Common Cause and Solutions to Laptop Wireless Problems

Common Cause and Solutions to Laptop Wireless Problems:

More and more people are using their laptop to do their daily task. Most of them use it to connect to Internet via wireless connection. Laptop wireless problems are one of the common problems that a laptop user usually faces. Here are some tips that will hopefully help you solve some common causes of laptop wireless connection problem.

One factor why laptop problems occur is different manufacturer has different ways of implementing how to use their laptop wireless systems. Laptop wireless connection problem is a big problem especially if you rely on connectivity to do your work. Laptop wireless problem can have many causes and sometimes the simplest solution to this kind of problem is by first checking your wireless network adapter to see if it is on.
Remember that some laptops will have small buttons on the side to turn its wireless network adapter on while on others brands you will need to enable it via its operating system.

The first step you should do in troubleshooting your wireless connection is by checking if your laptop's network adapter in the Device Manager is enabled or not. You need to enable your network adapter if it is disabled. If your laptop uses a PCMIA or USB wireless adapter, remove it and insert it again. After you inserted it again you can tell if your laptop wireless problem is fixed by the lights on the adapter.

Driver compatibility is another thing that you should check if you are experiencing wireless connection problem. Making sure that the correct device driver is installed for your particular wireless Internet adapter. Checking if the right driver is installed in your system makes sure that you will not run experience all kinds of problems with your laptop wireless. You should also make sure to install the router properly.

If you are sure that your router is working perfectly then the problem that you might be experiencing with your wireless connection is due to low signal from your wireless network. Try to move closer to your access point and see if your connection will improve. If not then try placing all your cordless phones, microwaves, and other electrical equipments 1m or more away from your access point or try to reposition it where it will be accessible near you.

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WFS709TP Wireless Control

The NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller is a full-featured wireless controller that centrally manages 16 access points, delivering integrated wireless mobility, security and converged services for both wired and wireless users.

Supporting up to 256 users per ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller, the WFS709TP has built- in PoE support on all eight 10/100 interfaces. With a Gigabit Ethernet port typically used to connect the wireless controller to the network backbone, WFS709TP supports advanced security features such as 802.1x, EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, 802.11i, MAC address, SSID and location-based authentication.

With identity-based security features such as support for RADIUS and AAA server support, NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller, truly unifies wired and wireless access without compromising on security.

Deployment

Deployed as an overlay on the existing network infrastructure, WFS709TP centrally manages, deploys, monitors and controls your wireless infrastructure. Supporting multiple deployment architectures including standalone wireless controller deployments to hierarchical setups in master/local configurations, the NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller, can be configured in “master” mode where all the configuration and security parameters are managed for the entire wireless network. In addition, WFS709TP can be configured in “local” mode, acting as policy enforcement points for the “master” controller as part of a hierarchical setup.

The overall Smart Wireless Controller solution supports up to 32 access points with the Smart Wireless Controllers configured in redundant master/local mode and up to 48 access points with the Smart Wireless Controllers configured in non-redundant master/local configuration. A standalone Smart Wireless Controller supports up to 16 access points.

IntelliFi RF Management

Targeted towards the growing business NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller provides continuous wireless coverage with features such as IntelliFi radio management. IntelliFi radio management provides automatic self-configuration of all radio parameters including transmit power level, channel, load balancing and interference avoidance.

For low-latency applications such as VoIP, NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Controller delivers VoIP over wireless by providing support for call admission control, voice-aware fast-roaming and strict over-the-air QoS to deliver mobile voice capabilities.

Access Points

Wireless users on the network can now experience seamless roaming as moving between multiple access points is made simple with the ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller centralized architecture. All user states, including security and mobility information, are maintained in the centralized Smart Wireless Controller. Access points (AP’s) act as logical extensions to the WFS709TP, accepting wireless traffic and sending it to the Wireless Controller over IP tunnels.

Access points supported include NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Light Wireless Access Point (WAGL102) and NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Light Wireless Access Point (WGL102).

The WFS709TP can also manage existing NETGEAR WG102 and WAG102 Wireless Access Point deployment by a one-time image download available on http://support.netgear.com that allows the existing wireless access point to be managed by the Wireless Controller.

RF Planning Tool

With integrated RF planning tools, administrators can input floor plan images, number of floors, building dimensions, desired coverage and an overlap factor for fault tolerance. The planning tools compute the predicted RF characteristics of the building, plot the optimal location of the access points and display predicted coverage.

Guest Access and Redundancy

Guest access, provided by a built-in captive portal, allows guest users connecting over the wireless network restricted guest level access to the network, prohibiting them any access to the sensitive data on the corporate network.

For mission-critical applications requiring network resiliency, the WFS709TP supports fault tolerant hardware with industry standard N+1 wireless controller redundancy and access point interleaving for access point redundancy. These features make it possible to provide a wireless network with no single point of failure, guaranteeing the highest possible availability.

