Mr. Miller has written more than 100 best-selling books over the past two decades. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics, Easy Computer Basics, Windows 7 Your Way, Wireless Networking with Windows Vista, Facebook for Grown-Ups, My Pinterest, and The Ultimate Digital Music Guide. He is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his practical, real-world advice—as well as his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience.

    How This Book Is Organized .................................................................................... 3

    Conventions Used in This Book ............................................................................... 4

        Windows or Mac? ................................................................................................. 4

        Web Page Addresses ........................................................................................... 4

        Products and Services .......................................................................................... 4

        Special Elements .................................................................................................. 4

    Let Me Know What You Think ................................................................................. 5

I Getting to Know Wireless Networking

1 How Networks Work ...............................................................................................7

    Why You Need a Home Network ............................................................................ 8

        Sharing the Internet ............................................................................................. 8

        Streaming Movies and Music .............................................................................. 9

        Sharing Media .....................................................................................................10

        Sharing and Backing Up Files ...........................................................................11

        Sharing Printers and Other Equipment ............................................................13

        Cutting the Cable ...............................................................................................15

        Playing Games Online .......................................................................................16

    Understanding Network Technology ....................................................................17

        LANs and WANs .................................................................................................17

        Connecting Things to Your Network ...............................................................18

        Connecting Everything Together .....................................................................19

        Transferring Data over the Network .................................................................20

        Understanding Network Addresses .................................................................22

    Different Ways to Connect .....................................................................................23

        Connecting via Ethernet ....................................................................................24

        Connecting via Powerline ..................................................................................24

        Connecting via Wi-Fi ..........................................................................................25

    What Type of Network Is Best for You? ................................................................26

2 How Wi-Fi Works ...................................................................................................29

    Understanding Wireless Network Technology .....................................................30

        Bands on the Radio ............................................................................................30

        Routing the Signals ............................................................................................32

    Alphabet Soup: The Different Wi-Fi Standards ...................................................33

        802.11 (Legacy)...................................................................................................36

        802.11b ...............................................................................................................36

        802.11a ................................................................................................................36

        802.11g ...............................................................................................................36

        802.11n ................................................................................................................37

        802.11ac (Gigabit Wi-Fi) ....................................................................................38

        802.11ad (WiGig) ...............................................................................................39

        Wide-Area Wi-Fi .................................................................................................39

    Which Wi-Fi Is Right for You? ................................................................................40

3 How Bluetooth Works ...........................................................................................45

    Understanding Bluetooth Wireless ........................................................................46

        What Bluetooth Does ........................................................................................46

        How Bluetooth Does It ......................................................................................47

        Synchronizing, Automatically ............................................................................47

    Bluetooth in Action .................................................................................................48

    How Bluetooth Is Used Today ...............................................................................50

        Computer Equipment ........................................................................................50

        Cell Phones .........................................................................................................51

        Automobiles ........................................................................................................52

    How Do Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Compare? ..............................................................53

4 How Mobile Networks Work ...............................................................................55

    Understanding Cellular Phone Technology ..........................................................56

        Cells in a Network ..............................................................................................56

        Carrying a Two-Way Radio ................................................................................57

    Pulling Some Gs ......................................................................................................57

        1G ........................................................................................................................57

        2G ........................................................................................................................58

        3G ........................................................................................................................59

        4G ........................................................................................................................59

    Sharing a Mobile Data Connection with Your PC ................................................60

        External Data Modems ......................................................................................61

        Tethering Your Smartphone ..............................................................................61

        Powering Your Home Network with Your Cellular Signal ..............................63

    Mobile Data Versus Wi-Fi: Choosing One or the Other .....................................64

    Mobile Service and Bluetooth: Learning to Co-Exist ..........................................64

II Setting Up a Wireless Network

5 Planning Your Network and Purchasing Equipment .......................................67

    Planning Your Network ...........................................................................................68

        Making a List .......................................................................................................68

        Mapping the Network ........................................................................................69

        Adding the Necessary Network Equipment ....................................................70

        Creating Your Network Equipment List ...........................................................72

    Choosing a Wireless Router ...................................................................................72

        What a Router Does ...........................................................................................72

        Understanding the Nomenclature—And the Specs .......................................73

        Examining 802.11n Routers ..............................................................................74

        Examining 802.11ac Routers .............................................................................75

        Evaluating Ethernet Performance .....................................................................77

        Considering Other Features ..............................................................................77

    Choosing Wireless Adapters ..................................................................................78

        USB Adapters ......................................................................................................79

        Internal Adapters ................................................................................................80

    Choosing Network Interface Cards and Ethernet Cables ...................................81

    Upgrading Your Current Network .........................................................................81

    Where to Buy Networking Equipment ..................................................................82

6 Installing a Wireless Router .................................................................................85

    Before You Start ......................................................................................................86

