Wireless Home Networking - Index of

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Part II: Making Plans
Manageability
When it comes to installing, setting up, and maintaining your wireless network,
you rely a great deal on your device’s user interface, so check reviews
for this aspect of the product. In this section, we discuss the many different
ways to control and manage your devices.
Web-based configuration
APs, wireless clients, and other wireless devices from all vendors ship with
several utility software programs that help you set up and configure the
device. An important selling feature of any wireless device is its setup
process. The ideal setup procedure can be accomplished quickly and efficiently.
Most available APs and devices can be configured through either
the wired Ethernet port or a USB port.
The best setup programs enable you to configure the device by connecting
through the Ethernet port and accessing an embedded set of Web (HTML)
pages. Look for an AP with one of these. This type of setup program — often
described as Web-based — can be run from any computer that is connected
to the device’s Ethernet port and has a Web browser. Whether you’re using
Windows, the Mac OS, or Linux, you can access any device that uses a Webbased
configuration program.
Software programming
When shopping for an AP, look for one with an automated setup process.
Several AP manufacturers provide setup software that walks you step by step
through the entire process of setting up the AP and connecting to your network.
Windows automated setup programs are typically called wizards. If
you’re new to wireless technology, a setup wizard or other variety of automated
setup program can help you get up and running with minimum effort.
Versions of Windows starting with Windows XP and versions of the Mac OS
starting with Mac OS 9 are more wireless-aware than earlier versions of these
operating systems. Automated setup programs are typically quick and easy
to use when written to run on either Windows XP or Mac OS 9 or later.
Even if an AP comes with a setup wizard, it also ships with configuration software
that permits you to manually configure all the available AP settings. For
maximum flexibility, this configuration software should be Web based (refer
to the preceding section).