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To set up a wireless network in your home there is some basic equipment that you need.
1. Internet Service Provider (ISP) – This is the company from which you purchase your internet service. There are 2 major types of High Speed Broadband connections: Cable and DSL.
- Cable – This internet connection is provided by your cable company and gets delivered through the same cable as your TV service. This service option is generally more available than others and is usually less expensive than DSL.
- DSL – This service is generally provided by a phone company and usually requires that you have a phone line through them. Cost for DSL is generally more expensive than Cable but is sometimes the best option depending on your location.
It is best to do some research on your area to see which option will be best for you.
2. Modem – Your ISP will either provide a modem for free or for rent, or your ISP can provide you information about purchasing your own modem. If you are setting this up yourself, this modem will need to be “activated” by your ISP. This can be achieved by calling your ISP once fully setup. They will ask for the series of numbers located on the bottom or rear of the modem.
Modems are available for purchase on BestBuy.com or your local Best Buy Store.
If you have Cable Internet service visit http://bbyurl.us/CableModem.
If you have DSL Internet service visit http://bbyurl.us/DSLModem.
3. Router – If you are planning on having more than one device using your internet connection you will need to purchase a router to split the internet signal between the different devices.
Wireless routers can be purchased from BestBuy.com or your local Best Buy store. Some modems may have wireless capabilities built in, so the need for a wireless router would be eliminated. To check the documentation provided with your modem before purchasing a wireless router, visit http://bbyurl.us/Wireless.
4. Wireless Internet Adapter – These are preinstalled in Most Laptops purchased after 2008. If you will be using a desktop computer you will most likely need to purchase a Wireless Adapter, although some desktops do have wireless built in. Please refer to the documentation for your specific model. There are two types of Wireless adapters.
- USB Adapter – These are small adapters that plug into an open USB port on your computer. Usable on both desktops and laptops (that do not contain a built in wireless adapter or that have one that does not work). These adapters are generally inexpensive and can easily be moved from one computer to another.
Wireless USB Adapters can be purchased from BestBuy.com or your local Best Buy Store; visit http://bbyurl.us/WirelessUSB.
- Desktop Wireless Cards (PCI. PCI-e, Internal)– These are cards that need to be physically installed inside of the computer. These cards are best for computers that are not often moved, but are usually more expensive than a USB adapter. Installation of these cards should be performed by a trained professional as they require specialized knowledge.
Desktop Wireless Cards can be purchased from BestBuy.com or your local Best Buy Store; visit http://bbyurl.us/DesktopWireless.