    Making the Physical Connections ..........................................................................88

    Setting Up and Configuring the Router ................................................................92

    Advanced Router Setup ..........................................................................................94

        Opening the Dashboard ....................................................................................94

        Navigating the Dashboard ................................................................................95

        Key Settings ........................................................................................................95

    Upgrading from an Existing Router .......................................................................97

7 Connecting to the Internet ............................................................................... 101

    Understanding Internet Connections ..................................................................102

        Broadband DSL ................................................................................................102

        Broadband Cable .............................................................................................102

        FiOS Broadband ...............................................................................................103

        Broadband Satellite..........................................................................................103

    Choosing the Right Internet Connection for Your Network .............................104

    Connecting the Internet to Your Network ..........................................................104

        Connecting with a Wireless Router ................................................................104

        Connecting with a Combination Modem/Router .........................................106

    Setting Up a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot ......................................................................107

        Turning Your Wireless Router into a Wi-Fi Hotspot .....................................107

        Setting Up a Wi-Fi Hotspot with a Wireless Access Point ...........................108

    Security Matters: To Share or Not to Share? .....................................................109

8 Extending Your Network in a Larger Home or Office ................................. 113

    Revisiting Transmission Range .............................................................................114

    Upgrading to a More Powerful Router................................................................114

    Connecting a More Powerful Antenna ................................................................115

    Connecting a Wireless Range Extender .............................................................116

    Connecting a Second Wireless Router ...............................................................118

9 Connecting Devices via Ethernet ..................................................................... 121

    How Ethernet Works .............................................................................................122

        Speeds Vary ......................................................................................................122

        Ethernet Routers ...............................................................................................122

        NIC’s Picks .........................................................................................................124

        Cable Time ........................................................................................................125

    When an Ethernet Connection Makes Sense .....................................................126

        Speed Matters ..................................................................................................126

        Reliability Matters .............................................................................................127

    Security Matters ................................................................................................127

        There’s No Wireless Option ............................................................................128

    Connecting via Ethernet to a Wireless Network ................................................128

10 Securing Devices on Your Network ................................................................ 131

    Facing the Potential Dangers of Wireless Networking .....................................132

        Different Types of Intrusions ...........................................................................132

        How to Tell If Your Network Has Been Breached ........................................133

    How to Protect Your PC from Intrusion .........................................................133

    Protecting Against Internet Intrusions with a Firewall .......................................134

        OS-Based Firewalls...........................................................................................135

        Using Third-Party Firewall Software ...............................................................135

    Using Router-Based Firewalls ..........................................................................135

    Enabling Wireless Security on Your Router ........................................................136

        Different Types of Wireless Security ..............................................................137

        Configuring Your Network for Wireless Security ..........................................138

    Limiting Access to Your Network ........................................................................138

        Changing the Router’s SSID ............................................................................138

        Changing the Password ...................................................................................139

        Disabling SSID Broadcasting...........................................................................140

    Protecting Against Malware .................................................................................140

        Understanding Viruses and Spyware ..............................................................141

        Practicing Safe Computing ..............................................................................141

        Using Anti-Virus Software ................................................................................142

        Using Anti-Spyware Software ..........................................................................144

III Connecting Devices to Your Network

11 Connecting Home Computers .......................................................................... 147

    Connecting Computers to the Network .............................................................148

        Connecting Windows 8 Computers ...............................................................148

        Connecting Windows 7 Computers ...............................................................149

        Connecting Windows Vista Computers .........................................................150

        Connecting Windows XP Computers .............................................................150

        Connecting Macs ..............................................................................................151

    Dealing with Network Locations, Workgroups, and HomeGroups in Windows .............................................................................................................152

        Setting a Network Location .............................................................................152

        Selecting a Workgroup ....................................................................................153

        Creating a Windows HomeGroup ..................................................................153

    Configuring File and Printer Sharing ...................................................................154

        Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows 8...........................................154

        Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows 7...........................................156

        Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista ....................................156

        Enabling File and Printer Sharing in Windows XP ........................................156

        Enabling File and Printer Sharing on a Mac ..................................................157

    Accessing Other Computers on Your Network ..................................................158

        Accessing Computers from a Windows PC ...................................................159

        Accessing Computers from a Windows HomeGroup ..................................160

        Accessing Computers from a Mac .................................................................160

    Managing a Windows Network ............................................................................160

12 Connecting a Home Server ............................................................................... 163

    What Is a Home Server, and Why Do You Need One? ....................................164

    Exploring the Many Uses of a Home Server ......................................................164

    Home Server or NAS: What’s in a Name? ..........................................................165

    Shopping for a Home Server or NAS ..................................................................166

        Determining Storage Capacity .......................................................................167

        Choosing Networking and Backup Functionality .........................................167

        Selecting an Operating System ......................................................................167

        Making the Purchase ........................................................................................168

