Make the most of your wireless network…without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to connect all your wireless devices, get great performance with everything from streaming media to printing, stay safe and secure, and do more with Wi-Fi than you ever thought possible! Even if you’ve never set up or run a network before, this book will show you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Wireless networking has never, ever been this simple!
Who knew how simple wireless networking could be?
This is today’s best beginner’s guide to creating, using, troubleshooting, and doing more with your wireless network…simple, practical instructions for doing everything you really want to do, at home or in your business! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:
• Buy the right equipment without overspending
• Reliably connect Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, Android tablets, game consoles, Blu-ray players, smartphones, and more
• Get great performance from all your networked devices
• Smoothly stream media without clogging your entire network
• Store music and movies so you can play them anywhere in your home
• Keep neighbors and snoopers out of your network
• Share the files you want to share–and keep everything else private
• Automatically back up your data across the network
• Print from anywhere in the house–or from anywhere on Earth
• Extend your network to work reliably in larger homes or offices
• Set up a “guest network” for visiting friends and family
• View streaming videos and other web content on your living room TV
• Control your networked devices with your smartphone or tablet
• Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots and get online in your car
• Find and log onto hotspots, both public and hidden
• Quickly troubleshoot common wireless network problems
Michael Miller is the world’s #1 author of beginning computer books. He has written more than 100 best-selling books over the past two decades, earning an international reputation for his friendly and easy-to-read style, practical real-world advice, technical accuracy, and exceptional ability to demystify complex topics. His books for Que include Computer Basics Absolute Beginner’s Guide; Facebook for Grown-Ups; My Pinterest; Ultimate Digital Music Guide; Speed It Up! A Non-Technical Guide for Speeding Up Slow PCs, and Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource.
Category: Networking
Covers: Wireless Networking
User Level: Beginning
Table of Contents:
Introduction ......................................................................................................................1
How This Book Is Organized .................................................................................... 3
Conventions Used in This Book ............................................................................... 4
Windows or Mac? ................................................................................................. 4
Web Page Addresses ........................................................................................... 4
Products and Services .......................................................................................... 4
Special Elements .................................................................................................. 4
Let Me Know What You Think ................................................................................. 5
I Getting to Know Wireless Networking
1 How Networks Work ...............................................................................................7
Why You Need a Home Network ............................................................................ 8
Sharing the Internet ............................................................................................. 8
Streaming Movies and Music .............................................................................. 9
Sharing Media .....................................................................................................10
Sharing and Backing Up Files ...........................................................................11
Sharing Printers and Other Equipment ............................................................13
Cutting the Cable ...............................................................................................15
Playing Games Online .......................................................................................16
Understanding Network Technology ....................................................................17
LANs and WANs .................................................................................................17
Connecting Things to Your Network ...............................................................18
Connecting Everything Together .....................................................................19
Transferring Data over the Network .................................................................20
Understanding Network Addresses .................................................................22
Different Ways to Connect .....................................................................................23
Connecting via Ethernet ....................................................................................24
Connecting via Powerline ..................................................................................24
Connecting via Wi-Fi ..........................................................................................25
What Type of Network Is Best for You? ................................................................26
2 How Wi-Fi Works ...................................................................................................29
Understanding Wireless Network Technology .....................................................30
Bands on the Radio ............................................................................................30
Routing the Signals ............................................................................................32
Alphabet Soup: The Different Wi-Fi Standards ...................................................33
802.11 (Legacy)...................................................................................................36
802.11b ...............................................................................................................36
802.11a ................................................................................................................36
802.11g ...............................................................................................................36
802.11n ................................................................................................................37
802.11ac (Gigabit Wi-Fi) ....................................................................................38
802.11ad (WiGig) ...............................................................................................39
Wide-Area Wi-Fi .................................................................................................39
Which Wi-Fi Is Right for You? ................................................................................40
3 How Bluetooth Works ...........................................................................................45
Understanding Bluetooth Wireless ........................................................................46
What Bluetooth Does ........................................................................................46
How Bluetooth Does It ......................................................................................47
Synchronizing, Automatically ............................................................................47
Bluetooth in Action .................................................................................................48
How Bluetooth Is Used Today ...............................................................................50
