Setting Up a Network
in
Microsoft Windows
V
i
sta®
1
Click the
Windows V
i
sta
Start
button
→
Connect To
→
Set up a connection or network
.
2 Select an option under
Choose a connection
option
.
3
Click
Next
,
and then follow
the
instructions
in the wizard.
Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN)
A WLAN
is a series
of
interconnected computers
that
communicate
with
each other over
the air waves
rather
than
through a network cable connected
to
each computer.
In
a
WLAN,
a radio
communications
device called an access
point or
wireless
router
connects network computers and provides
Internet, or
network,
access.
The
access
point or
wireless router and
the
wireless network card
in the computer
communicate by broadcasting data
from their
antennas over
the air waves.
What You Need to Establish a WLAN
Connection
Before you can set
up
a
WLAN,
you
need:
•
High-speed (broadband) Internet
access (such as cable
or DSL)
•
A
broadband modem
that
is connected and
working
•
A
wireless router
or
access
point
•
A
wireless network card
for
each computer
that
you want
to
connect
to
your
WLAN
•
A
network cable
with the
network (RJ-45)
connector
Checking Your Wireless Network
Card
Depending
on
what you selected when you purchased your computer,
the
computer has a variety
of
configurations.
To confirm that
your computer has a wireless network card and
to
determine
the
type
of
card, use one
of the following:
•
The
Start
button
and
the
Connect To
option
•
Your original computer
invoice
Start Button and Connect To
Option
In Microsoft
Windows XP
,
click
Start→Connect To→Show
all connections.
In Microsoft
Windows
Vista
, click
→Connect
T
o
→
V
i
ew
network computers and
devices.
If
W
i
r
e
less
Network Connection
does
not
appear under
LAN or
High-Speed
Internet,
you may
not have
a wireless network
card.
If
W
i
r
e
less
Network Connection
appears, you have a wireless network card.
To
view detailed
information
about
the
wireless network
card:
1 Right-click
Wireless Network
Connection
.
2
Click
P
r
operties
.
50
Setting Up and Using
Networks
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