Wireless internet for laptop

As the prices of laptops are getting affordable for more and more people, along with the vast development in the area of wireless technology, it is only natural that the demand for access to internet via wireless technology for laptops is growing by the day. The sheer convenience and flexibility it offers the customers has been the driving force in revolutionizing the idea. The fact that you dont have to be glued to your seat near a wall where your PC is placed, to access the internet while working, creates a comfortable environment for people to work where they are free to move around, still being able to keep in touch with their work. Thus by increasing the efficiency of the working of individuals, it will result in better productivity, eventually.

How does it work

The wireless internet works on the basis of WLAN or a wireless LAN, which links 2 or more computers without wires. WLAN utilizes the OFDM modulation technology (spread spectrum technology). The OFDM technology uses radio waves to enable communication between devices inside a limited area, which is called the basic service net. Thus the user continues to be connected with the network, while having the liberty to move around. Wireless internet, due to its easy installation process together with the freedom of location, is available in places like shopping malls and coffee shops at moderate charges (at some places, even free of charge). Huge wireless network projects are being established in many major cities.

How to get access to the wireless internet:

Your wireless access point or router will be plugged into the modem (cable or DSL) in your system. There may be a few wired network ports and a wireless antenna in your model. In addition, you will have all your computers, some of which may be connected thru wires, while others, wireless.

First and foremost, when you start to establish a wireless internet connection for you, you should ensure that your network is secure enough.

For this, consider the following steps.

Make your network invisible: generally, by default, wireless access points let know their presence to nearby wireless enabled computers as a matter of convenience (known as identifier broadcasting. But you may not want to let people nearby know about your presence in the case of the network in your home or office. Therefore you may disable the facility of identifier broadcasting, as per the instructions given in your user manual.

Renaming your network: your wireless access point or router will have a name or SSID (service set identifier), which is been set by the manufacturer. In order that people cant identify your location easily by scanning a neighborhood using the default name, you should change your SSID.

Encrypting your network traffic: In order to ensure that the data traveling to and fro from your computer to be read only by those whom you want to, you may encrypt your wireless traffic.

Changing your Administrator password: administration password is the password that you use while logging on to your router. As the default password given by the manufacturer may be known to the intruders who may use it gain illegal access to your network, you must change it.

Be careful while using file sharing: If your file sharing option is turned on (which will be the case if your network is set up to access files and folders on other computers), there is a disadvantage that it makes it possible for outsiders to access your files and steal important information stored. To avoid this, it is better if you create a special directory for file sharing and keep it secure by password protecting it.

Updating the software: You should regularly check your manufacturers website for updates and patches that he may release, for your devices software. This will be helpful in tackling any problems or bugs that may be present.

After you are done with fixing the security settings, and have set your SSID on your access point or router, you may add it to your preferred network list. It is done as follows.

1. Going to the control panel, network and internet connections, click on network connections.

2. Right click the wireless network connection and click on properties.

3. click Add, on the wireless networks tab

4. Enter the SSID of your access point or router in the wireless network properties dialog box.

5. Fill all the relevant fields properly with respective information.

6. Click ok. Now your home network will be added to the list of preferred networks.

Now your laptop will identify automatically the desired wireless network and will get connected to it.

Shortcomings and disadvantages: With the obvious convenience of working and the freedom it provide, the wireless internet also has some disadvantages.

When compared with the internet via cable, the internet through a wireless router may be slower, however slightly. This is because the wireless router (Wi-Fi as it is popularly known as) transmits through the air and is any disturbance in the medium will affect its performance.

In some public places such as cafes, the transmission will be encryption free. Therefore, whatever data is stored in your laptop may be accessible to anyone in the range.

As the usage of wireless internet is increasing, so is the Wi-Fi pollution. Many organizations broadcasting over the same channel creates interference which affects the performance.

Pollution may also be caused due to other devices and equipments. Devices such as Bluetooth devices, cordless phones and microwave ovens are known to cause interference in public wireless transmission.

Another disadvantage with the Wi-Fi s is the limited range it has. Generally, the broadcasting range will be 50 100 meters, though it could be increased by going for Wi-Fi antennas.

The power consumption is very high for the devices using Wi-Fi through a wireless router. However, with all those disadvantages it has, wireless internet offers a new and flexible option for users all over the world. One should, anyway weigh its pluses and minuses before deciding in favor or against it.

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