Wireless Networking Absolute Beginner's Guide: (Absolute Beginner's Guide)

Make the most of your wireless network…without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to connect all your wireless devices, get great performance with everything from streaming media to printing, stay safe and secure, and do more with Wi-Fi than you ever thought possible! Even if you’ve never set up or run a network before, this book will show you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Wireless networking has never, ever been this simple!   Who knew how simple wireless networking could be?   This is today’s best beginner’s guide to creating, using, troubleshooting, and doing more with your wireless network…simple, practical instructions for doing everything you really want to do, at home or in your business! Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:   •     Buy the right equipment without overspending •     Reliably connect Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, Android tablets, game consoles, Blu-ray players, smartphones, and more •     Get great performance from all your networked devices •     Smoothly stream media without clogging your entire network •     Store music and movies so you can play them anywhere in your home •     Keep neighbors and snoopers out of your network •     Share the files you want to share–and keep everything else private •     Automatically back up your data across the network •     Print from anywhere in the house–or from anywhere on Earth •     Extend your network to work reliably in larger homes or offices •     Set up a “guest network” for visiting friends and family •     View streaming videos and other web content on your living room TV •     Control your networked devices with your smartphone or tablet •     Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots and get online in your car •     Find and log onto hotspots, both public and hidden •     Quickly troubleshoot common wireless network problems   Michael Miller is the world’s #1 author of beginning computer books. He has written more than 100 best-selling books over the past two decades, earning an international reputation for his friendly and easy-to-read style, practical real-world advice, technical accuracy, and exceptional ability to demystify complex topics. His books for Que include Computer Basics Absolute Beginner’s Guide; Facebook for Grown-Ups; My Pinterest; Ultimate Digital Music Guide; Speed It Up! A Non-Technical Guide for Speeding Up Slow PCs, and Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource.   Category:             Networking Covers:             Wireless Networking User Level:            Beginning  

Table of Contents:
Introduction ......................................................................................................................1     How This Book Is Organized .................................................................................... 3     Conventions Used in This Book ............................................................................... 4         Windows or Mac? ................................................................................................. 4         Web Page Addresses ........................................................................................... 4         Products and Services .......................................................................................... 4         Special Elements .................................................................................................. 4     Let Me Know What You Think ................................................................................. 5 I Getting to Know Wireless Networking 1 How Networks Work ...............................................................................................7     Why You Need a Home Network ............................................................................ 8         Sharing the Internet ............................................................................................. 8         Streaming Movies and Music .............................................................................. 9         Sharing Media .....................................................................................................10         Sharing and Backing Up Files ...........................................................................11         Sharing Printers and Other Equipment ............................................................13         Cutting the Cable ...............................................................................................15         Playing Games Online .......................................................................................16     Understanding Network Technology ....................................................................17         LANs and WANs .................................................................................................17         Connecting Things to Your Network ...............................................................18         Connecting Everything Together .....................................................................19         Transferring Data over the Network .................................................................20         Understanding Network Addresses .................................................................22     Different Ways to Connect .....................................................................................23         Connecting via Ethernet ....................................................................................24         Connecting via Powerline ..................................................................................24         Connecting via Wi-Fi ..........................................................................................25     What Type of Network Is Best for You? ................................................................26 2 How Wi-Fi Works ...................................................................................................29     Understanding Wireless Network Technology .....................................................30         Bands on the Radio ............................................................................................30         Routing the Signals ............................................................................................32     Alphabet Soup: The Different Wi-Fi Standards ...................................................33         802.11 (Legacy)...................................................................................................36         802.11b ...............................................................................................................36         802.11a ................................................................................................................36         802.11g ...............................................................................................................36         802.11n ................................................................................................................37         802.11ac (Gigabit Wi-Fi) ....................................................................................38         802.11ad (WiGig) ...............................................................................................39         Wide-Area Wi-Fi .................................................................................................39     Which Wi-Fi Is Right for You? ................................................................................40 3 How Bluetooth Works ...........................................................................................45     Understanding Bluetooth Wireless ........................................................................46         What Bluetooth Does ........................................................................................46         How Bluetooth Does It ......................................................................................47         Synchronizing, Automatically ............................................................................47     Bluetooth in Action .................................................................................................48     How Bluetooth Is Used Today ...............................................................................50         Computer Equipment ........................................................................................50         Cell