Networks

Quite Often there is sufficient Security involved to prevent more than 1 Concurrent Connection from Happening this is mostly MAC Filtering, well it's the most common method anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_filtering

It's not sufficient to have a valid IP Address you must setup the computer to attach correctly and be accepted by the WiFi Access Point. These are normally locked down to 1 Access Point by Default and to add more you need to enter the Devices Setup and change the number of Concurrent Connections and ideally the Default Password & User Name at the same time to prevent others Hacking the WiFi network and stealing both the Companies Bandwidth and Data. Also the Device Supplied by the ISP is most likely a Router + the Modem to access the ISP and allow a WiFi Connection. Most of these modems have a Router Piggybacked/ included into them.

Here I would say that the Wireless and Wired LAN's are Bridged so that when you connect with a wire the WiFi Software suddenly see that you have a correct WiFi Connection.

Col

as that is what is supplying the WiFi.

without the router portion it would just have a phoneline port and an ethernet port (or USB in some cases)

The box has phone ports and a couple of ethernet outlets, one marked with a red band (which works) and one yellow (which doesn't!)

Paul

Hello and thanks very much for this. I am afraid I find it rather hard ro understand. If I understand correctly I have to set up my computer yes?

So where do I go to do this set up? I have looked at various things in Control Panel, but nothing seems to relate to what you wrote.

Sorry to be so thick!

Paul

This is generally through a Web Page Interface where you type in a HTTP address and then when you get the Log In Screen you enter the User Name which with most devices is Admin and the Password which is so hard to work out Password. But you'll need to read the manual for the device which should be a PDF File on the CD that comes with the thing from the ISP.

Ideally you should change these when you are in there to to something different so that you don't get someone from outside cracking the unit and adding themself as a Power User who has access to everything.

I always use a Wired Connection to setup these devices initially as it's simpler and then you need to use the Wireless Setup Wizard in XP at least which is found in the Menu under Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications. Wireless Network Setup Wizard.

Col

To determine the IP address of the router, on the boss' PC, open the command prompt (type CMD in the run text box) then type IPCONFIG in the black command window. You should see an entry for "Default Gateway" with a 4-part IP address. Enter that IP address into the address line of your browser. If you have the manual for this router, it would help. You can probably download it from the manufacturer's web site.

Bon Chance

(sorry .Martin. Based on the other posts, I thought he might need some remedial help.)

Thanks, I did run CMD and got the ip address. I deleted "automatically assign IP etc.) and entered the address. It was then I got connected - but without Internet of course. WIndows told me that the address was invalid. This is the point when the idea of throwing stuff out the window starts to appeal!

As an aside, I recall my girlfriend buying a wireless transmitter and receiver to connect her laptop to her PC. "Five minutes" the blurb said to set up. This was an outrageous lie. Hours of fiddling and swearing. We went out for beer. She finally figured it out next day - I had to walk away from it - something to do with channels. Naturally there was no mention of this in the instructions, so I had to have another rant!

Thanks again

Paul