How do I add a new wireless client to my network?

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When you add a new wireless client to an existing network, there are certain pieces of information you need to have. The access point may provide some of this information to the client automatically, but if it doesn’t, you will have to enter it yourself.

When you install a wireless adapter in a computer running Windows, it usually comes with a utility that is installed on the computer and displays an icon in the taskbar’s notification area. Windows XP also provides its own mechanism for managing wireless adapters. One thing all wireless devices have in common is that they have some way to configure the wireless connection.

Although there are many different wireless devices, they use almost identical terms for the information they require to establish a wireless connection.

Client Reference Sheet

USR5461demo

1. Network name (SSID)

The first thing a wireless client needs to know is the network name or SSID, which is set on the access point.

The network name of this access point is USR5461demo.

2. Security

In order for a wireless client to communicate with an access point using security, it must use the same method. Security for wireless communication consists of an authentication method (which controls which devices can connect to the access point) and an encryption method (which prevents someone from “reading” the data being sent between a wireless client and the access point).

Troubleshooting

If a wireless device cannot connect, the wrong encryption method may be selected or the key may be entered incorrectly. Double-check the device’s wireless configuration utility to ensure you’ve entered everything correctly. Make sure the wireless device has “Infrastructure” selected as the network type.

You should also make certain that the access point and client device are positioned so that their transmissions can reach each other. If possible, try to configure them when they are positioned next to each other.

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