to all over the home, leaving fewer restrictions as to where you can place your computer.

Should you keep the default settings that came with your router?
If your router was supplied by your ISP then this section does not matter as much as your ISP would have already set up the security on the router. If you have bought your wireless router from a shop then you should not keep the factory settings, as this opens up your home computer to passers by and so would compromise your data that is kept on your network. Setting up security on your router is a must for all cases, as this will greatly reduce the chances of hackers gaining access to your network. The best security settings is having WPA (WiFi Protected Access) encryption, hiding the wireless SSID (Service Set IDentifier) and disabling DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) on your router as this will hide your network to the average passer by.

Where in your home should you position your router for the best performance?
Your router should be positioned in a central location in your home, as this maximizes the wireless coverage that your home has. Your router sends the wireless signals in all directions so if you put the router on an outside wall then half of the signal is being wasted already.

Will your laptop or desktop computer need any upgrades to connect wirelessly?
If you have purchased your laptop within the last 3 years then you probably won't need to buy any upgrades, but if your laptop is older then you will most likely need to buy a wireless card for your laptop, it can be either a USB stick or a PCMICA card, both coming in quite cheap. Unless you are going to use a network cable to connect your computer to the router then you will need to buy a wireless card. Wireless G cards are quite cheap to buy but if you are going for the PRE-N standard then set yourself back between sixty and eighty pounds, expensive but if you are going to stream media through your home then the benefits should out-weigh the cost. Installing laptop wireless is quite simple as it is just either slotting the PCMICA card into a spare card slot or by plugging in the USB into a spare slot. It's the same principle if you are buying a USB stick for your computer. If you are buying a PCI wireless card then you will need to open up your computer and install it, making sure that you discharge yourself from any static electricity by earthing yourself. Make sure that you follow the installation instructions of the device as some will ask you to install the hardware before installing the drivers and will ask to install the hardware after.

If you need more advice or would like us to come and install your wireless network for you then please don't hesitate to contact us by clicking on the "Contact Us" link above.