[Lara Croft]

OK. Now I have cable broadband installed, how easy is it to configure a wireless network? Or how hard?? We didn't have wireless at home in the UK, but I didn't have a wireless laptop then...

The engineer who set up this lot suggested that they normally charge $100 per hour for installation of a wireless router (not including parts). My laptop is already wireless enabled, and he left a load of numbers (IP addresses, DHCP thingummies etc).

Is it really that complicated?

I have a basic understanding of networking. However, I'm pretty rubbish at assembling things - I managed a floor-standing fan yesterday in less than 3 hours, and felt very pleased with myself :) . And I only lost one part...

So go on, am I really going to have to pay someone $100 plus parts for this???

Thanks,
Jane

[Jo Jo]

It's really easy - buy a wireless router and it will come with software to install on your laptop, and you just follow the instructions. It took me about 5 minutes to set ours up.

[Chiba]

It's pretty easy. Then again, are you using Wintendo or a proper OS? The only reasonably complex bit is likely to be if you want it secure or not. If you're in a city, then you do. If you're out in the sticks, then it's probably just unnecessary overhead. Either way, it's not rocket science these days.

[Lara Croft]

Thanks.
Chiba its running... umm Vista. And how difficult is it to make it secure? Could I make it un-secure to start with (if its easier) and then change it later?

Cheers!
Jane

PS - any suggestions where to buy the necessary stuff, and how much I should expect to pay please???

[CJ22]

You just need a wireless router. You plug the router into your cable modem. If your laptop is new, then it might even have a button on it that causes it to seek out the connection automagically. Setup is then just a case of following the instructions. I recently did this in the UK, and it was easy.

As for making it secure, it;s easy to make it 'somewhat' secure, and a bit harder to make it 'very' secure. Your router actually will have a web-site built into it, that you can connect to on your computer and change passwords and things. Also, the router will have an ID code printed on a label on the back, and you can enter that into your connection details to connect. They're basically pretty secure by default these days.

[IanW99]

Thanks.
Chiba its running... umm Vista. And how difficult is it to make it secure? Could I make it un-secure to start with (if its easier) and then change it later?

Cheers!
Jane

PS - any suggestions where to buy the necessary stuff, and how much I should expect to pay please???

To make it reasonably secure is very straightforward, you go to Wireless security options and then select WPA option (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and enter some details e.g. a network key etc. You then go to all the computers that you want to allow access to this computer and set their settings to match.

There are many other settings that you can do to make it even more secure if you want to really lock down your network.

I would recommend setting it up first without security and then switch this on once you are connected correctly as this simplifies the issues.

For places to buy from then would suggest Dick Smith Electronics or Harvey Normans as probably the best selection. But you will probably find one or two available at most electrical shops.

Check out pricespy for prices but would expect to pay $120-200.

Definitely try to do it yourself first, most installers have some kind of wizard to guide you through the process and if all goes well it really is simple. On the other hand, I know of people who have struggled for hours to get it working.

Ian

[Rusty]

I go along with Ian. I had never done it before, but just following the instructions was quite easy. As above, enter a WEP or other security code - from memory I think you type a question and an answer and this gets coverted automatically? - Make sure you do this otherwise anyone with a laptop can access your broadband - I did it with a neighbours by mistake (honest!).
I would suggest a known brand as they have helplines/online help if it goes wrong.

[tomo1340]

Not sure about over there, but over here it is becoming common for new wifi routers to have the wep key switched on as default and the key printed on the back of the label in case you go mad and forget it like I often do.

[Lara Croft]

Thanks everyone - sound advice as usual!

I'll let you know how I get on.... :)

Jane

[IanW99]

Not sure about over there, but over here it is becoming common for new wifi routers to have the wep key switched on as default and the key printed on the back of the label in case you go mad and forget it like I often do.

From the two new routers that I've set up in the last month, they didn't have a pre-configured security key, so don't think that it is common yet but no doubt it will be.

And if you are correct that it was a WEP key then the first thing that I would do is change it, assuming that the computers that I want to connect to it can use a better security setting, AFAIK WEP is no longer secure.

Ian

[tomo1340]

From the two new routers that I've set up in the last month, they didn't have a pre-configured security key, so don't think that it is common yet but no doubt it will be.

And if you are correct that it was a WEP key then the first thing that I would do is change it, assuming that the computers that I want to connect to it can use a better security setting, AFAIK WEP is no longer secure.

