Wireless Home Networking - Index of

Chapter 7: Setting Up a Wireless Windows Network
1. In the notification area of the status bar, at the bottom of the screen,
click the Network icon to display the Wireless Network Connection
dialog box, and then click the Properties button.
2. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box that
appears, click the Wireless Networks tab (refer to Figure 7-3).
Notice that your wireless home network is already listed. If your computer
is in range of the second wireless network, its SSID is also listed.
3. To add another network to the list, click the Add button on the
Wireless Networks tab.
4. In the Wireless Network Properties dialog box that appears, type the
Network Name in the text box labeled Network Name (SSID).
This is the name of the wireless network AP to which you will connect
your computer.
You may want to enter the network name (SSID) for the wireless network
at your office, for example.
5. If you’re connecting to a wireless network at your office, make sure
that you have appropriate authorization and check with the network
administrator for encryption keys and authorization procedures that
he or she has implemented.
If the network administrator has implemented a system for automatically
providing users with WEP/WPA2 keys, click OK.
If the wireless network to which you plan to connect doesn’t have an
automatic key distribution system in place, do this:
a. Deselect the check box labeled The Key Is Provided for Me
Automatically.
b. Enter the WPA passphrase.
c. Click OK to save this network SSID.
6. Move on to the next network (if any) that you want to configure.
Notice the Key Index scroll box near the bottom of the dialog box. By
default, the key index is set to 1. Your office network administrator knows
whether you need to use the key index. This feature is used if the system
administrator has implemented a rotating key system, which is a security
system used in some office settings. You don’t need to mess with this feature
unless you’re setting up your computer to use at work — it’s not
something you use in your wireless home network.
7. After adding all the necessary wireless networks, click OK on the
Wireless Networks tab of the Wireless Network Connection Properties
dialog box.
Windows XP now has the information it needs to automatically connect
the computer to each wireless network whenever the wireless station
comes into range.
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