Securing your wireless network

Image via Wikipedia

Wireless network security should be your first priority as your setting up a router. An unsecured wireless network is an open invitation to trouble. Your neighbors, nearby businesses, even a stranger parked out in the street can access your network if it’s not secured. Wireless Networking Security Basics

Securing your wireless network is easy with these tips:

• Don’t leave defaults. Your router or access point is set up via a Web page that connects directly to the device. If you haven’t done so already, change the administration username and password. Hackers that know the login defaults will have an easy time configuring your network to be an open book.

• Get cryptic. Wireless network equipment can scramble the data that passes between computers on the network. Make sure to turn on the strongest encryption that all of your computers will support. It is crucial that all computers use the same type of encryption, or they won’t be able to communicate with each other. WPA and WEP are common encryption standards.

• Be picky. All network cards and hardware have unique identifiers called MAC addresses. Your router can be configured to only allow access to certain MAC addresses through a function called MAC Address Filtering. Turn this on and input the MAC addresses of all the network devices (cards, access points, etc.) that should have access to your wireless network.

To find the MAC address of your wireless card, use the following procedure:

◦ From the Windows Start menu, select Run
◦ Type in the command cmd and press return
◦ In the new window, enter the command ipconfig /all
◦ The MAC address (sometimes called the physical address) will be listed as a series of letters and number in the form—XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
◦ Record the MAC address and close the window
◦ Note: you can add the MAC address of visiting PCs, but don’t forget to remove them from you filter list later.

• Wall yourself in. Make sure that firewall wireless network security software is enabled on all computers and routers in the network. Firewall software is designed to block unauthorized access to hardware. This is added level of security is a simple step toward a more secure network

Extending The Range Of Wireless Networks

Although a wireless transmitter is limited in its range, wireless extension points can be installed to boost its signal and make the range of the network much larger. These wireless extension points are commonly known as repeaters.

Several companies have started to manufacture wireless repeaters, despite the fact that these devices are not part of the wireless standard. Wireless repeaters are designed to resolve certain problems with wireless coverage. The further away you are from where the wireless signal originates, the weaker the signal becomes. Eventually, you can't receive the signal at all, regardless of what equipment you have. The problem is sometimes addressed by running wires out as far as the network coverage is desired, and then have it 'break out' into wireless every now and then using a wireless access point. This is generally more trouble than it is worth, since the idea behind a wireless network is to avoid installing wires! Wireless repeaters resolve the problem in a much better way.

Wireless repeaters work as a relay, taking existing wireless signals and making them stronger. This makes the range of a signal bigger each time. If the repeaters are placed correctly, you can move computers a considerable distance from the wired portion of the network, the router or access point, for example, without failure. The single requirement of this arrangement is that the extension points must overlap; a repeater can't repeat signals that it doesn't receive. Since wireless networking signals are essentially radio signals, repeaters take all the radio signals they receive on a specific frequency and use their power to amplify the signals and rebroadcast them. The signal is not degraded in this process, so it can be repeated as many time as required.

Theoretically, wireless repeaters could be placed in a line for several miles, extending the network out that far, and because these extension points don't need complicated computer technology to operate, they are much cheaper than routers or access points. Some companies combine repeaters and direction antennas to link to LANs that are several miles apart. This is a cheaper method than worrying about connecting over the Internet or installing their own underground lines. In the future, repeater technology could create wireless networks that cover entire cities.

As a consumer, you are currently limited to getting your repeater from large manufacturing firms such as Linksys and D-Link. These companies call their repeaters by different names, including Linksys' Range Expander and D-Link's Range Extender. There are several issues to consider when buying a wireless extension point. The most important is to make sure that it is compatible with the equipment you have. Because there is no standard for wireless extension points, you're better off staying with the same company that makes the rest of your equipment or at least investigate whether any new equipment will work with your system. You should also find out whether an extension point has any Ethernet ports. While it isn't necessary that this is included, it is useful if you want to connect the extension to a wired network. This issue arises basically if you want to connect two LANs in a wireless manner.

How To Create A Wireless Computer Network

While living in a growing age of technology, having at least one computer in the home is just as common as having a refrigerator. Most homes today will have some sort of computer equipment for either personal use or business use. With today's wireless-equipped laptops, a wireless router and, if you need one, a wireless adapter card, even the technically-challenged can create a network in a heartbeat. This discussion isn't about Bluetooth technology, nor does it relate to Macs.

The First StepWorkstations, printers, and laptops need a wireless adapter card installed. They're easy to install--sometimes they're already built in. If so, your equipment will say it's wireless network capable. If not, remove the case from your desktop computer, follow the adapter card's directions, and you'll easily identify the slot the card fits into. On a laptop, the card slot is on one of the outside edges of the keyboard half. The card only fits in one way and installs in two seconds, no problem. Once the adapter is set into its slot, Windows' setup wizard steps you through installing the driver. You'll get the familiar message, "Windows found new hardware." Follow the prompts. The current wireless protocol is 802.11. Wireless cards costs between $20 and $130. They can be found at any computer store or online outlet. The $20 card should be adequate. For a few dollars, weak-kneed users can get a pro to install the card and drivers.

