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