Computer Equipment ........................................................................................50
Cell Phones .........................................................................................................51
Automobiles ........................................................................................................52
How Do Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Compare? ..............................................................53
4 How Mobile Networks Work ...............................................................................55
Understanding Cellular Phone Technology ..........................................................56
Cells in a Network ..............................................................................................56
Carrying a Two-Way Radio ................................................................................57
Pulling Some Gs ......................................................................................................57
1G ........................................................................................................................57
2G ........................................................................................................................58
3G ........................................................................................................................59
4G ........................................................................................................................59
Sharing a Mobile Data Connection with Your PC ................................................60
External Data Modems ......................................................................................61
Tethering Your Smartphone ..............................................................................61
Powering Your Home Network with Your Cellular Signal ..............................63
Mobile Data Versus Wi-Fi: Choosing One or the Other .....................................64
Mobile Service and Bluetooth: Learning to Co-Exist ..........................................64
II Setting Up a Wireless Network
5 Planning Your Network and Purchasing Equipment .......................................67
Planning Your Network ...........................................................................................68
Making a List .......................................................................................................68
Mapping the Network ........................................................................................69
Adding the Necessary Network Equipment ....................................................70
Creating Your Network Equipment List ...........................................................72
Choosing a Wireless Router ...................................................................................72
What a Router Does ...........................................................................................72
Understanding the Nomenclature—And the Specs .......................................73
Examining 802.11n Routers ..............................................................................74
Examining 802.11ac Routers .............................................................................75
Evaluating Ethernet Performance .....................................................................77
Considering Other Features ..............................................................................77
Choosing Wireless Adapters ..................................................................................78
USB Adapters ......................................................................................................79
Internal Adapters ................................................................................................80
Choosing Network Interface Cards and Ethernet Cables ...................................81
Upgrading Your Current Network .........................................................................81
Where to Buy Networking Equipment ..................................................................82
6 Installing a Wireless Router .................................................................................85
Before You Start ......................................................................................................86
Making the Physical Connections ..........................................................................88
Setting Up and Configuring the Router ................................................................92
Advanced Router Setup ..........................................................................................94
Opening the Dashboard ....................................................................................94
Navigating the Dashboard ................................................................................95
Key Settings ........................................................................................................95
Upgrading from an Existing Router .......................................................................97
7 Connecting to the Internet ............................................................................... 101
Understanding Internet Connections ..................................................................102
Broadband DSL ................................................................................................102
Broadband Cable .............................................................................................102
FiOS Broadband ...............................................................................................103
Broadband Satellite..........................................................................................103
Choosing the Right Internet Connection for Your Network .............................104
Connecting the Internet to Your Network ..........................................................104
Connecting with a Wireless Router ................................................................104
Connecting with a Combination Modem/Router .........................................106
Setting Up a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot ......................................................................107
Turning Your Wireless Router into a Wi-Fi Hotspot .....................................107
Setting Up a Wi-Fi Hotspot with a Wireless Access Point ...........................108
Security Matters: To Share or Not to Share? .....................................................109
8 Extending Your Network in a Larger Home or Office ................................. 113
Revisiting Transmission Range .............................................................................114
Upgrading to a More Powerful Router................................................................114
Connecting a More Powerful Antenna ................................................................115
Connecting a Wireless Range Extender .............................................................116
Connecting a Second Wireless Router ...............................................................118
9 Connecting Devices via Ethernet ..................................................................... 121
How Ethernet Works .............................................................................................122
Speeds Vary ......................................................................................................122
Ethernet Routers ...............................................................................................122
NIC’s Picks .........................................................................................................124
Cable Time ........................................................................................................125
When an Ethernet Connection Makes Sense .....................................................126
