Wireless Networking Basics

Getting started with wireless networking for business
By Jamie Belanger, Computer Technician & Marketing 1-800-905-GEEK (Geeks on Call) Wireless networking first appeared on the scene in 1997, and has since become the most popular means of setting up small business networks. All you need to get up and running is an Internet connection from your local ISP, a wireless router and some wireless adapters. Knowing some details about the type of equipment on the market will help you decide what to purchase. The most common wireless standards in use today are Wireless-B (802.11b), Wireless-G (802.11g), and Wireless-N (802.11n). Wireless-B is the older protocol and is being phased out. Wireless-G is the most prevalent. Wireless-N is the newest standard for high speed Wi-Fi. Most new equipment is still backwards compatible with the older protocols.
 

These are the wireless networking basics you'll need to know to get your office WLAN network up and running:

1. Use Wireless-G as your wireless networking solution if you have a small office network without any large bandwidth requirements.
2. Purchase 802.11n wireless networking equipment if your network needs to handle high-bandwidth activities like VoIP or heavy downloading.
3. Secure your office WLAN network to prevent bandwidth theft and protect your business
   

Choose Wireless-G for business wireless networking in a small office environment

In spite of operating at a lower speed and without the range of the new Wireless-N devices, Wireless-G wireless networking products are a great choice because they are affordable and dependable. The best-reviewed Wireless-G router is the Linksys Wireless-G broadband router with SpeedBooster (WRT54GS).
Try: Pick up the Linksys Wireless-G router at Wal-Mart for under $50. Take advantage of the Linksys SpeedBooster technology by purchasing the matching wireless USB adapters at Newegg. You're not limited to just the Linksys adapters, however. Any Wireless-G USB adapter will work.

Use Wireless-N WLAN equipment for superior speed and range in a large office

Although more expensive, 802.11n wireless networking solutions give you 14x the speed and 6x the range of 802.11g devices. This is great if you're in a large office complex, or if your network needs to be able to handle a large number of users or heavy-bandwidth activities. One of the best Wireless-N routers on the market is the D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme wireless router.
Try: Order the D-Link Wireless-N router from TigerDirect for around $100. You'll need Wireless-N network adapters to take advantage of the capabilities of your network, although the router is backwards compatible with older standards. Purchase the adapters online at Geeks.com.

Make sure you've secured your office WLAN network

You've chosen the right equipment for your needs, and managed to get it set up and running. Before you do anything else, you need to make sure that you correctly secure your wireless networking hardware. This is vital for the protection of your business and your bandwidth.
Try: Tippit has written an excellent guide describing how to secure a wireless network. In addition, Microsoft provides 10 tips for improving the range and strength of your wireless network.

• If you rely predominantly on laptops to run your business, most of them still come from the manufacturer with 802.11b or 802.11g internal wireless networking hardware. If you wanted to take advantage of the increased speed over a Wireless-N network, you would have to add an external adapter. USB adapters are ungainly on a laptop, but most laptops have a PCI or ExpressCard slot. You can purchase Wireless-N Cardbus or ExpressCard adapters from any of the online retailers listed above.