There are two basic types of networks that I’m going to talk about in this article first being the infamous ICS or Internet Connection Sharing. ICS is usually implemented by connecting multiple computers through the hub to a single computer. Let’s say we have three computers, Computer A, Computer B and Computer C. Computer A has enjoyed a high speed Internet connection and after a while, Computer B and C want to get in on the action! In order to implement ICS, we would have to connect Computers B and C to a hub.

A hub is basically a switch that allows any computer hooked up to it to communicate with any other computer hooked up to the hub. So with all three computers hooked up to it, we would set the network up on the computers to use ICS. Computers B and C would be told that they’re going to connect to the Internet through another computer that has a high-speed Internet connection. While Computer A would be configured to enjoy its high-speed connection as it did before.

Like this, Computers B and C would enjoy a relatively fast connection to the Internet as would Computer A. The problem here starts when all three computers are accessing the Internet at the same time. Computers B and C would enjoy a relatively fast connection to the Internet while Computer A would suffer some moderate slowdowns because it not only has to handle its own traffic but the traffic of the other two computers as well. The user on Computer A is going to get quite upset if Computers B and C decide to download files at the same time. Because downloading a file is such a data intensive process, demanding large amounts of data be transferred from the Internet as fast as possible, Computers A may suffer some severe speed problems because of the demand being put on it from the other two computers.

Unfortunately because of the fact that the hub does not have built-in firewall or any other such software that can protect the computers behind the hub Computers A must also be running Windows firewall in the background which provides an additional performance hit.

So although the ICS is the cheapest way to go, it is definitely not the speediest way to go. In fact, to be honest, I would only follow this route if the users of Computers B and C had something against the user of Computer A and want to get even!

The second type of setup that I’m going to talk about it is the router based set up. Nice thing about the router is that most routers are very intelligent. They have built-in firewalls, parental controls, can block sites or even allow users to have access to your network from the outside if they know the proper passwords and/or ports to connect through. No additional software is required that might add a performance hit and all three computers get configured the same way.

To hook up or router you simply plug a cable from your Internet connection into the router then plug the three computers into the router as well. When you set up your computers you tell networking software that all three will computers have direct access to the Internet. There is some setup involved with router as is usual with any complicated piece of hardware but usually it is very painless and if you follow the instructions, quite easy!

The nice thing about router set up is that once it is set, up all three computers enjoy the same speed advantages of being on a high-speed Internet. No one computer is impacted by the fact that someone else is downloading a file. In fact, all three can download a file at the same time and still enjoy impressive speed while doing so! Face it guys this is the network that you want to set up if your wife is on Computer A!

Routers tend to be a little more expensive than hubs but the advantages of having them a part your network far outweigh any price difference. So if you must go with ICS, then do so with pride! But personally, I would recommend spending the extra money to go the “router route”!

Don Willson is 53 years old and living in Virginia. Not new to writing H enjoys sharing his knowledge of computers! For more information on setting up your home network, visit his webpage at http://donwenterprises.com/networkingebook/index.htm

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What can a wireless network and a wireless router offer? The answer can be reduced to a single word: mobility. Offering the user with the possibility of giving up all worried that included things like the length of the cable, the timeframe it took to install a classic router as well as the reduces costs of finishing the network connection, the wireless routers are a real trend these days.

Because such a router allows an increased mobility for a notebook user, and because the notebook sales have also exploded over the last couple of years, the market for wireless devices is flourishing right now. Great wireless producers like D-Link, Linksys or 3COM have enrolled in a race to enhance and perfect the wireless fidelity standard.

When the Wifi standard was launched along with wireless routers, the maximum transfer speed reached about 1-2 mb/s, and now we can enjoy devices that reach 1024 mb.

Next to the classic laptops and desktops, more and more producers have implemented wifi modules in game consoles like Sony PSP. PS 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wiii, mobile phones like Nokia, LG, Motorola and many more, smartphones, digital photo frames, printers and so on. All these new devices make a wireless router some kind of wireless heaven of accessibility for the user, regardless if he wants to use a notebook or a desktop, or a game console, printer or phone. Users that do not have a wireless router and are connected to a broadband router can use an access point or a hot spot to gain themselves wireless signal.

