All Things Wi-Fi...And Then Some - Part One

So you've decided to go wireless. Your shiny new notebook finally arrives after much anticipation. You get it all set up and ready to go WiFi, you watch it search for your network or you're already there and you open up your browser and BOOM! Nothing. Zip, zilch, nada. A millions things could have gone wrong so why did even one have to happen to you? Whether it be low or no signal, browser errors or your network just isn't playing with a full deck, those little demons are bound to haunt you. So if this sounds all too familiar or your an old pro who's just out of practice, this is for you. So read on and enjoy!

First, The Basics:
In Part One we will start with some definitions of common terms and then move onto all the devices you'll need to go Wi-Fi in no time flat. Well hopefully in no time, but that's where Part Two will come in.

Common Terminology:
Your head may be spinning from all those fancy terms you keep hearing. Wireless B, Super G, WEP, WPA, the list is endless. You want to feel like a pro when you talk Wi-Fi, so lets calm our minds, take a deep breath and I'll break down those terms, and give it to ya straight.

Wi-Fi - Short for wireless fidelity which is used to refer to any type of wireless network whether it be 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11b/g etc.

802.11 - Refers to a family of specifications developed for wireless LAN technology. It specifies an over the air connection between a wireless client (your notebook) and a base station (your router).

802.11a - Or Wireless A refers to the communication speed of the connection between the Wi-Fi card and the router. It operates at up to 54Mbps in the 5GHz band. Typically used in very large networks such as universities and businesses.

802.11b - Same as above except that it provides communication speeds up to 11Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. It is an older standard quickly being replaced by Wireless G.

802.11g - Same as above except it increases the communication speed to up to 54Mbps, also operates in the 2.4 GHz band.

Super G & Super AG - A term you may have heard of more recently. It refers to a new technology providing communication speeds double the standard wireless LAN technologies. It offers communication speeds up to 108Mbps. To my knowledge it is not yet a standard like A, B and G and not widely available nor used.

Note: We will just cover the standards in the FAQ. You can simply do a Google search for Super G Wireless if you would like more information.

Also, it should be noted that these connection speeds are for local data transmission between devices and do not reflect actual download speeds. Sorry to those that got excited at a super high speed internet connection.

WEP - Short for Wired Equivalent Privacy. It is a security protocol for wireless local area networks. Because we are transmitting data through radio waves it can be easily intercepted and stolen right out of the air. Scarey huh? WEP provides security by encrypting data you send over the air so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one end point to another. More recently though, it has been found that WEP is not as secure as once thought.

WPA - Short for Wi-Fi Protected Access, the current standard that was designed to improve upon the security features of WEP. The technology is designed to work with existing Wi-Fi products that have been enabled with WEP (i.e., as a software upgrade to existing hardware), but the technology includes two improvements over WEP.

• Improved data encryption through the temporal key integrity protocol or TKIP. TKIP scrambles the keys using a hashing algorithm and, by adding an integrity-checking feature, ensures that the keys haven’t been tampered with. (Think of the key you use to unlock your car, only that type of key will unlock the door and allow you access)
  
• User authentication, which is generally missing in WEP, through the extensible authentication protocol (EAP). WEP regulates access to a wireless network based on a computer’s hardware-specific MAC address, which is relatively simple to be sniffed out and stolen. EAP is built on a more secure public-key encryption system to ensure that only authorized network users can access the network.

MAC Address - Short for Media Access Control Address. A hardware address that uniquely identifies each part of a network. A security feature similar to WEP and WPA except that it is a unique set of numbers imprinted on devices such as Wi-Fi cards. Think of your DNA, its unique to you, can't be copied (except cloning but that's another story), and every person has a slight variation from the next.

SSID - Short for Service Set Identifier. In short it is simply the name that identifies a wireless network. It is attached to all packets sent over the WLAN and basically acts as a password. Anyone within range of a broadcasted and unsecured wi-fi network will be able to detect your SSID. If it is hidden and someone doesn't know your SSID, they can't connect, but because it can be easily "sniffed" out by hackers, it does not add any security to your network.

Hardware:
What you need and what you don't to go wireless, a fairly simple list with nearly an endless variety of choices. Whatever brand or model you choose, the process remains the same. Don't let those local sales staff fool ya though, the highest price doesn't always mean better, just more money in their pockets. We want the most reliable way to surf from your big easy chair, not expensive paperweights.

Modem - A small box shaped device and the first piece of hardware you need, usually provided by your ISP or Internet Service Provider (often for a small rental fee), and is the first step in connecting to your new network. It typically connects to your router via an ethernet cable.

