Networking- Wired and Wireless
We have the most sophisticated computerized network testing and certification equipment. We can design your
network on computer, upload to our testing equipment, plan all the wire runs, hubs, switches, and ports, and then test and certify all connections
to ensure that your data is traveling at optimum speeds with minimal noise and interference. Each wire run will be tested
and a report printed out. Not only does the report show important network specs, such as Signal to Noise Ratio, but it will
PASS or FAIL the network connection. You will receive a multi page report with the specificatons of each wire run
in your network.
Whether you're a home or small business, networking is both affordable and efficient. By networking
your computers, you can have Internet access on all PCs in your home or office for the price of having
one PC connected.
By networking, you can share files and printers, eliminating the need to copy files to floppy disks
and the cost of buying a printer for each computer. Even in the home a network can cost less than purchasing
another printer. Imagine everyone being able to use one printer in the house.
On a network, parents can track where their kids go on the Internet, and even specify times that Internet
surfing is allowed on specific PCs. Having a network in your home gives you control over
all Internet activities, not to mention the ability to view files on ANY computer without knowledge
of the person using the computer. This is a must for parents today!
Small businesses can also control which employees have access to the Internet and what times
they can access. All important files can be stored on ONE single computer for nightly backups.
By networking, if one computer crashes, your business doesn't skip a beat. You simply resume from
another PC on the network while the other computer is being repaired.
Various Wireless Configurations
Multi Access Point- No Wires
Today's home networks
and small business networks are ever increasingly becoming wireless, with the access point built in
to the router, hence the router/wireless access point. What happens when you get too far from your original wireless router and need another access
point? You purchase a wireless access point. It has only one port on the back for an RJ-45 plug that you would
find on an ethernet cable. Yes, you would have to run a 100 or 200 foot wire from your original router to a 2nd
access point to give you better coverage throughout a larger home or building.
What if you don't want to run a wire? What if you need to connect 2 buildings, such as your
house with your workshop or barn? Running a wire would be a tough proposition. You would have to
bury a cable in PVC pipe. Or, you could create a wireless bridge. Now you need to purchase 2 wireless
bridges AND a wireless access point. Often times, a wireless access point will work in 'bridge mode', so
you can purchase 3 wireless access points.
Click here to view a diagram
of a totally wireless network using a bridge. Yes, you have to have at least a 1 foot wire connecting the bridge
to the wireless access point.
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Networks, Bridges and Antennas
The article to the left explains and shows in detail the layout of a totally
wireless network using wireless bridges to connect 2 wireless access points. The
potential for RF interference cannot be overlooked in today's complex wireless
networks.
The wireless access point was originally intended to compliment a wired
network. Today's home networks are usually totally wireless. This creates a
problem when the home user finds dead spots and needs to add another access point.
Because your original wireless access point is probably part of a router/access point,
you will need to purchase a wireless access point 'alone', without the router. The access
point has one port for the ethernet cable. If you can run a cable, that is the best way to go.
If you can't, that's where the bridges come in. It is possible to get away with using only one
wireless bridge if you use the correct antennas.
Connect a directional antenna to the bridge and point the antenna towards the original
router/access point. Make sure you use the same frequency and SSID for the bridge and both
access points. Click here
to view an actual installation I did.
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Wireless Networking at Home...Piece of Cake, right?
Well, yes. And no. You don't have to be a computer expert. If your VCR doesn't flash 12:00, you have one remote controller to work
all of your hi-fi equipment, and you know how to connect your Dolby Surround Sound, then
there's no doubt you could read the instructions and have every computer in your house surfing
the Internet. But you might have every home in your neighborhood surfing the Internet, too...at YOUR expense.
Every time I go to a home or business to install a network, the first thing I do is boot my
laptop to see what type of interference I might have in the way of RF. 9 times out of 10 my
laptop automatically connects to the Internet courtesy of a 'do it yourself' network guy.
There's actually a new game that young, often under 18 kids like to play. They cruise around with a
laptop and a high powered, directional antenna, and see how many networks they can break into and how much
havoc they can cause. As the "good guy" here, when I stumble on these networks, I try to warn
the person. I'll usually type a quick note and then print it to their printer in their home or
business. My last letter went like this:
Dear Wireless Network Owner,
I am a certified computer technician working at a site near you. My laptop stumbled on your
network due to Weatherbug's persistance on being connected to the Internet. I was able to see all
of your computers and was even able to see your personal documents. While I did not open or view
any of your private files, I did test the attributes of the folder they were in and I could have
read them, changed them, deleted them, and deleted other files, some of which would cause your
computer to NOT boot up next time you turned it on. I am also able to access your router configuration
and a 'bad guy' could change settings, cause your Internet to quit working, and lock you out of
your router. Again, I have done nothing malicious, I just wanted to let you know how vulnerable your
wireless network is. Thanks for reading this, and I'm sorry I used your printer without authorization.
I then printed this letter to their printer. I hope they weren't spooked when their printer started printing
all of a sudden. Am I doing the right thing by warning people? I think so. My purpose in writing this article
is to stress the importance of securing your wireless network. READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL.
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