Phones .........................................................................................................51         Automobiles ........................................................................................................52     How Do Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Compare? ..............................................................53 4 How Mobile Networks Work ...............................................................................55     Understanding Cellular Phone Technology ..........................................................56         Cells in a Network ..............................................................................................56         Carrying a Two-Way Radio ................................................................................57     Pulling Some Gs ......................................................................................................57         1G ........................................................................................................................57         2G ........................................................................................................................58         3G ........................................................................................................................59         4G ........................................................................................................................59     Sharing a Mobile Data Connection with Your PC ................................................60         External Data Modems ......................................................................................61         Tethering Your Smartphone ..............................................................................61         Powering Your Home Network with Your Cellular Signal ..............................63     Mobile Data Versus Wi-Fi: Choosing One or the Other .....................................64     Mobile Service and Bluetooth: Learning to Co-Exist ..........................................64 II Setting Up a Wireless Network 5 Planning Your Network and Purchasing Equipment .......................................67     Planning Your Network ...........................................................................................68         Making a List .......................................................................................................68         Mapping the Network ........................................................................................69         Adding the Necessary Network Equipment ....................................................70         Creating Your Network Equipment List ...........................................................72     Choosing a Wireless Router ...................................................................................72         What a Router Does ...........................................................................................72         Understanding the Nomenclature—And the Specs .......................................73         Examining 802.11n Routers ..............................................................................74         Examining 802.11ac Routers .............................................................................75         Evaluating Ethernet Performance .....................................................................77         Considering Other Features ..............................................................................77     Choosing Wireless Adapters ..................................................................................78         USB Adapters ......................................................................................................79         Internal Adapters ................................................................................................80     Choosing Network Interface Cards and Ethernet Cables ...................................81     Upgrading Your Current Network .........................................................................81     Where to Buy Networking Equipment ..................................................................82 6 Installing a Wireless Router .................................................................................85     Before You Start ......................................................................................................86     Making the Physical Connections ..........................................................................88     Setting Up and Configuring the Router ................................................................92     Advanced Router Setup ..........................................................................................94         Opening the Dashboard ....................................................................................94         Navigating the Dashboard ................................................................................95         Key Settings ........................................................................................................95     Upgrading from an Existing Router .......................................................................97 7 Connecting to the Internet ............................................................................... 101     Understanding Internet Connections ..................................................................102         Broadband DSL ................................................................................................102         Broadband Cable .............................................................................................102         FiOS Broadband ...............................................................................................103         Broadband Satellite..........................................................................................103     Choosing the Right Internet Connection for Your Network .............................104     Connecting the Internet to Your Network ..........................................................104         Connecting with a Wireless Router ................................................................104         Connecting with a Combination Modem/Router .........................................106     Setting Up a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot ......................................................................107         Turning Your Wireless Router into a Wi-Fi Hotspot .....................................107         Setting Up a Wi-Fi Hotspot with a Wireless Access Point ...........................108     Security Matters: To Share or Not to Share? .....................................................109 8 Extending Your Network in a Larger Home or Office ................................. 113     Revisiting Transmission Range .............................................................................114     Upgrading to a More Powerful Router................................................................114     Connecting a More Powerful Antenna ................................................................115     Connecting a Wireless Range Extender .............................................................116     Connecting a Second Wireless Router ...............................................................118 9 Connecting Devices via Ethernet ..................................................................... 121     How Ethernet Works .............................................................................................122         Speeds Vary ......................................................................................................122         Ethernet Routers ...............................................................................................122         NIC’s Picks .........................................................................................................124         Cable Time ........................................................................................................125     When an Ethernet Connection Makes Sense .....................................................126         Speed Matters ..................................................................................................126         Reliability Matters .............................................................................................127     Security Matters ................................................................................................127         There’s No Wireless Option ............................................................................128     Connecting via Ethernet to a Wireless Network ................................................128 10 Securing Devices on Your Network ................................................................ 