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11. Wireless Network Overview
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connects computers without network
cables. Instead, computers use radio communications to send data between
each other. In a WLAN, a radio communications device called an access point
or wireless router connects network computers and provides Internet or
network access. You can communicate directly with other wireless computers,
or connect to an existing network through a wireless access point. When you
set up your wireless adapter, you select the operating mode for the kind of
wireless network you want. You can use the Dell Wireless Network Connection
adapter to connect to other similar wireless devices that comply with the
802.11 standard for wireless networking.
11.1 To Setup a Wireless Network
The most common type of wireless network is an infrastructure network. To
setup an infrastructure network, you need the following:
•
Broadband internet service such as cable or DSL (includes a broadband
modem)
•
A wireless router
•
A wireless network adapter for each computer that you want to connect
to the wireless network.
11.2 Wireless Networking Basics
11.2.1 To Connect to a Wireless Network
There are three basic components that must be configured for an 802.11
wireless network to operate properly:
•
Network Name
: Each wireless network uses a unique network name to
identify the network. This name is called the Service Set Identifier
(SSID). When you set up your wireless adapter, you specify the SSID. If
you want to connect to an existing network, you must use the name for
that network. If you are setting up your own network you can make up
your own name and use it on each computer. The name can be up to 32
characters long and can contain letters and numbers.
•
Profiles
: When you set up your computer to access a wireless network,
you will create a profile matching the wireless settings for that network.
After you create profiles, your computer will automatically connect when
you are in the vicinity of that wireless network.
