Wireless Home Networking in easy steps, 2nd edition

If you have more than one computer at home, you'll soon find yourself wanting to share facilities - either disk drives, printers and other devices or services such as access to the Internet and to music and photograph collections. The answer to this need is to connect the computers in a home network. This book explains the types of home network that may be available to you, outlines the advantages and the drawbacks associated with each, and identifies wireless networking as ideal for the home environment.

It takes you through the planning and preparation stages for your wireless network, explains what equipment and applications will be needed, and covers the steps necessary to set up and maintain your wireless network at the appropriate level of performance. It shows you how to share your network with visitors and their wireless-enabled laptops, without compromising your privacy or your data. It also helps you access wireless network and Internet facilities when you are away from home, using remote access, mobile broadband and cellphone Internet connections.

The main emphasis is on laptop and desktop computers running Windows Vista, but there is some discussion of other networking environments including the new Windows 7 Homegroups. The approach is task-based, avoiding technical jargon, defining activities that you want to carry out or setups that you want to establish, then taking you through the stages required to achieve your desired wireless networking system.

Michael Price is an accomplished author, IT journalist and systems consultant with a wide experience of computing systems ranging from mainframes to personal computers.

1. Home and Wireless Networks
   • What is a Home Network?
   • Wired Ethernet
   • Phoneline Network
   • Powerline Network
   • Wireless Home Networking
   • How Networks Operate
   • Peer Group vs Client/Server
   • Share Resources
   • Network Attached Devices
   • Internet Access
2. Planning your Wireless Network
   • Objectives
   • Location and Layout
   • Performance Demands
   • Existing Facilities
   • Wireless LAN Options
   • Networking Components
   • Supplier Extensions
   • Laptop Wireless Adapters
   • Desktop Wireless Adapters
   • USB Wireless Adapters
   • Wireless Router/Gateway
   • Other Devices
3. Wireless Adapters & Ad-Hoc Networks
   • Identify Network Adapters
   • Installing a Wireless Adapter
   • Attaching the Adapter
   • Set Up a Network
   • Create Ad-Hoc Network
   • Join Ad-Hoc Network
   • Share Files and Printers
   • Internet Connection Sharing
   • Game Playing
   • Find the IP Address
   • Playing the Game
   • Disconnecting
4. Wireless Peer-to-Peer Networks
   • Wireless Router/Modem
   • Installing the Wireless Router
   • Verify Router Connection
   • Administrator Password
   • Internet Connection Setup
   • Configure Wireless Network
   • Wireless Network Security
   • Router Setup Completed
   • Connect to Wireless Network
   • Add a Second Computer
   • Mixing Wireless Adapters
5. Networking with Mobile Broadband
   • Mobile Broadband
   • Mobile Broadband Providers
   • Set Up the Vodafone Modem
   • Installing the Software
   • Get Connected
   • Auto Connection
   • Share Internet Connection
   • View and Limit Usage
   • Vodafone SMS
   • Contact Management
   • 3 Mobile and 3 Like Home
   • Using the Modem
6. Networking with Vista
   • Vista Networking Tools
   • Network Icon and Status
   • Start Menu for Networking
   • Network and Internet
   • Network and Sharing Center
   • Change Network Settings
   • Network Map
   • Network Connection Status
   • Network Discovery
   • File Sharing
   • Public Folder Sharing
   • Printer Sharing
   • Password Protected Sharing
   • Media Sharing
   • File Sharing Wizard
   • Command Line Tools
7. Other Networking Environments
   • Non-Vista Computers
   • Windows XP Computers
   • Connect an XP Computer
   • Mapping XP Computers
   • Apple Mac Computers
   • Linux Computers
   • Windows 7 Computers
   • Windows 7 Network Center
   • Windows Home Server
   • WHS Connector
   • WHS Console
   • Configuring the Server
8. Expanding your Wireless Network
   • Cell Phone to Computer
   • Attach your Cell Phone
   • Add Bluetooth Device
   • Managing the Cell Phone
   • Wi-Fi Connection
   • Wi-Fi Profiles
   • Wireless Phone Calls
   • Skypephone
   • Add a Wireless Printer
   • Connect to the Network
   • Access the Wireless Printer
   • Extend Network Range
   • Add a Range Extender
   • Using a Spare Router
9. Public Wi-Fi and Remote Networking
   • Home and Away
   • Wi-Fi Hotspot Facilities
   • Hotspot Directories
   • Connect to a Wi-Fi Hotspot
   • Create a Hotspot
   • FON Spots
   • Remote Networking
   • Windows Remote Assistance
   • Issue an Invitation
   • Make the Connection
10. Network Monitoring and Security
    • Monitoring the Network
    • Shared Folders
    • User Account Control
    • Standard User Account
    • Windows Security Settings
    • Ensuring Wireless Security
    • Help and Guidance
11. Glossary