131     Facing the Potential Dangers of Wireless Networking .....................................132         Different Types of Intrusions ...........................................................................132         How to Tell If Your Network Has Been Breached ........................................133     How to Protect Your PC from Intrusion .........................................................133     Protecting Against Internet Intrusions with a Firewall .......................................134         OS-Based Firewalls...........................................................................................135         Using Third-Party Firewall Software ...............................................................135     Using Router-Based Firewalls ..........................................................................135     Enabling Wireless Security on Your Router ........................................................136         Different Types of Wireless Security ..............................................................137         Configuring Your Network for Wireless Security ..........................................138     Limiting Access to Your Network ........................................................................138         Changing the Router’s SSID ............................................................................138         Changing the Password ...................................................................................139         Disabling SSID Broadcasting...........................................................................140     Protecting Against Malware .................................................................................140         Understanding Viruses and Spyware ..............................................................141         Practicing Safe Computing ..............................................................................141         Using Anti-Virus Software ................................................................................142         Using Anti-Spyware Software ..........................................................................144 III Connecting Devices to Your Network 11 Connecting Home Computers .......................................................................... 147     Connecting Computers to the Network .............................................................148         Connecting Windows 8 Computers ...............................................................148         Connecting Windows 7 Computers ...............................................................149         Connecting Windows Vista Computers .........................................................150         Connecting Windows XP Computers .............................................................150         Connecting Macs ..............................................................................................151     Dealing with Network Locations, Workgroups, and HomeGroups in Windows .............................................................................................................152         Setting a Network Location .............................................................................152         Selecting a Workgroup ....................................................................................153         Creating a Windows HomeGroup ..................................................................153     Configuring File and Printer Sharing ...................................................................154         Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows 8...........................................154         Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows 7...........................................156         Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista ....................................156         Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows XP ........................................156         Enabling File and Printer Sharing on a Mac ..................................................157     Accessing Other Computers on Your Network ..................................................158         Accessing Computers from a Windows PC ...................................................159         Accessing Computers from a Windows HomeGroup ..................................160         Accessing Computers from a Mac .................................................................160     Managing a Windows Network ............................................................................160 12 Connecting a Home Server ............................................................................... 163     What Is a Home Server, and Why Do You Need One? ....................................164     Exploring the Many Uses of a Home Server ......................................................164     Home Server or NAS: What’s in a Name? ..........................................................165     Shopping for a Home Server or NAS ..................................................................166         Determining Storage Capacity .......................................................................167         Choosing Networking and Backup Functionality .........................................167         Selecting an Operating System ......................................................................167         Making the Purchase ........................................................................................168     Configuring Your Server .......................................................................................169     Using Your Server for Media Storage .................................................................170     Backing Up to a Home Server .............................................................................170     Connecting to Your Server from the Internet.....................................................171 13 Connecting Videogame Devices ...................................................................... 173     Why Would You Want to Connect a Videogame Device to Your Network? ..................................................................................................174     Wi-Fi Versus Ethernet: What’s Best for Gaming? ..............................................175         Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................176         Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................176     Connecting an Xbox 360 Console.......................................................................177         Is Your Xbox Wireless? ....................................................................................177         Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................178         Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................178     Connecting a PlayStation 3 Console ...................................................................178         Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................179         Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................180     Connecting a Nintendo Wii Console ..................................................................180         Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................180         Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................181     Connecting a Portable Videogame Device ........................................................182     Configuring Your Network for Optimum Gameplay .........................................183         Getting Faster Broadband...............................................................................183         Upgrading Your Router ....................................................................................184 14 Connecting Other Entertainment Devices ..................................................... 