General help in understanding wireless internet setup/issues

[NotSoGeeky]

I am considering signing up for broadband. My main concern, though, is being able to get everything connected and working properly instead of missing a step and being without Internet for a week or two as another part is shipped or a mistake that I made causes problems.

So, what I would appreciate if you experts wouldn't mind, is answering some questions and giving me a rundown of the possibilities/issues that I may have to deal with for my specific situation so that I won't freak out over something small if it happens. (I live in the United States in case that has any affect on any of the processes.)

I have two PC's and a laptop and they just happen to be at opposite corners of the house. I will (I assume that I *have* to) be going with wireless Internet.



1. I have a phone-connected alarm system and several phones, so I have been told that a technician will have to do some external set up. Will I have to be involved in this at all?

2. I assume that the modem will plug into one of the computers (correct me if I am wrong), and software installed to get that one working, but what is involved with the others (in particular the laptop) so that it can receive a signal and I can walk around with it?

3. Does the wireless modem being plugged into one computer mean that the computer has to be turned on/running any time that I want to use one of the other computers?

4. I was told that I may have to buy something to extend the Internet signal. I assume this just plugs into an outlet somewhere?

5. Isn't one of the big concerns about wireless Internet that others can use your signal and even take hijack your computer with it? How would I protect myself against that if possible?

6. After this is done, what is involved in being able to use a public signal with my laptop (like in an Internet café)?



I'm sure that I have had other questions about this, but I cannot think of them right now. I would be grateful for any help that you can give.

[T600_Series]

Hi there,

Since you have three computers you will need to purchase for all three wireless network cards if the computers don't have any wireless cards already installed. I am thinking you might just have to buy two, probably your laptop comes with an integrated one already. To make sure, check your laptop.

The broadband technician will come to your location and install a device(cable modem/DSL modem), a device that will let you access the internet. You most likely will need to purchase a wireless router and hook the broadband device to that router. This way, the wireless router will provide internet access to all of your three computers.

The device you are speaking of that extends the internet signal is a wireless range extender. If you have a humangous, large house then you can purchase a couple of wireless range extenders.

Yes, people can steal your wireless connection ONLY IF YOU DON'T ENCRYPT YOUR NETWORK CONNECTION. Encrypt your wireless network using WPA not WEP. You can google the terms and read all about them

I have had great experiences with Linksys products, specially the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. Pretty good router and it doesn't cost a fortune. I recommend www.newegg.com for buying computer equipment and good deals.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

[DavidHB]

Just to add to what T600_Series said, all of which, I believe is correct.

You plug your broadband modem into the router, and then connect the computers, wirelessly or by network cable, to the router. So you don't have to leave a computer on to maintain the internet connection for the others.

Most wireless routers also provide Ethernet ports. If you can use a wired connection for one or more of your computers, I'd advise you to do so, as wired connections are faster and more reliable. You can have a mix of wired and wireless connections in the same network.

Hope this helps,

David

[alpenadiver]

Also when going wireless, make sure to change the default username and password on the router. Also set the router up to use WPA encryption, this will keep anyone from leeching your connection. Another thing to remember is that telephones operating at 2.4Ghz will mess up your wireless connection also.

[NotSoGeeky]

I'm back with new questions! (Nope, I still haven't upgraded.)

7. How do I know if I have the proper cards in order to support wireless Internet for the company that I would go with in the first place?

8. I'm just curious to know how the computers that I want to have access to this wireless modem (if it isn't plugged into either of them) will know how to receive from it? (I know it's a basic question, but I'd just like to know since I am used to thinking from the standpoint of a dialup modem plugged directly into the phone line.) Is it all done through the software installed, entering a code or something? Does something small plug into the Ethernet cards so that they can receive wireless signals?


Thanks again for humoring my stupid questions.

[alpenadiver]

7. How do I know if I have the proper cards in order to support wireless Internet for the company that I would go with in the first place?

wireless cards are wireless cards, they will work. However I would stick with same brand as your router, as posted above I'm partial to the Linksys brand. Your broadband provider doesn't offer wireless, it enters your house over phone line (DSL) or coax (cable) you will introduce wireless to your setup through the wireless router.

8. I'm just curious to know how the computers that I want to have access to this wireless modem (if it isn't plugged into either of them) will know how to receive from it? (I know it's a basic question, but I'd just like to know since I am used to thinking from the standpoint of a dialup modem plugged directly into the phone line.) Is it all done through the software installed, entering a code or something? Does something small plug into the Ethernet cards so that they can receive wireless signals?

When you set up the router under wireless security you will set up encryption (WPA) being most secure, then enter a passphrase this is allows only the computers you want to access your internet connection, and keeps others from leeching your signal.

hope this answers your question.

[johnwill]

FWIW, I installed Verizon FiOS that replaced my copper line, and I also upgraded my alarm panel to a GE Concord 4 system. I have no problem using the FiOS connection for the alarm, works like a champ. Many alarm companies have options to connect over an Internet connection, and there are also wireless options that use cellular service to connect bypassing the wired services totally.

Note that will all the talk about wireless connections, you'll need to at least connect a wired computer to the router for configuration, since that happens BEFORE the wireless connections will work.

What ISP options do you have?

[NotSoGeeky]

The only truly viable option at a decent price that I have is BellSouth/AT&T. I don't know about satellite, but that's not an option that I want to consider, and the only other obvious option is through the only cable company here, but they are extremely poor when it comes to customer service (and I can't even stress that enough), so I refuse to go with them.


I assume that if I am using wireless that I only need a wireless modem in the computers/laptops that will be receiving the wireless signal, and the one that is plugged directly into the router will work through the Ethernet card? Or does that computer need a wireless card for some sort of compatibility issues?

As time has passed, I have considered not using the other PC for Internet (since it's pretty old and does not get used very often for Internet currently), so that leaves one PC and one laptop. The PC does not contain a wireless card but it does contain a "Fast PCI Ethernet Adapter". The laptop contains a wireless card.

[johnwill]

There doesn't seem to be any issues here, you'll likely get a wireless modem with the DSL service, so you should be all set.

[NotSoGeeky]

Yep. It's me again (Are you sick of me yet?) This is mainly just a curiosity, but...

I have before heard that when you get DSL, the connection is directly connected to the specific phone number. Is this true, and does it mean that if I change my number I will have to contact my DSL company and have them do some work again?