Buying Your Wireless Router Going in search of wireless routers at an office supply megastore, you'll find them from $39 and up. They come with 4 Ethernet ports plus a wireless access point. The Ethernet ports are sockets for setting up a "wired" network, but since you're going wireless, you won't use them. The wireless access point is the sort of radio thing on the router that talks to your computer to make the wireless connection. It doesn't require you to plug anything in. Spending extra money buys more speed between router and computer, but for home use, on a small network, it's not really relevant. Usually, a router that transfers data at 100 megabits per second is fast enough. The package will tell you the speed.

Safeguard Your Stuff By the way, an important fact about wireless routers is that they act as "firewalls." A firewall is software or hardware that prevents hackers from hacking into your system. The router puts an extra layer of security between you and them. Some people claim the protection is negligible but a techie friend of this writer, with every piece of security known to man, tried to hack my network to demonstrate how feeble the router's protection was. He said, "In 10 minutes, I'll have your data." Three hours later, cussing a blue streak, he threw in the towel. Good security.

Wireless - Continued To install the router, rely on manufacturer's directions. All routers are slightly different. For example, you'll plug your basic Netgear router into an electrical outlet, go back to your computer and navigate to Control Panel -- Network Connections. The wireless network connection icon should say you have succeeded and are connected. Your router is now talking to your computer. That's it. Next, choose enable encryption, which is a way to assigning a security key, like a password, to the network's access to keep neighbors or anyone else from using your network. Gurus encourage everyone to do this. It's not difficult to figure out. The manual directs you to type 192.168.0.1 into the address bar of Internet Explorer. Every user manual has a similar IP address (Web address) to an administrative program for each router. It's easy to follow menu selections on the page that comes us next. The help files are generally user-friendly and tech support is available by phone as well.

Hooking Up With your new network set up, you add security cameras, printers, shared storage or anything else that can accept an adapter card or comes with network capability. Each item added -- printer, camera, computer -- needs wireless capability or a card and each shows up on the network with a name you give it - like, "new photo printer" or "Joe's laptop." The best part of the whole set up is that the wireless signal goes through most walls, allowing you to work almost anywhere in your home, sans the yards of black spaghetti that used to connect you. Take your laptop n front of the fireplace. Recliner chair becomes your desk. Sip some hot buttered rum and be the envy of the neighborhood.

Wireless Network Security Setup Guide

Just a few years ago I was clueless about why I should secure my wireless network. I didn’t care if other people used my wireless signal to surf the internet, and I thought it was too much hassle to figure out how to encrypt my network. What I didn’t realize, is that computer criminals rely on people like me to carry out their crimes. All they had to do was sit outside of my house and run some nifty software while they collected all of my personal data and all that it cost them was gas and time. It took me getting my credit card number stolen and my credit rating destroyed before I finally decided to take network security and the security of my data seriously. I hope this story isn’t too familiar to any of you out there but if it is I have just the guide for you.

Recently I was asked by the wonderful staff here at TechwareLabs to write a little guide on securing your home network, and explain a little bit of the techno-babble associated with network security encryption. I hope this guide finds you well and saves you from the mistakes so many like myself make. We will make this guide as easy to understand as possible so that everyone from the novice to the expert can tighten down the latches on their home and business security.

If you don’t think you have the time to secure your network all you have to remember is that it only takes one penetration of your data to cost you anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Getting ready to contact your credit card companies and maybe even a lawyer to start rebuilding your credit. We hope you aren’t planning on buying anything on credit any time soon.
First, let’s take a look at the most common hardware that consumers use to create wireless networks for their homes and small businesses. Knowing what you have is the first step to locking down unauthorized access.

Fixing Wireless Lags On Windows

Wireless lags can be problematic in various situations. This includes during multimedia streams, live feeds but also gaming. This wireless problem can range from stutters to serious connection problems and even drops. This is causes by a service in Windows XP and Windows Vista that is regularly looking for new wireless networks. The service is called Wireless Zero Configuration in Windows XP and WLAN Auto Config in Windows Vista. The easiest way to check if the problem exists on a computer system is to ping a service for some time to see if there are any wireless lags.

To do that open a Windows command prompt with the shortcut [Windows R] [cmd] [enter] and type in the command ping -t www.google.com. This will ping Google and display the time it takes. If you see spikes like in the screenshot below you are experiencing wireless lags.

The easiest way to fix wireless lags is by downloading and running Wireless Zero Shutdown when running Windows XP or Vista Anti Lag when running Windows Vista.

Running either of the software programs will stop the Windows service from scanning for new wireless networks regularly as soon as a wireless connection has been established.