187     The Many Ways to Consume Web-Based Media in Your Living Room ..........188     Connecting an Internet-Capable TV to Your Network ......................................189     Connecting a Blu-ray Player to Your Network ...................................................191     Connecting an Audio/Video Receiver to Your Network ...................................193     Connecting a Network Media Player to Your Network .....................................195     Configuring Your Router for Streaming Media ..................................................196         Connecting at 5GHz ........................................................................................196         Enabling WMM .................................................................................................197     Giving Priority to Streaming Media ................................................................197 15 Connecting Smartphones and Tablets ............................................................ 199     Connecting to a Wireless Network ......................................................................200         Connecting Your Smartphone ........................................................................200         Connecting Your Tablet ..................................................................................202     Using a Guest Network for Visiting Friends .......................................................203     Switching Between Wi-Fi and Cellular Networks ...............................................204         Why Wi-Fi Is Better Than Cellular...................................................................204         When to Connect via Cellular .........................................................................205         How to Switch from Wi-Fi to Cellular .............................................................206     Using Your Smartphone or Tablet to Control Networked Devices .................206     Using Your Smartphone to Control Things When You’re Not Around ...........208 IV Using Your Wireless Network 16 Sharing Printers and Other Devices ................................................................ 213     Connecting a Shared Printer to Your Network ..................................................214     Connecting a Wireless Network Printer ..............................................................215         Benefits of a Network Printer ..........................................................................216         Setting Up a Network Printer ..........................................................................216     Connecting a Printer via a Print Server ...............................................................217     Installing a Shared Printer on Other PCs ............................................................218     Printing to a Network Printer ...............................................................................218     Using Google Cloud Print ....................................................................................220         How Google Cloud Print Works .....................................................................220         Cloud Print Utilities ..........................................................................................221         Connecting a Cloud Print-Ready Computer .................................................221         Connecting an Existing Printer .......................................................................221         Sharing a Printer ...............................................................................................223         Printing via Google Cloud Print ......................................................................224     Sharing Other Peripherals ....................................................................................225 17 Sharing and Transferring Files .......................................................................... 227     How File Sharing Works ........................................................................................228     Configuring File Sharing in Windows ..................................................................229         Enabling Password-Protected Sharing ...........................................................229         Sharing the Public Folder ................................................................................230         Sharing Other Folders .....................................................................................230         Sharing Complete Drives.................................................................................234     Accessing Computers on Your Network .............................................................234         Accessing Windows HomeGroup Computers ...............................................234         Accessing Other Computers from a Windows PC ........................................235         Accessing Other Computers from a Mac ......................................................237     Using a Home Server for File Sharing .................................................................237     Backing Up Your Data Across a Network ...........................................................238     Sharing Files in the Cloud ....................................................................................238         What Is Cloud Storage? ...................................................................................238         Why Use Cloud Storage? ................................................................................239         Popular Cloud-Storage Services .....................................................................240         Sharing a File with SkyDrive ............................................................................241 18 Streaming Audio and Video.............................................................................. 245     How Streaming Media Works ..............................................................................246     What’s Good—And What’s Bad—About Streaming Media .............................246         What’s Good About Streaming Media ..........................................................247         What’s Not So Good About Streaming Media .............................................248     Choosing a Streaming Media Device .................................................................249         Streaming Media on an Internet-Capable TV ...............................................249         Streaming Media on an Internet-Capable Blu-ray Player ............................250         Streaming Media on a Network Media Player ..............................................251         Streaming Media on a Personal Computer ...................................................254         Streaming Media on a Smartphone or Tablet ..............................................255     Streaming TV Shows and Movies ........................................................................256         Hulu and Hulu Plus ...........................................................................................257         Netflix ................................................................................................................259         Amazon Instant Video ......................................................................................260         Blockbuster On Demand .................................................................................261         iTunes ................................................................................................................261         Vudu ...................................................................................................................262         Veoh ...................................................................................................................262         Crackle ...............................................................................................................263         Vevo ...................................................................................................................263         Other Sites ........................................................................................................263     Streaming Music ....................................................................................................265         Streaming Music Services ................................................................................265         Internet Radio ...................................................................................................268         Terrestrial Radio, Online ..................................................................................271         Cloud-Based Music Services ...........................................................................272     Streaming Media Across Your Network ..............................................................274         DLNA .................................................................................................................275         Apple AirPlay ....................................................................................................275 19 Troubleshooting Network Problems ............................................................... 