How to get wireless internet

When many people consider getting wireless Internet, they don�t know all the advantages that a wireless connection can give them. Most people also don�t know about the different types of wireless router units, nor do they know where to place the router for the best Wifi connection. This article will give you information on all these subjects, so you can make an informed decision when you want a wireless connection.

Benefits

There are many benefits to getting wireless Internet. The most obvious one is mobility. If you have a wireless laptop, you can easily connect it to the wireless system, giving you Internet wherever you are. While this doesn�t apply so much for a wireless computer, there are still other benefits.

Installing a wired Internet system can be quite difficult, especially if you have a large network. You have to wire the Internet manually to each of the computers, which can be a lot of work. Not only that, but every time you get a new computer, that one also needs to be connected.

When you use a wireless computer or wireless laptop, you can easily scale up without difficult installations. Instead of wiring the Internet to each computer, you just connection to the Internet via the internal Wifi card, and that�s it.

Since there is no installation, and because you don�t need to pay for wires, having a wireless system can be cheaper than wired Internet.

Equipment

When you setup a Wifi connection, you really just need a wireless router. When it comes to choosing a router, there are several different types to choose from. Each of them has different stats and prices, so you should consider your needs when choosing one.

Both 802.11a and 802.11b were the first types. Between these two, you can either choose speed or distance. With 802.11a, you get better data rate speeds, but the router does not have the same range as 802.11b.

The next type of router combines the two, and it is called 802.11g. This type of router takes the longer distance of 802.11b and combines it with the higher speeds of 802.11a, making it a powerful router that suits most needs.

The newest router is known as 802.11n. It has both better speeds and a much longer range than 802.11g, making it the best router on the market. However, it is also the most expensive, because it offers the best services.

If you have the money to spend, and you want the best system, then 802.11n should suit you fine. However, if you are looking for something that is strong, but a little more budget-friendly, then an 802.11g router should be fine. The other two are not used as commonly anymore, but they still make fine routers, especially for home users and small businesses.

Wireless Adapters

There is one other piece of equipment you might need to wirelessly connect to the Internet: a wireless adapter. These are typically USB sticks that fit into your computer or laptop, and they give you wireless access. Most computers now have internal Wi-Fi cards, but some do not. Not only that, but some wireless adapters can improve signal strength. The adapters are cheap, and only take a second to use.

Positioning the Router

Once you get the router, you might find it hard to position it so every computer gets its fair share of bandwidth. Before thinking about where to put it, think about the room you are putting it in.

Since the router uses waves to transfer data, putting it in a room with reflective surfaces can cause the waves to bounce around. This severely limits the amount of usable bandwidth you have. Also make sure that there are not many physical obstructions, as this can also limit the data transfer rate.

Lastly, make sure the router is not near another item that sends out wireless waves. Though unlikely, the two might conflict, causing issues with the router�s effectiveness.

Next, think about the computers you are using. If all of them are equally important, then the best place for the router is in a central point between all of them. If this is impossible, or if one computer is more important than the others, then set the router near that one computer. Ensure the computer and router are in close proximity of the others, otherwise only the main computer will get any bandwidth.

Conclusion

Setting up a wireless network is very easy, and once you know what to look for, choosing the right router is also very simple. There are many benefits to setting up this type of Internet both for business and home users, so you should definitely think of trying it out and seeing how good it is.