How do you set up a home network?

Question

I've been using wifi at my house for years now, but its never been password protected, and it keeps disconnecting and stuff. I'd like to know how to set up a network properly. I should mention that I have a desktop that has to be connected by ethernet. 2 laptops that are wireless. And a PS3, also wireless.

ps. a link would be ideal.

Also, the desktop and one laptop is on XP, the other laptop is on Vista.

Answer 1

The best link is your router's interface and website.

To check, access the settings of your wireless router by opening your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) and typing in the right IP address, for example:

Linksys, Trendnet IP is http://192.168.1.1
Netgear, D-Link IP is http://192.168.0.1
Belkin, USRobotics IP is http://192.168.2.1

Enter the default or your unique username and password. Then, look for the security settings for your wireless connection and set it to “WPA” or “WPA-PSK, TKIP” and make your own passphrase.

Then, in Windows, double click on your laptop's wireless connection's icon in the system tray and connect manually to the now "secure wireless network" entering the passphrase that you set up in the router.

TIP: If WPA isn't an option, use WEP, it isn't secure, but is better than nothing.

Still stuck? Look in the wireless router's manual to learn how to secure your connection, if still stuck, call the router manufacturer.

Answer 2

I took a class in Basic Home Networking at the local community college. The class cost me sixteen weeks at three hours a week and I learned a little bit more about networking.

I do not have all the necessities for my own network, but I feel capable to follow the instructions in the textbook that I saved from college.

The book is
"Home Networking Simplified: An illustrated home networking handbook for the everyday user."
by Jim Doherty and Neil Anderson
ciscopress.com
ISBN 1-58720-136-4

Answer 3

Linksys has some very good tutorials on this on their web site. Click on "Learning Center" at http://www.linksys.com/