279     Managing Networked Computers (Windows Version) ......................................280         Viewing a Larger Network Map ......................................................................281         Changing the Type of Network Location ......................................................281         Configuring Advanced Sharing Options ........................................................281         Viewing and Managing Network Connections .............................................282         Changing IP Addresses ...................................................................................284     Managing Networked Computers (Mac Version)...............................................286         Configuring Network Preferences ..................................................................286         Displaying Network Information .....................................................................287     Speeding Up a Slow Wireless Connection .........................................................288         Checking Your Signal Strength .......................................................................288         Moving Closer to the Router ..........................................................................289         Don’t Hide Your Adapter or Router ...............................................................289         Moving Devices That Might Cause Interference ..........................................290         Changing the Channel .....................................................................................290         Changing the Band ..........................................................................................290         Upgrading to a Faster Router .........................................................................290     Troubleshooting Bad Network Connections ......................................................291         Letting Your Operating System Fix the Problem ..........................................291         Disconnecting the Connection .......................................................................291         Rebooting the Adapter—or the Device .........................................................292         Rebooting Your Router ....................................................................................292         Checking the Device’s IP Settings ..................................................................292         Manually Assigning an IP Address .................................................................293         Checking the Workgroup Name .....................................................................293     Troubleshooting a Dead Internet Connection ...................................................294         Checking the Cables ........................................................................................294         Rebooting the Modem ....................................................................................294         Checking with Your ISP ....................................................................................295     Speeding Up a Slow Internet Connection ..........................................................295         Understanding Connection Speed .................................................................295         Understanding Browser Speed .......................................................................296         Cleaning Your Cache .......................................................................................296         Changing the Size of Your Cache ..................................................................297         Managing Your Cookies ..................................................................................297         Don’t Display Graphics ....................................................................................298         Uninstalling Unnecessary Add-Ons ................................................................298         Using an Alternate DNS Service .....................................................................299 V Connecting Wirelessly Outside the Home 20 Connecting to Wi-Fi Hotspots .......................................................................... 303     Where Can You Find a Hotspot? .........................................................................304         Wi-Fi Coffeehouses and Restaurants .............................................................304         Wi-Fi Hotels ......................................................................................................305         Wi-Fi Airports and Transportation Centers ...................................................305         Wi-Fi in Public Places .......................................................................................305         Wi-Fi Communities ...........................................................................................305     Connecting to a Public Hotspot ..........................................................................306     Logging Onto a Hotspot ......................................................................................307     Manually Connecting to a Hidden Network .......................................................308     Changing the Order of Preferred Networks in Windows ..................................309     Working Securely from a Public Hotspot ............................................................311     Troubleshooting Hotspot Problems ....................................................................312         You Can’t Connect to the Hotspot ................................................................312         You Get Disconnected from the Hotspot ......................................................312         You Connect to the Hotspot But Can’t Access the Internet .......................313         You Can’t Connect to Selected Websites .....................................................313         You Can’t Send or Receive Email ...................................................................313 21 Connecting in Your Car...................................................................................... 317     Connecting Your Phone to Your Car for Phone Calls .......................................318         Using Built-In Bluetooth ...................................................................................318         Using Add-On Bluetooth Car Kits ..................................................................320     Connecting Your Phone to Your Car to Play Music ...........................................321         Listening with a Built-In System ......................................................................321         Listening via an Add-On Bluetooth System ..................................................322     Using Your Smartphone to Access the Internet While Driving ........................323     Using a Wireless Router in Your Car ...................................................................324         Installing a Wireless Router .............................................................................324         Using a Mobile Hotspot ..................................................................................325     Looking to the Future: The Wireless Car ............................................................326 TOC, 9780789750785, 1/17/2013

About the Author :
Michael Miller is a successful and prolific author with a reputation for practical advice and technical accuracy and an unerring empathy for the needs of his readers.   Mr. Miller has written more than 100 best-selling books over the past two decades. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, Easy Computer Basics, Windows 7 Your Way, Wireless Networking with Windows Vista, Facebook for Grown-Ups, My Pinterest, and The Ultimate Digital Music Guide. He is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his practical, real-world advice—as well as his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience.