Enterprise Nation

Most people in the UK who use the Internet do so via a broadband connection and router that is directly connected by a wire to their PC or laptop. Of course this is perfectly acceptable, but what advantages could “going wireless” bring and how do you go about this? Phil Bird of The PC Support Group explains.

The meaning of wi-fi

Let me start by explaining what “wireless” means. It means hardware devices, such as your PC and the router that connects you to the internet, transmit information between each other without the need for a wire; instead they use radio signals. Providing your devices are within the “hot spot” (or “in range” as we refer to it) then they can happily talk to each other as if there’s a wire between them.

As wireless devices use radio waves, then just as your radio signal varies depending on where you are, so does your device signal. This means that they tend to only work up to about 100 metres (still quite a distance) and numerous thick walls between the two devices may cause problems. However, this means that most devices will work happily in and around most modern houses without a problem.

The incidentals

It isn’t only your router that has to be capable of using wireless; to connect wirelessly your device (PC, laptop, handheld organiser, games console, etc) must be compatible too. Check to make sure that your device is ‘WiFi Enabled.’

When setting up and using a wireless network, consider security. Did you know that unless your wireless network is properly setup with the right security, any wireless device can connect to your network when in range?  That includes your neighbours and anyone passing by your home, including information thieves!

To protect yourself you just need to set a password (or key) on your router that will be demanded every time an unknown device tries to connect.
 
If you have any hard to reach spots in the house, you have a couple of options:

• Add one or more wireless access points to boost the signal. 
• Use ‘Homeplugs’ that access the electrical wiring in your home to transmit information. Simply put one plug into an electrical socket near your router, connect it to your router, then put another into a socket in the room that has the weak signal. When in that room your device will use the electrical cabling to talk to the router and out to the internet.

If you’d like to go wire-free in your home and have any questions, contact The PC Support Group for help.

Happy wireless homeworking!

• Phil Bird, PC Support Group