Wireless Connections
If you want to use your laptop at home, work, the local coffee shop, or at any public place, you can do this if your computer is configured for a wireless connection and there is Internet access available.
What Does Your Laptop Need?
The first thing you need to do is make sure your computer is configured for wireless access. Most new laptops includebuilt-in wireless adapters. If your laptop does not have the wireless adapter, you can buy and install one that plugs into a port on your computer.
Once your computer is configured for wireless access, all you need to do is turn your computer on. It should be able to automatically locate the existing networks. A couple of clicks later and you'll be surfing the web.
Where Can You Use Wireless Internet Access?
You can access the Internet wirelessly from any location that has an existing network. If you go to a public place that advertises free wireless access, or free WiFi, and turn on your laptop, the computer will display a list of existing networks, and ask whether you want to connect to one of them. If so, just click on the network name listed on the screen, and you will then be able to open your browser and surf the web.
What about Wireless Access from Home?
If you want to use a wireless Internet connection from home, you will need to install a wireless router. A wireless router is a device that receives the signal sent by your computer and decodes it. It The router sends the information to the Internet using a wired Ethernet connection. Even when we talk about connecting to the Internet wirelessly, there is a wired connection somewhere that makes it all happen.
Another benefit to a wireless home network is the ability to connect multiple computers. They allow you to easily connect multiple computers to the Internet using only one IP address.
