Adding Wireless Is Easier Than You Think

Article Tools

• November 2008 Issue
• Post a Comment
• Print This Article
• Email This Article to a Friend
• Save This Article
• Order a Reprint

From the Nov. 2008 Issue

Perhaps you’ve managed to go this long without setting up a wireless network in your office or home. And while you may not know what it is you’re missing, the truth is that you probably don’t really need a wireless network. However, there are many reasons why you might want to be wireless. I’ll tell you how easy it is to set up a small and secure wireless network, right after I briefly recap some of the benefits.

Mobility – With the continued prevalence of laptops, having a wireless network in your office or at home allows you to work from anywhere within the signal range (usually at around 75 to 100 feet in an office setting). If you already have a laptop, there’s little reason for me to expound on the virtues of this mobility. If part of a larger network, you and staff/family can also access and share files and devices like printers.

Convenience & Scalability – While this also stems from mobility, the convenience of a wireless network extends to desktop computers in an office or even home setting because it allows you to move a workstation whenever you need or want to without being limited to areas near an Ethernet outlet. It also lets you quickly add workstations for seasonal staff during tax season wherever you have the space for them, while everyone in the office has access to programs on the server and various shared devices. And if you move office locations, there’s no need to rewire the entire new building to meet your needs.

Clients – The same convenience noted above can be extended to clients and other office visitors, if you wish, by setting up limited access guest log-in capabilities. For your always-connected clients, this will be a welcome feature while they’re sitting in your waiting area.

You’ve probably heard about all of these advantages before, whether in the pages of this magazine or from clients, staff your brother-in-law or a combination. And you may have even thought about actually getting around to setting up a wireless network, but perhaps you were worried about security, cost or the work involved. Well, those aren’t excuses anymore.

For small offices (fewer than five workstations), a total novice can do it in half a day (perhaps even just an hour or two), for around $300 total cost, and the network can be made essentially as secure as your traditional wired network. How does a simple three-step process sound? It’s important to note that, while you’re setting up the network, the Internet and access to shared programs will be down, so don’t attempt this during normal work hours.

THREE STEPS TO A SMALL WIRELESS NETWORK

Step A: Equipment – Wireless Router ($100 to $175+)
If you already have a network in place, then there’s a closet or “server room” somewhere in your office where the incoming Internet data line goes into a router that allows many different computers to have Internet access.

As an example, if you have five computers, a file server and one network printer in the office, then there will be one line coming from your cable or DSL modem that goes into this box and seven coming out of it that probably head back into the wall or ceiling. In most cases, it is best to simply add wireless capabilities to your existing wired network. As such, your new wireless router will also have ports for plugging in those existing computers or you may add the wireless router in addition to the wired one you already have. You could choose to go completely wireless, but since the wires are already in the walls, you might as well use them for some of your computers and devices.

1. Follow the instructions that come with the router, which will likely guide you through software installation on the file server or the “main computer” before you do anything else. After the software is installed, the instructions will likely guide you through these additional processes.
2. Turn off all computers, the file server and any devices connected to the network. Unplug the router from its power source.
3. Remove all of the wires coming out of the router and tag them if you can so that you know which wire went to which numbered port on the router. Bundle the wires and stow them out of the way.
4. Connect the incoming Internet source to the new wireless router.