Using Wireless Networks
This document applies to HP and Compaq desktop PCs using Windows XP and a wireless network card.
Wireless networks offer increased mobility and flexibility. Users of wireless can move around almost without restriction while accessing local area networks (LANs) from nearly anywhere. For example, you can use wireless networking to connect two computers, a laptop, and a printer in your home or you can connect several PCs and other wireless devices in a small work area. You can also connect a wired network to a wireless network when you use a wireless router.
Some of the benefits of wireless networking are:
- Sharing one Internet connection.
- Sharing printers and other wireless hardware.
- Sharing files and folders.
- Playing games together.
Types of wireless networks
A wireless or WiFi network provides all the functions of a typical wired network, but also provides for roaming. Since the computer connects to the network by radio signals rather than through cables, a person can move from place to place within the network, for example from the office to a conference room, and remain on the network the entire time.
There are two popular types of wireless networks:
Ad-Hoc
and
Infrastructure
.
- An Ad-Hoc
wireless network is a computer-to-computer configuration generally between two computers. Ad-hoc networks are usually used for a short period of time for the purpose of sharing or transferring files. There is no structure to the network and usually each PC is able to communicate with every other PC and connected device. This option is recommended when you are connecting PCs, but you are not trying to share an Internet connection between them.
- An Infrastructure
network contains either an Access Point
which is a fixed station that transmits and receives network information between two or more wireless devices or a wireless router
which is a gateway between an Internet connection or a fixed wire network and a wireless network.
An access point connects users to other users within the network and also can serve as the point of interconnection between a wireless network and a fixed wire network. Access points are generally used in large public or commercial networks that provide service for multiple users. This structure is very similar to cellular telephone networks.
Most home wireless networks or small business wireless networks use the wireless router network to connect users to each other and the Internet.
Wireless transmission standards
There are four wireless transmission standard specifications that make up the 802.11 series: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Connection speed and radio frequency are the main features that distinguish these standards. See the following table.
| Standard Specification | Connection speed | Radio Frequency |
|---|
| 802.11 | 1 or 2 Mbps | 2.4 GHz |
| 802.11a | Up to 54 Mbps | 5 GHz |
| 802.11b | 5.5 and 11 Mbps | 2.4 GHz |
| 802.11g | Up to 54 Mbps | 2.4 GHz |
Mbps = megabits per second. 1 Mbps = 1 million bits per second.
GHZ = gigahertz. 1 Gigahertz = 1 billion cycles per second.
Setting up and Configuring an Ad-Hoc Wireless Network
Ad-Hoc is a wireless peer-to-peer connection usually between two computers, but could be between any two wireless devices. Ad-Hoc is generally used for file and printer sharing.
Go through the following steps to configure, setup, and use your Ad-Hoc network to share files and folders between PCs on the network.
To set up and configure an Ad-Hoc wireless network:
Turn on the wireless network adapters for both PCs.
Enable File and Printer Sharing in the SP2 Firewall settings for both PCs. Each PC must have SP2 installed. If there is a problem viewing the shared folders after this setup, you may want to configure the firewall settings to allow network access or disable the firewall for troubleshooting purposes.
| CAUTION: | Disabling your firewall while being connected to the Internet may leave your computer open to outside connections. |
Configure workgroup settings
Both PCs need to be configured to the same workgroup in order to simplify the file sharing process. To view and change your workgroup name in Windows XP:
Click Start
, right click My Computer
and then click Properties
.
Click the Computer Name
tab.
Click the Change
button. Type the workgroup name that will be used in the workgroup area.
Click OK
to save the changes and then click OK
again.
Restart the PC.
Set up an Ad-Hoc network
Click Start
and then click Control Panel
.
Click Network and Internet Connections
and then click Network Connections
.
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection
icon and then click Properties
. If this icon is not present, the wireless adapter is not connected or is not turned on.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
listed under available networks, and then click the Properties
button.
Select Use the following IP address
.
In the IP address text box, type 192.168.0.1
. Type 192.168.0.2
into the IP address text box of the other computer.
In the Subnet mask text box, type 255.255.255.0
, and then click OK
.
Click the Wireless Networks
tab.
Click the Advanced
button.
Select Computer to Computer (Ad-Hoc)
and then click the Close
button.
In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, click the Add
button in the Preferred Networks section.
Type a network name in the Network Name (SSID) text box. Remove the check marks next to Network Authentication (Shared mode)
and Data Encryption (WEP enabled)
.
| NOTE: | If the wireless network that you are connecting to uses standard encrypted communication, place a check mark next to Data encryption (WEP enabled)
option, and then remove the check mark next to The key is provided for me automatically
. |
Place a check mark next to This is a computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) network; wireless access points are not used.
and then click OK
.
The network name that you added should be displayed. Click OK
to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties window.
Connect to an Ad-Hoc network
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection
icon in the task bar.
Click View Available Wireless Networks
.
Select the Ad-Hoc network, and then click the Connect
box. This step must be completed on both computers before a wireless connection can be completed.
| NOTE: | If you are using Windows with SP1, make sure a check mark appears next to Allow me to connect to the selected network even though it is unsecured
option. |
Share files and folders over the network
Once you have set up an Ad-Hoc network, you can share files and folders over that network. To share a folder:
Right-click the folder and then select Sharing and Security
.
In the Network sharing and security section, click the link, If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard click here.
Select the option Just share my files
and then click OK
.
Place a check mark next to Share this folder on the network
. You also can select the Allow network users to change my files
option if you want to edit or send files from the second computer.
Click Start
, My Computer
, and then click My Network Places
to access your shared folders.
Troubleshooting Wireless Networks
For troubleshooting wireless network connectivity problems, see the list below:
Check all of your network connections and make sure there is power to all of the hardware.
Restart your router. Turn it off, unplug it, wait for 20 seconds, and then plug it back in. Make sure the power lights appear.
Try connecting one of your networked PCs directly to the Internet connection modem with a network cable to see if there is a signal from the modem.
Call your Internet service provider and ask about any known issues. The issues may be listed on your providers Web site as well.
Go to the
Wireless networking center
(in English) on the HP Web site and find troubleshooting steps and HP automated tools that can help get your network working again.
Check any documentation that came with your wireless network adapter, your wireless access point, or your wireless router.
Check Microsoft Help and Support in the Start menu.
