The three basic types of wireless network connections — peer-to-peer, home router, and hotspot — each has its own specific setup and management considerations.
Peer-to-Peer Wireless Connections
Connecting two wireless devices directly to each other is a form of peer-to-peer networking. Peer-to-peer connections allow devices to share resources (files, a printer, or an Internet connection). They can be made using various wireless technologies, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi being the most popular choices. The process of setting up peer-to-peer connections via Bluetooth is called pairing. Bluetooth pairing often involves linking a cell phone to a hands-free headset, but the same process can also be used to connected two computers or one computer and a printer. To pair two Bluetooth devices, first ensure one of them is set to be discoverable. Then find the discoverable device from the other and initiate a connection, providing a key (code) value if needed. The specific menu and button names involved in configuration vary depending on the type and model of the device (consult the product documentation for details). Peer-to-peer connections over Wi-Fi are also called ad hoc wireless networks. Ad hoc Wi-Fi supports a wireless local network containing two or more local devices. Although peer-to-peer wireless offers a simple and direct way to share information between devices, take appropriate network security precautions to ensure malicious people do not connect to your peer network sessions: Disable Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode on computers and turn off pairing mode on Bluetooth phones when not using those features.
Home Router Wireless Connections
Many home networks feature a Wi-Fi wireless broadband router. Home routers simplify the process of managing wireless network connections inside a home. As an alternative to setting up peer networking among client devices, all of the devices instead link centrally to a router that in turn shares the home Internet connection and other resources.To make wireless home network connections via a router, first, configure the router’s Wi-Fi interface. This establishes a local Wi-Fi network with the chosen name and security settings. Then connect each wireless client to that network. For example,
From Microsoft Windows PCs, choose the Connect to a network option in Network and Sharing Center and pick the correct entry from the list.From Apple iOS devices, go to the Settings app, and in the Wi-Fi section find and click the appropriate entry under Choose a Network…From Mac OSX devices, open the AirPort menu and click the item corresponding to the home network.
The first time a device is joined to a wireless router, network security settings (the security type and key or network passphrase) that match those set on the router must be entered when prompted. These settings can be saved onto the device and automatically re-used for future connection requests.
Hotspot Wireless Connections
Wi-Fi hotspots allow people to access the Internet while away from home (either at work, or traveling, or in public locations). Setting up a hotspot connection works similarly as for connections to home wireless routers. First, determine whether the hotspot is open (free for public use) or requires registration. Wi-Fi hotspot locator services maintain databases containing this information for publicly-accessible hotspots. Complete the registration process if necessary. For public hotspots, this can entail subscribing via email (possibly with a payment required). Employees of businesses may need pre-configured software installed on their devices to register them. Next, determine the hotspot’s network name and the required security settings. System administrators of business hotspots provide this information to employees and guests, while hotspot locators or business proprietors provide it for their customers. Finally, join the hotspot as you would a home wireless router (see instructions above). Take all network security precautions, especially on public hotspots that are most prone to attack.