    Configuring Your Server .......................................................................................169

    Using Your Server for Media Storage .................................................................170

    Backing Up to a Home Server .............................................................................170

    Connecting to Your Server from the Internet.....................................................171

13 Connecting Videogame Devices ...................................................................... 173

    Why Would You Want to Connect a Videogame Device to Your Network? ..................................................................................................174

    Wi-Fi Versus Ethernet: What’s Best for Gaming? ..............................................175

        Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................176

        Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................176

    Connecting an Xbox 360 Console.......................................................................177

        Is Your Xbox Wireless? ....................................................................................177

        Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................178

        Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................178

    Connecting a PlayStation 3 Console ...................................................................178

        Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................179

        Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................180

    Connecting a Nintendo Wii Console ..................................................................180

        Connecting via Wi-Fi ........................................................................................180

        Connecting via Ethernet ..................................................................................181

    Connecting a Portable Videogame Device ........................................................182

    Configuring Your Network for Optimum Gameplay .........................................183

        Getting Faster Broadband...............................................................................183

        Upgrading Your Router ....................................................................................184

14 Connecting Other Entertainment Devices ..................................................... 187

    The Many Ways to Consume Web-Based Media in Your Living Room ..........188

    Connecting an Internet-Capable TV to Your Network ......................................189

    Connecting a Blu-ray Player to Your Network ...................................................191

    Connecting an Audio/Video Receiver to Your Network ...................................193

    Connecting a Network Media Player to Your Network .....................................195

    Configuring Your Router for Streaming Media ..................................................196

        Connecting at 5GHz ........................................................................................196

        Enabling WMM .................................................................................................197

    Giving Priority to Streaming Media ................................................................197

15 Connecting Smartphones and Tablets ............................................................ 199

    Connecting to a Wireless Network ......................................................................200

        Connecting Your Smartphone ........................................................................200

        Connecting Your Tablet ..................................................................................202

    Using a Guest Network for Visiting Friends .......................................................203

    Switching Between Wi-Fi and Cellular Networks ...............................................204

        Why Wi-Fi Is Better Than Cellular...................................................................204

        When to Connect via Cellular .........................................................................205

        How to Switch from Wi-Fi to Cellular .............................................................206

    Using Your Smartphone or Tablet to Control Networked Devices .................206

    Using Your Smartphone to Control Things When You’re Not Around ...........208

IV Using Your Wireless Network

16 Sharing Printers and Other Devices ................................................................ 213

    Connecting a Shared Printer to Your Network ..................................................214

    Connecting a Wireless Network Printer ..............................................................215

        Benefits of a Network Printer ..........................................................................216

        Setting Up a Network Printer ..........................................................................216

    Connecting a Printer via a Print Server ...............................................................217

    Installing a Shared Printer on Other PCs ............................................................218

    Printing to a Network Printer ...............................................................................218

    Using Google Cloud Print ....................................................................................220

        How Google Cloud Print Works .....................................................................220

        Cloud Print Utilities ..........................................................................................221

        Connecting a Cloud Print-Ready Computer .................................................221

        Connecting an Existing Printer .......................................................................221

        Sharing a Printer ...............................................................................................223

        Printing via Google Cloud Print ......................................................................224

    Sharing Other Peripherals ....................................................................................225

17 Sharing and Transferring Files .......................................................................... 227

    How File Sharing Works ........................................................................................228

    Configuring File Sharing in Windows ..................................................................229

        Enabling Password-Protected Sharing ...........................................................229

        Sharing the Public Folder ................................................................................230

        Sharing Other Folders .....................................................................................230

        Sharing Complete Drives.................................................................................234

    Accessing Computers on Your Network .............................................................234

        Accessing Windows HomeGroup Computers ...............................................234

        Accessing Other Computers from a Windows PC ........................................235

        Accessing Other Computers from a Mac ......................................................237

    Using a Home Server for File Sharing .................................................................237

    Backing Up Your Data Across a Network ...........................................................238

    Sharing Files in the Cloud ....................................................................................238

        What Is Cloud Storage? ...................................................................................238

        Why Use Cloud Storage? ................................................................................239

        Popular Cloud-Storage Services .....................................................................240

        Sharing a File with SkyDrive ............................................................................241

18 Streaming Audio and Video.............................................................................. 245

    How Streaming Media Works ..............................................................................246

    What’s Good—And What’s Bad—About Streaming Media .............................246

        What’s Good About Streaming Media ..........................................................247

        What’s Not So Good About Streaming Media .............................................248

    Choosing a Streaming Media Device .................................................................249

        Streaming Media on an Internet-Capable TV ...............................................249

        Streaming Media on an Internet-Capable Blu-ray Player ............................250

        Streaming Media on a Network Media Player ..............................................251

        Streaming Media on a Personal Computer ...................................................254