Ethernet Cable - Similar to a phone cord but a larger diameter and wider ends called RJ-45. Two kinds of ethernet cables are available: Patch cables and Crossover cables. Crossover cables are special because with a single cable, two computers can be directly connected together without the need for additional hardware. If a cable does not say crossover, it is a standard patch cable. If you are connecting a router to a modem or computers to a router/hub/switch, you need patch cables. We will be dealing mainly with patch cables for basic connections.

CAT5, CAT5e and CAT6 - The three most common grades of ethernet cables. CAT5 is good for most purposes and can transfer data up to 100Mbps. CAT5e is rated for 200Mbps and CAT6 is rated for Gigabit Ethernet or 1000Mbps, (a less common connection but gaining in popularity). You'll need a small length of either one to connect your router to your modem and one additional piece to connect your notebook to the router for initial setup. Usually a small length will be provided with the Router as well as the Modem.

Again it should be noted that these connection speeds are for local data transmission between devices and do not reflect actual download speeds. Those speeds are determined by your ISP. Sorry again.

Wireless Router - A small device that forwards data along networks either via wired cable or wireless signal. It typically includes one incomming port connection from the modem and four outgoing ports for wired computers. Some routers even offer advance security features to protect your data flying through the air; but more on that later.

WLan Card or Wireless Local Area Network Card - Typically an internal device allowing an over the air connection between your computer and router. Most newer notebooks include internal cards of different variety or you may have an older notebook. In which case you would simply purchase a small wireless LAN card or USB adapter to enable wireless networking. These cards come in speeds of A, B, G and the less widely used Super G. Some newer cards are even A/B/G; all three! This allows you to connect to networks in a wide variety of local hot spots.

Note: Most routers are B/G compatible, meaning anyone with a B, G or B/G Wi-Fi card can connect. You have the option of turning off B if you have a G capable card. Doing so would prevent a Wireless B notebook from connecting, thereby decreasing the chance that it would hinder your network's performance.

Well, I think that just about covers what you need to get going and, hopefully, it has made you a little more Wi-Fi savvy. It is 5am as I am finishing this up, so if I have left anything out that should be included in Part One, I apologize. As I previously stated, in Part Two I'll help you put all this info to work and get your Wi-Fi up and running (you didin't think this was just a dictionary of terms did you?) as well as more advanced options, tweaking, and maintenance and the move on to all those little Wi-Fi demons that love to ruin your day. Finally there will be a How To for things such as ICS (Internet Connection Sharing), VPN (Virtual Private Networking), etc. Although this isn't a review, I will cover basic information on hardware brands, pros/cons etc. I'll try to cover everything under the sun when it comes to wireless networking bugs, issues, errors, tweaks, and performance. Happy Wi-Fi-ing!

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Anubis

 

Looks Great!!!!!!!!!

 

Bless you!

 

Adding pictures are always nice

Hmm, I wonder if the 5 picture limit still counts here.

Great job Anubis!

 

Thank you coriolis, I didn't even think to add some pictures of the different hardware, which is what I assume you mean. Even as I wrote it I thought about how to describe things to someone who may have never seen a router. Nice save!

 

Very good job Anubis....I love it!

 

Also, suggesting some routers would be very helpful!

Diagrams could be also fun

 

Yep, that's the plan. I figured that would come next with the second half to help people put it all together visually. Sometimes there aren't very good diagrams in the manuals. You'd think good diagrams would come standard when you buy a router.

Edit: I should get some pictures posted today and as long as the world doesn't end I'll have the second half going tonight.

 

that's nice 2 know ..pretty good so far

 

Sorry that I haven't gotten any additions up yet, stupid internet. Its all better now though so I'm back to work.

 

it's alright anubis ..good luck..again

 

Have to apologize again to all those waiting on the rest of the Wi-Fi thread. Class starts Monday and I'm totally swamped. Haven't managed to squeeze in some hours to tinker on it and get the rest posted even though I sleep 3 hours a day and I'm on all the time lol. But world not ending (knock on wood this time) I'll have it up by Sunday. I swear if my net goes down for 7 hours again I'll switch to dialup lol

 

it's alright...and good luck on monday ...hope u got that extra rest u needed..no one's in any rush..well..not that i know of

 

Very good guide!

One thing I have to comment on, though:

This isn't quite true. CAT5E is enough for Gigabit Ethernet. While it is said that CAT6 may be a bit more reliable (less interference), the only real reason to pick it up over CAT5E is future-proofing, if you expect to be running 10Gigabit over copper sometime in the future.