Speed Matters ..................................................................................................126
Reliability Matters .............................................................................................127
Security Matters ................................................................................................127
There’s No Wireless Option ............................................................................128
Connecting via Ethernet to a Wireless Network ................................................128
10 Securing Devices on Your Network ................................................................ 131
Facing the Potential Dangers of Wireless Networking .....................................132
Different Types of Intrusions ...........................................................................132
How to Tell If Your Network Has Been Breached ........................................133
How to Protect Your PC from Intrusion .........................................................133
Protecting Against Internet Intrusions with a Firewall .......................................134
OS-Based Firewalls...........................................................................................135
Using Third-Party Firewall Software ...............................................................135
Using Router-Based Firewalls ..........................................................................135
Enabling Wireless Security on Your Router ........................................................136
Different Types of Wireless Security ..............................................................137
Configuring Your Network for Wireless Security ..........................................138
Limiting Access to Your Network ........................................................................138
Changing the Router’s SSID ............................................................................138
Changing the Password ...................................................................................139
Disabling SSID Broadcasting...........................................................................140
Protecting Against Malware .................................................................................140
Understanding Viruses and Spyware ..............................................................141
Practicing Safe Computing ..............................................................................141
Using Anti-Virus Software ................................................................................142
Using Anti-Spyware Software ..........................................................................144
III Connecting Devices to Your Network
11 Connecting Home Computers .......................................................................... 147
Connecting Computers to the Network .............................................................148
Connecting Windows 8 Computers ...............................................................148
Connecting Windows 7 Computers ...............................................................149
Connecting Windows Vista Computers .........................................................150
Connecting Windows XP Computers .............................................................150
Connecting Macs ..............................................................................................151
Dealing with Network Locations, Workgroups, and HomeGroups in Windows .............................................................................................................152
Setting a Network Location .............................................................................152
Selecting a Workgroup ....................................................................................153
Creating a Windows HomeGroup ..................................................................153
Configuring File and Printer Sharing ...................................................................154
Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows 8...........................................154
Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows 7...........................................156
Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista ....................................156
Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows XP ........................................156
Enabling File and Printer Sharing on a Mac ..................................................157
Accessing Other Computers on Your Network ..................................................158
Accessing Computers from a Windows PC ...................................................159
Accessing Computers from a Windows HomeGroup ..................................160
Accessing Computers from a Mac .................................................................160
Managing a Windows Network ............................................................................160
12 Connecting a Home Server ............................................................................... 163
What Is a Home Server, and Why Do You Need One? ....................................164
Exploring the Many Uses of a Home Server ......................................................164
Home Server or NAS: What’s in a Name? ..........................................................165
Shopping for a Home Server or NAS ..................................................................166
Determining Storage Capacity .......................................................................167
Choosing Networking and Backup Functionality .........................................167
Selecting an Operating System ......................................................................167
Making the Purchase ........................................................................................168
Configuring Your Server .......................................................................................169
Using Your Server for Media Storage .................................................................170
Backing Up to a Home Server .............................................................................170
Connecting to Your Server from the Internet.....................................................171
13 Connecting Videogame Devices ...................................................................... 173
Why Would You Want to Connect a Videogame Device to Your Network? ..................................................................................................174
Wi-Fi Versus Ethernet: What’s Best for Gaming? ..............................................175
Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................176
Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................176
Connecting an Xbox 360 Console.......................................................................177
Is Your Xbox Wireless? ....................................................................................177
Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................178
Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................178
Connecting a PlayStation 3 Console ...................................................................178
Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................179
Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................180
Connecting a Nintendo Wii Console ..................................................................180
Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................180
Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................181
Connecting a Portable Videogame Device ........................................................182
Configuring Your Network for Optimum Gameplay .........................................183
Getting Faster Broadband...............................................................................183