        Streaming Media on a Smartphone or Tablet ..............................................255

    Streaming TV Shows and Movies ........................................................................256

        Hulu and Hulu Plus ...........................................................................................257

        Netflix ................................................................................................................259

        Amazon Instant Video ......................................................................................260

        Blockbuster On Demand .................................................................................261

        iTunes ................................................................................................................261

        Vudu ...................................................................................................................262

        Veoh ...................................................................................................................262

        Crackle ...............................................................................................................263

        Vevo ...................................................................................................................263

        Other Sites ........................................................................................................263

    Streaming Music ....................................................................................................265

        Streaming Music Services ................................................................................265

        Internet Radio ...................................................................................................268

        Terrestrial Radio, Online ..................................................................................271

        Cloud-Based Music Services ...........................................................................272

    Streaming Media Across Your Network ..............................................................274

        DLNA .................................................................................................................275

        Apple AirPlay ....................................................................................................275

19 Troubleshooting Network Problems ............................................................... 279

    Managing Networked Computers (Windows Version) ......................................280

        Viewing a Larger Network Map ......................................................................281

        Changing the Type of Network Location ......................................................281

        Configuring Advanced Sharing Options ........................................................281

        Viewing and Managing Network Connections .............................................282

        Changing IP Addresses ...................................................................................284

    Managing Networked Computers (Mac Version)...............................................286

        Configuring Network Preferences ..................................................................286

        Displaying Network Information .....................................................................287

    Speeding Up a Slow Wireless Connection .........................................................288

        Checking Your Signal Strength .......................................................................288

        Moving Closer to the Router ..........................................................................289

        Don’t Hide Your Adapter or Router ...............................................................289

        Moving Devices That Might Cause Interference ..........................................290

        Changing the Channel .....................................................................................290

        Changing the Band ..........................................................................................290

        Upgrading to a Faster Router .........................................................................290

    Troubleshooting Bad Network Connections ......................................................291

        Letting Your Operating System Fix the Problem ..........................................291

        Disconnecting the Connection .......................................................................291

        Rebooting the Adapter—or the Device .........................................................292

        Rebooting Your Router ....................................................................................292

        Checking the Device’s IP Settings ..................................................................292

        Manually Assigning an IP Address .................................................................293

        Checking the Workgroup Name .....................................................................293

    Troubleshooting a Dead Internet Connection ...................................................294

        Checking the Cables ........................................................................................294

        Rebooting the Modem ....................................................................................294

        Checking with Your ISP ....................................................................................295

    Speeding Up a Slow Internet Connection ..........................................................295

        Understanding Connection Speed .................................................................295

        Understanding Browser Speed .......................................................................296

        Cleaning Your Cache .......................................................................................296

        Changing the Size of Your Cache ..................................................................297

        Managing Your Cookies ..................................................................................297

        Don’t Display Graphics ....................................................................................298

        Uninstalling Unnecessary Add-Ons ................................................................298

        Using an Alternate DNS Service .....................................................................299

V Connecting Wirelessly Outside the Home

20 Connecting to Wi-Fi Hotspots .......................................................................... 303

    Where Can You Find a Hotspot? .........................................................................304

        Wi-Fi Coffeehouses and Restaurants .............................................................304

        Wi-Fi Hotels ......................................................................................................305

        Wi-Fi Airports and Transportation Centers ...................................................305

        Wi-Fi in Public Places .......................................................................................305

        Wi-Fi Communities ...........................................................................................305

    Connecting to a Public Hotspot ..........................................................................306

    Logging Onto a Hotspot ......................................................................................307

    Manually Connecting to a Hidden Network .......................................................308

    Changing the Order of Preferred Networks in Windows ..................................309

    Working Securely from a Public Hotspot ............................................................311

    Troubleshooting Hotspot Problems ....................................................................312

        You Can’t Connect to the Hotspot ................................................................312

        You Get Disconnected from the Hotspot ......................................................312

        You Connect to the Hotspot But Can’t Access the Internet .......................313

        You Can’t Connect to Selected Websites .....................................................313

        You Can’t Send or Receive Email ...................................................................313

21 Connecting in Your Car...................................................................................... 317

    Connecting Your Phone to Your Car for Phone Calls .......................................318

        Using Built-In Bluetooth ...................................................................................318

        Using Add-On Bluetooth Car Kits ..................................................................320

    Connecting Your Phone to Your Car to Play Music ...........................................321

        Listening with a Built-In System ......................................................................321

        Listening via an Add-On Bluetooth System ..................................................322

    Using Your Smartphone to Access the Internet While Driving ........................323

    Using a Wireless Router in Your Car ...................................................................324

        Installing a Wireless Router .............................................................................324

        Using a Mobile Hotspot ..................................................................................325

    Looking to the Future: The Wireless Car ............................................................326

TOC, 9780789750785, 1/17/2013

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