Wireless network

aaa27aaa · Thu, 28th Jun '12, 6:45pm

I am going to be setting up a wireless network at home but have never done this before. Any and all advice would be welcome.

koliva · Thu, 28th Jun '12, 7:22pm

I've got a couple of tips:

* Make sure it is encrypted. Currently, WPA2 is the best there is. If the access point doesn't support it, go for WPA instead. Stay away from WEP, because it can easily be hacked.
* Don't pick a passphrase that can easily be guessed or that is based on common words. Google "password guidelines" and follow some of those tips.
* Pick a channel that is as far away as possible from channels used by other wireless networks in your area. If your AP can automatically pick it, that's fine.
* If the device has PIN-based Wi-Fi Protected Setup, disable it if you can.

That's all I can think of for now.

Taluntain · Fri, 29th Jun '12, 12:56am

With modern routers it's really quite easy, you basically just follow the on-screen instructions and the manual. Almost zero chance of something going wrong.

Topken · Fri, 29th Jun '12, 7:05am

Tal problem with that is thats not the most secure or the best option since that is just to get you up and running. After you go through the onscreen setup you wanna go through and tick off wifi protected setup because there is a flaw that has been found that cna easily break the code for it which bypasses wpa2. You also wanna make sure you use WPA2 over WPA and WEP. Since I am lucky to have only like 2 wifi networks around me besides my own I am pretty lucky that I can basically choose any channel to use but you will want to look around you for other networks and see what channels they use.

Taluntain · Fri, 29th Jun '12, 4:32pm

Securing the network is well covered in all routers' manuals, that's what I was saying. I'm relatively sure the setup of my new TP-Link made a point to warn me about it during the installation.

Topken · Fri, 29th Jun '12, 10:47pm

Tal I didnt say not to use the onscreen setup I said to do that and then to tweak the sttings afterwards to get the most out of the router. Similair to what you do with a tv when you first get it. You know get it up and running them go in and tweak it so that it preforms better and look better.

Thu, 28th Jun '12, 6:45pm	#1
aaa27aaa Gems: 2/31 Latest gem: Fire Agate Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: virginia Posts: 35 Like: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 233 Level: 5 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 63.05% Daily Activity 2.21% Weekly Activity 0.95% Monthly Activity 5.07% Achievements	Wireless network I am going to be setting up a wireless network at home but have never done this before. Any and all advice would be welcome.
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Fri, 29th Jun '12, 12:56am	#3
Taluntain SPS Account Holder Founder Resident Alpha and Omega Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cori Celesti Posts: 20,857 Blog Entries: 13 Like: 172 Liked 132 Times in 85 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 53,277 Level: 58 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 54.6% Daily Activity 134.66% Weekly Activity 54.51% Monthly Activity 45.5% Achievements Awards	With modern routers it's really quite easy, you basically just follow the on-screen instructions and the manual. Almost zero chance of something going wrong.
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Fri, 29th Jun '12, 7:05am	#4
Topken Gems: 11/31 Latest gem: Bloodstone Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 401 Blog Entries: 4 Like: 1 Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 1,177 Level: 11 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 75.73% Daily Activity 2.21% Weekly Activity 0.95% Monthly Activity 1.4% Achievements	Tal problem with that is thats not the most secure or the best option since that is just to get you up and running. After you go through the onscreen setup you wanna go through and tick off wifi protected setup because there is a flaw that has been found that cna easily break the code for it which bypasses wpa2. You also wanna make sure you use WPA2 over WPA and WEP. Since I am lucky to have only like 2 wifi networks around me besides my own I am pretty lucky that I can basically choose any channel to use but you will want to look around you for other networks and see what channels they use.
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Fri, 29th Jun '12, 4:32pm	#5
Taluntain SPS Account Holder Founder Resident Alpha and Omega Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cori Celesti Posts: 20,857 Blog Entries: 13 Like: 172 Liked 132 Times in 85 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 53,277 Level: 58 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 54.6% Daily Activity 134.66% Weekly Activity 54.51% Monthly Activity 45.5% Achievements Awards	Securing the network is well covered in all routers' manuals, that's what I was saying. I'm relatively sure the setup of my new TP-Link made a point to warn me about it during the installation.
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Fri, 29th Jun '12, 10:47pm	#6
Topken Gems: 11/31 Latest gem: Bloodstone Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 401 Blog Entries: 4 Like: 1 Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 1,177 Level: 11 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 75.73% Daily Activity 2.21% Weekly Activity 0.95% Monthly Activity 1.4% Achievements	Tal I didnt say not to use the onscreen setup I said to do that and then to tweak the sttings afterwards to get the most out of the router. Similair to what you do with a tv when you first get it. You know get it up and running them go in and tweak it so that it preforms better and look better.
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Thu, 28th Jun '12, 7:22pm	#2
koliva Gems: 2/31 Latest gem: Fire Agate Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 37 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 328 Level: 6 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 62.69% Daily Activity 2.21% Weekly Activity 0.95% Monthly Activity 1.4% Achievements	I've got a couple of tips: * Make sure it is encrypted. Currently, WPA2 is the best there is. If the access point doesn't support it, go for WPA instead. Stay away from WEP, because it can easily be hacked. * Don't pick a passphrase that can easily be guessed or that is based on common words. Google "password guidelines" and follow some of those tips. * Pick a channel that is as far away as possible from channels used by other wireless networks in your area. If your AP can automatically pick it, that's fine. * If the device has PIN-based Wi-Fi Protected Setup, disable it if you can. That's all I can think of for now.