How to add wireless to a wired network

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You can quickly and easily expand an existing fixed network with wireless capabilities to meet a new or temporary mobility requirement. Besides gaining more flexibility and inter-office mobility, the cost of adding on a wireless LAN is also minimal. Extending your current wired network costs just a few hundred dollars.

What you need to extend your current wired network with wireless capabilities:

Desktop, notebook PCs, Tablet PCs, or Pocket PCs equipped with wireless LAN access cards or with built-in wireless support
One or more wireless access points

Step 1:

Connect your wireless access point to your existing fixed
network

Step 3

Reset your SSID values to lock down the wireless network

Step 2:

Equip all your computers with wireless support

Step 4

Configure the security settings on your access points and computers to maximise security

Tips and advice

These tips make your network setup and installation easier

Step 1: Connect a wireless access point to your network.

A wireless access point links your wired and wireless networks. The access point connects to the wired network and broadcasts signals wirelessly to all of your wireless-enabled computers. Simply connect a wireless access point to the network with a Cat-5 Ethernet cable and it will be ready to broadcast your Internet connection.

Step 2: Ensure all of your computers are wirelessly equipped.

For computers to communicate over a wireless network, they will need to support the wireless LAN protocol called Wi-Fi (or 802.11). Many of today's business computers come fully equipped with integrated Wi-Fi, so you can access your wireless network as soon as your access point is up and running.

If your computers and handhelds don't have built-in Wi-Fi support, you can install a Wi-Fi adapter card that slips quickly and easily into the PCI slots of a desktop, notebook, Tablet PC, or handheld.

It is important that the wireless radios on your computers are compatible with your access points. 802.11b and 802.11g are compatible technologies, so a notebook with support for 802.11b can communicate with an access point that supports 802.11g. However, 802.11a devices are only compatible with other 802.11a devices, so you can't mix and match them with 802.11b or 802.11g devices.

Once you have your access point and your computers configured, you can begin sending and receiving information over your wireless network.

Step 3: Configure the SSID on your access points and wireless computers.

Wi-Fi access points use a special value called a SSID (Service Set Identifier) to distinguish wireless networks from one another. Access points often come with defaults setting. Change these values (which are well known) to prevent outsiders from easily detecting and accessing your wireless LAN. You should always immediately reset your SSIDs with stronger passwords (i.e. difficult to guess with mixture of letters, numbers and other characters so forth). See the documentation that comes with your access point and wireless card for details on how to reset SSIDs on your network.

Step 4: Configure your access point and cards for maximum security.

After getting your hardware up and running, be sure to carefully review the security options and configurations available to you before communicating sensitive data over the wireless network. HP offers the latest in wireless security, including data encryption and user authentication, but it's up to you to take advantage of it. Our wireless products are simple to set up, all you need is to spend a few moments to review the documentation. For example our access point comes with full security support that can be easily activated.

Tips and advice

Data transfer rates decreases with distance from an access point, so wherever possible place your access point in a central location
To minimise interference in a wireless network, keep your access point away from microwaves, televisions, cordless phones, and computers. Also, place your access point in a central office location for the best coverage
Rather than cobbling together a network of components from several vendors, choose equipment from a single vendor for better overall performance and ease of use. HP is uniquely positioned to provide you with end-to-end wireless solutions. We have the wireless expertise - having mobilised over one million people – and a complete line of wireless products, service and support options to make owning and maintaining your wireless network easy and affordable