Configuring Your Network With A Wireless AdapterA network is defined as a group of computers connected to each other, either through wires or without wires. I the latter case, since there are no wires, a special setup is required for the network to function. The technology used for wireless networks is called WiFi ( stands for Wireless Fidelity). Wireless Networks follow the IEEE 802.11 standard. All wireless networks have to be installed with the wireless network software for them to work. For this, the first step is to install a wireless network adapter. A wireless network adapter can be of different types. In the most basic form, it is a USB device. There are several wireless network adapters available. Let us look at a few of them. The Linksys WUSB54G is a typical WiFi wireless network adapter. The adapter can be plugged into the USB slot present at the back of a computer. There are two LED lights on the adapter which indicate the power and the network link status of the adapter. A USB wireless network adapter does not require an external power supply. It draws power from the host computer by means of the connecting USB cable. The TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter is another wireless network adapter. It can be used to connect a device ( for example, a hard drive) to a wireless network configured by IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b wireless standards. If this network adapter is used with a broadband Internet connection, it eliminates the need for a supporting telephone line. When it is used with a TiVo device, it gives more optimized performance. The TiVo wireless network adapter looks good too, with a real brushed metal base, and a flip up antenna. Other network adapters are available for the Xbox 360 and the latest playstation gaming console, PS3. These adapters enable the gamers to connect the Xbox at their homes to Xbox live for online gaming. They also allow them to connect to wireless home networks for intra-neighborhood gaming. The wireless network adapter used with Xbox 360 is compatible with IEEE 802.11 a and IEEE 802.11 b standard wireless networks. Another network adapter is the PCI wireless Adapter card for desktop computers. PCI stands for 'Peripheral Component Interconnect'. It is the recognized standard for connecting peripheral devices to a computer's central processor. It works by establishing a connecting medium called a bus that all connected devices can share for data transfer. A PCI wireless adapter card connects to a computer's internal PCI bus. Since the PCI bus is present within the computer, the adapter must also be installed within the computer by opening the unit and then setting it up. Belkin is a reputed manufacturer of wireless network components. Belkin has manufactured the wireless G USB network adapter that can easily be connected to the desktop computer or a laptop by inserting it into the USB slot provided. Once connected, the computer can be connected to the Internet for file sharing. It does not require any wired control. The main advantage of this product is that in the case of a personal computer, the adapter need not be installed inside the computer, opening the unit and in the case of a laptop computer, a user may enjoy the benefits of Internet while staying mobile. |