Ian

I don't think anything is completely secure. WEP would basically ward off opertunistic hackers. ALthough I believe airhack can crack a WEP or WPA network with little problems. Also a lot of newer routers are requireing authentication via the routers menu plus MAC addressing etc. Personally I use TKIP with authentication and also prevent the network from broadcasting it's SSID.

[Lara Croft]

I don't think anything is completely secure. WEP would basically ward off opertunistic hackers. ALthough I believe airhack can crack a WEP or WPA network with little problems. Also a lot of newer routers are requireing authentication via the routers menu plus MAC addressing etc. Personally I use TKIP with authentication and also prevent the network from broadcasting it's SSID.


You see? This is what I feared my question would degenerate to....

I've bought a Netgear something-or-other, and will attempt to configure it later... I'll shout if it all goes badly wrong!!!

Thanks everyone,
Jane

[Chiba]

WEP access points take about 10 seconds to get into, max. Try this:


If your access point supports it, put a strong password on the configuration page/application. Use a long string, don't use real words, mix the case, use special characters like !#~%.
Enable WPA2. Deny WPA1 clients.
Use a different strong password for the key phrase.
Use MAC filtering to restrict access to only your clients.
Don't broadcast the access point details.
Disable DHCP and use static IPs on each clients.


That'll get you a pretty secure setup (not perfect though, given enough patience). It's kind of overkill for home use, but with capped connections like NZ's you don't want anyone leeching your bandwidth.

[tomo1340]

I don't think anything is completely secure. WEP would basically ward off opertunistic hackers. ALthough I believe airhack can crack a WEP or WPA network with little problems. Also a lot of newer routers are requireing authentication via the routers menu plus MAC addressing etc. Personally I use TKIP with authentication and also prevent the network from broadcasting it's SSID.


You see? This is what I feared my question would degenerate to....

I've bought a Netgear something-or-other, and will attempt to configure it later... I'll shout if it all goes badly wrong!!!

Thanks everyone,
Jane

I am sure you will be fine. My next door neighbour has his connection insecure, and I warned him about it and he just shrugged and said, they have no data on the pc worth knowing and they are uncapped bandwidth. The only thing that would bother him is people using his connection for dodgy activities.

Incidentally I just want him to secure it as my PC connects up to his router more readily than my own and won't down load my mail through his connection. If I didn't get free broadband I would cancel it to save money and just use his.

[kanatakiwi]

If I didn't get free broadband I would cancel it to save money and just use his.

Free broadband?? tell us more. :)
G

[CJ22]

I'll be getting free broadband too, from my employer. I'm hoping it's not completely hopeless :)

[tomo1340]

Free broadband?? tell us more. :)
G

The company I work for in the UK now gives free broadband instead of free shares. I think someone else works for them on this board too so it's not a secret select society:o Although I wish we got free phone/broadband/on demand tv as this months bill is strangely a killer.

[CJ22]

I'll be working for Telecom NZ. I get free (or subsidized, not sure) phone, broadband and also I think Sky and cellphone. I mean line-rental and such - doubt if they're planning to pay for the calls too :). We'll be getting that twice in fact, since the missus will also be working for Telecom. How they're going to work that out I don't know. But should be a good few hundred bucks saved there.

[Super_BQ]

I would like to add that if you already have an existing broadband modem, chances are that the modem already has a built in router. Therefore you really only need to buy is a "WIRELESS ACCESS POINT". There's no need for having 2 routers on the same network unless you intend to completely replace your current modem with an all in one unit.

Wireless access points units can be had cheap on TradeMe. You will also find that they are not as common as the current All-In-One (router, switch/hub, wireless, & moden) which sell for 2 or 3 times the price.

Another issue with WiFi is it's changing standard. You can get B, G, & N which all boasts their advantages. Personally there is nothing wrong with the old original B standard which offers max speed of 11mbs - faster than any NZ residential line could go. For the techies, newer wifi standards do not have longer ranges despite the common belief that the higher the Ghz you go, the better range you get. A 5Ghz setup does NOT have better range than the older 2.4Ghz setup, though data can transfer at a higher speed. The actual limiting factor in distance is quite simply the output wattage these units are allowed to transmit - which is governed by some authority such as the FCC in the US.

Virtually every new laptop today does support the b & g standard.

BQ