Wireless for the Clueless

Wireless, we keep being told, is the wave of the future. It's the next big thing. After all, the San Jose, California research firm Infonetics estimates that the market for WLAN hardware (that's equipment for wireless local-area networks) will grow to approximately $2.3 billion by 2005. The problem is that most of us are still hopelessly clueless about wireless. But it's time for a change: Even the most technophobic among us need to learn a thing or two about wireless networking.

In that spirit, Fast Company presents a how-to guide to wireless: everything you need to know in order to set up a wireless network, secure your network against infiltrations from hackers, and find a wireless hot spot when you're on the road.

So What Is 'Wireless' Anyway?
Even the term itself can be a bit confusing. For instance, a wireless network can mean the cellular and PCS networks that mobile phones use and that are becoming increasingly available for data transmission. But that's not the kind of wireless that makes the techie's heart skip a beat. Wireless computing refers to 802.11 local-area networks, or short-distance wireless computer networks that operate over the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands.

These networks allow you to connect to the Internet and share files with computers the same way you would when you're connected to a network by an Ethernet cable -- but without the cable. 802.11 networks are also called "WiFi" networks. (See "How to Talk Wireless," next page.) Why "802.11"? The numbers refer to a classification system used by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers -- it's how they keep track of various computing standards. But don't let the geeky nomenclature throw you. Simply think about network connectivity, without the wire to make the connection.

The Gear
Let's face it: The real reason we try a new technology is for the cool new stuff we get to buy. WiFi is no exception. Here's what you should look for if, for instance, you want to equip your own home office. First, you'll need an access point, also known as a base station. That's the transmitting device that will communicate with your computer and connect you to the Internet. Access points come in all shapes and sizes. Some are built directly into desktop computers, others are stand-alone devices, and still others are sold as a combination of an access point and a DSL router bundled into a single unit. Our favorite:

Linksys Wireless Access Point and Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch (Model BEFW11S4) For a sweet low price, this combination device takes out the guesswork and cuts down on clutter in your home-network setup. Just plug in both your computer and your Internet connection and follow the setup instructions. (Visit www.linksys.com. List price: $129, but shop around -- Web specials go as low as $100.)

If you already have a laptop and want to make it WiFi-ready, you'll need a wireless LAN card, otherwise known as an 802.11 card. This is the device that makes it possible for your laptop to log on to an existing WiFi network. The card slides right into a Type II PC Card slot on the side of your laptop. Once inserted, it should be automatically recognized by the computer. To connect to your base station and get online, follow the instructions on the startup menu for the card, and don't forget to enable the security settings (more on this below). Our favorite:

Cisco Aironet 350 Series PC Card Most PC cards that you purchase in the $100 to $150 range will perform fine in an average home-networking environment -- like the Aironet, they will likely maintain data speeds of up to 11 Mbps within 130 feet of the access point, slowing down beyond that distance. The key advantage of the Cisco card is that it's compatible with Windows XP. Many of the competing cards are not. (Visit www.cisco.com. List price: $169, but online prices go as low as $120.)

If you're planning to buy a new computer, a wireless LAN card may not be necessary. A majority of the new generation of notebooks and ultralite laptops come standard with integrated WiFi, meaning that the hardware for an 802.11 card is built into the computer. Ultralites that we particularly like, which include integrated WiFi, include Dell's Latitude line, Toshiba's Porteges, and IBM's ThinkPads. Read the user manual to find out how to turn on the WiFi transmitter -- usually it's a simple matter of flipping a small switch on the side of the computer.

Special note for Apple users: iMac desktop computers, iBook laptops, and PowerBook G4 laptops all come equipped with Apple's "AirPort" technology, the Mac version of WiFi. (You will still need to purchase an AirPort Card and an Airport Base Station to get your network running.) AirPort is WiFi Certified. (See "How to Talk Wireless.") So if you set up a home network using an AirPort Base Station, visitors with PCs will still be able to access your wireless network.