Upgrading Your Router ....................................................................................184
14 Connecting Other Entertainment Devices ..................................................... 187
The Many Ways to Consume Web-Based Media in Your Living Room ..........188
Connecting an Internet-Capable TV to Your Network ......................................189
Connecting a Blu-ray Player to Your Network ...................................................191
Connecting an Audio/Video Receiver to Your Network ...................................193
Connecting a Network Media Player to Your Network .....................................195
Configuring Your Router for Streaming Media ..................................................196
Connecting at 5GHz ........................................................................................196
Enabling WMM .................................................................................................197
Giving Priority to Streaming Media ................................................................197
15 Connecting Smartphones and Tablets ............................................................ 199
Connecting to a Wireless Network ......................................................................200
Connecting Your Smartphone ........................................................................200
Connecting Your Tablet ..................................................................................202
Using a Guest Network for Visiting Friends .......................................................203
Switching Between Wi-Fi and Cellular Networks ...............................................204
Why Wi-Fi Is Better Than Cellular...................................................................204
When to Connect via Cellular .........................................................................205
How to Switch from Wi-Fi to Cellular .............................................................206
Using Your Smartphone or Tablet to Control Networked Devices .................206
Using Your Smartphone to Control Things When You’re Not Around ...........208
IV Using Your Wireless Network
16 Sharing Printers and Other Devices ................................................................ 213
Connecting a Shared Printer to Your Network ..................................................214
Connecting a Wireless Network Printer ..............................................................215
Benefits of a Network Printer ..........................................................................216
Setting Up a Network Printer ..........................................................................216
Connecting a Printer via a Print Server ...............................................................217
Installing a Shared Printer on Other PCs ............................................................218
Printing to a Network Printer ...............................................................................218
Using Google Cloud Print ....................................................................................220
How Google Cloud Print Works .....................................................................220
Cloud Print Utilities ..........................................................................................221
Connecting a Cloud Print-Ready Computer .................................................221
Connecting an Existing Printer .......................................................................221
Sharing a Printer ...............................................................................................223
Printing via Google Cloud Print ......................................................................224
Sharing Other Peripherals ....................................................................................225
17 Sharing and Transferring Files .......................................................................... 227
How File Sharing Works ........................................................................................228
Configuring File Sharing in Windows ..................................................................229
Enabling Password-Protected Sharing ...........................................................229
Sharing the Public Folder ................................................................................230
Sharing Other Folders .....................................................................................230
Sharing Complete Drives.................................................................................234
Accessing Computers on Your Network .............................................................234
Accessing Windows HomeGroup Computers ...............................................234
Accessing Other Computers from a Windows PC ........................................235
Accessing Other Computers from a Mac ......................................................237
Using a Home Server for File Sharing .................................................................237
Backing Up Your Data Across a Network ...........................................................238
Sharing Files in the Cloud ....................................................................................238
What Is Cloud Storage? ...................................................................................238
Why Use Cloud Storage? ................................................................................239
Popular Cloud-Storage Services .....................................................................240
Sharing a File with SkyDrive ............................................................................241
18 Streaming Audio and Video.............................................................................. 245
How Streaming Media Works ..............................................................................246
What’s Good—And What’s Bad—About Streaming Media .............................246
What’s Good About Streaming Media ..........................................................247
What’s Not So Good About Streaming Media .............................................248
Choosing a Streaming Media Device .................................................................249
Streaming Media on an Internet-Capable TV ...............................................249
Streaming Media on an Internet-Capable Blu-ray Player ............................250
Streaming Media on a Network Media Player ..............................................251
Streaming Media on a Personal Computer ...................................................254
Streaming Media on a Smartphone or Tablet ..............................................255
Streaming TV Shows and Movies ........................................................................256
Hulu and Hulu Plus ...........................................................................................257
Netflix ................................................................................................................259
Amazon Instant Video ......................................................................................260
Blockbuster On Demand .................................................................................261
iTunes ................................................................................................................261
Vudu ...................................................................................................................262
Veoh ...................................................................................................................262
Crackle ...............................................................................................................263
Vevo ...................................................................................................................263
Other Sites ........................................................................................................263
Streaming Music ....................................................................................................265
Streaming Music Services ................................................................................265
Internet Radio ...................................................................................................268
Terrestrial Radio, Online ..................................................................................271
Cloud-Based Music Services ...........................................................................272
Streaming Media Across Your Network ..............................................................274
DLNA .................................................................................................................275
Apple AirPlay ....................................................................................................275
19 Troubleshooting Network Problems ............................................................... 279
Managing Networked Computers (Windows Version) ......................................280
Viewing a Larger Network Map ......................................................................281
Changing the Type of Network Location ......................................................281
Configuring Advanced Sharing Options ........................................................281
Viewing and Managing Network Connections .............................................282
Changing IP Addresses ...................................................................................284
Managing Networked Computers (Mac Version)...............................................286
Configuring Network Preferences ..................................................................286
Displaying Network Information .....................................................................287
Speeding Up a Slow Wireless Connection .........................................................288
Checking Your Signal Strength .......................................................................288
Moving Closer to the Router ..........................................................................289
Don’t Hide Your Adapter or Router ...............................................................289
Moving Devices That Might Cause Interference ..........................................290
Changing the Channel .....................................................................................290
Changing the Band ..........................................................................................290
Upgrading to a Faster Router .........................................................................290
Troubleshooting Bad Network Connections ......................................................291
Letting Your Operating System Fix the Problem ..........................................291
Disconnecting the Connection .......................................................................291
Rebooting the Adapter—or the Device .........................................................292
Rebooting Your Router ....................................................................................292
Checking the Device’s IP Settings ..................................................................292
Manually Assigning an IP Address .................................................................293
Checking the Workgroup Name .....................................................................293
Troubleshooting a Dead Internet Connection ...................................................294
Checking the Cables ........................................................................................294
Rebooting the Modem ....................................................................................294
Checking with Your ISP ....................................................................................295
Speeding Up a Slow Internet Connection ..........................................................295
Understanding Connection Speed .................................................................295
Understanding Browser Speed .......................................................................296
Cleaning Your Cache .......................................................................................296
Changing the Size of Your Cache ..................................................................297
Managing Your Cookies ..................................................................................297
Don’t Display Graphics ....................................................................................298
Uninstalling Unnecessary Add-Ons ................................................................298
Using an Alternate DNS Service .....................................................................299
V Connecting Wirelessly Outside the Home
20 Connecting to Wi-Fi Hotspots .......................................................................... 303
Where Can You Find a Hotspot? .........................................................................304
Wi-Fi Coffeehouses and Restaurants .............................................................304
Wi-Fi Hotels ......................................................................................................305
Wi-Fi Airports and Transportation Centers ...................................................305
Wi-Fi in Public Places .......................................................................................305
Wi-Fi Communities ...........................................................................................305
Connecting to a Public Hotspot ..........................................................................306
Logging Onto a Hotspot ......................................................................................307
Manually Connecting to a Hidden Network .......................................................308
Changing the Order of Preferred Networks in Windows ..................................309
Working Securely from a Public Hotspot ............................................................311
Troubleshooting Hotspot Problems ....................................................................312
You Can’t Connect to the Hotspot ................................................................312
You Get Disconnected from the Hotspot ......................................................312
You Connect to the Hotspot But Can’t Access the Internet .......................313
You Can’t Connect to Selected Websites .....................................................313
You Can’t Send or Receive Email ...................................................................313
21 Connecting in Your Car...................................................................................... 317
Connecting Your Phone to Your Car for Phone Calls .......................................318
Using Built-In Bluetooth ...................................................................................318
Using Add-On Bluetooth Car Kits ..................................................................320
Connecting Your Phone to Your Car to Play Music ...........................................321
Listening with a Built-In System ......................................................................321
Listening via an Add-On Bluetooth System ..................................................322
Using Your Smartphone to Access the Internet While Driving ........................323
Using a Wireless Router in Your Car ...................................................................324
Installing a Wireless Router .............................................................................324
Using a Mobile Hotspot ..................................................................................325
Looking to the Future: The Wireless Car ............................................................326
TOC, 9780789750785, 1/17/2013