This device can easily replace a router in cases in which it will be used for areas that do not go over 100 meters.

With all the advantages that the wireless routers are offering to users, they did not reach perfection yet, and their main problem remains security. Even if there are various types of efforts conducted to improve their security, even the safest networks are still far more unsecured than broadband networks. Broadband routers also have greater traffic speeds than the wireless ones, and the prices are a bit lower.

But since they do not offer the needed mobility, people dont care that much about they aspect, when they know they want to take the laptop along in bed with them and watch a late night internet movie or chat with distant friends or even finish up the last minute adjustments to tomorrows presentation project.

Mark Dunne is a writer providing advice on Apple iPhone if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

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Additionally, the wireless configuration allows you to have a great deal of flexibility in how you locate equipment around the home or office.

In order to set up a wireless network that is internet ready, you will need only two primary components.

The first is wireless LAN (or Local Area Network) cards. It’s important that each PC on the network have its own wireless card.

They need to be inserted into an unused PCI slot located inside of a PC. The antenna portion of the card should be at the back of the PC with the antenna extending up.

Installing the LAN card is not a complicated operation, and can be accomplished by a novice in computer installation. Simply open the computer case carefully and find the slot where the LAN card fits. There is likely only one available, but any computer that does not have a built in wireless system will have a LAN slot.

Ground yourself by touching something metal or plastic to dispel static, then screw the card into the slot with the screws provided. Make the electrical connections, replace the PC covers, then start up the computer. You’ll need to intall drivers specifically for that LAN card. Repeat for each computer that will be on the network.

The second component of a basic wireless network is the wireless router. These routers allow you to share a single internet connection between numerous computers. Depending on the router’s specifications, they can accommodate between four and sixteen computers on a single wireless router.

If you have internet from your cable provider, they may have supplied a cable modem, but those are rarely wireless. You’ll need to plug a wireless router into the modem, then route your PCs through it. If you have a DSL or ADSL connection, purchase a DSL modem.

You’ll then configure your network. Log onto your router/modem through your PC. Read the owner’s manual for the router for specific directions. You’ll want to direct it to automatically assign IP addresses to any PC attached to it. It’s recommended that you stick to basic network configurations and use the 192.168.01 as the first IP address and the 0.9 as the ending address, which gives you the potential for eight additional devices to be installed, if you like.

You want your router to be the primary gateway and also the primary DNS, so both of these boxes should be set to the router IP (182.168.0.1). Other boxes should be blank or contain default indicators.

The next step is to go to the Network Connections screen in a PC start menu, right click on wireless network and go through properties to indicate that you want the router to obtain an IP address automatically.

Laptop repair is cheaper than having to replace it. If you run into these situations, you will need to hire a onsite computer repair service in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Ottawa. We also offer Wireless network installation.

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1) If you are having a connection problem, your internet provider may be having problems. Check your own connections to make sure a cable is not unplugged. Unplug each of your devices and reconnect each cable to make sure you have a good connection.

2) A message saying your computer is low on memory does not always mean you have to buy more memory. Click on the Task Manager and close hidden programs to free memory.

3) If you have memory errors, run a current virus checker.

4) If your computer crashes, reboot it, and run ScanDisk to see if there is an error. The scandisk will fix the error. You can also defragment your computer. It will put files back in order and free up disk space.

5) If your computer crashes before you have saved your file, use autorecovery to retrieve the lost file. The file may also be located in a temporary file folder. Check your temporary file folder to see if the file is there.

6) If your computer freezes, enter Ctrl-Alt-Del. It will bring up a list of running programs. Check to see if a program is not responding. Click on the program and choose ‘end program’. You can also reboot your computer to see if it resolves the problem

When you see a message that says you have a motherboard failure, you need to contact a computer maintenance expert. After trying all measures to resolve the problem with no success, you should contact a computer maintenance expert. They will work remotely from their own computer, come to your home or office, or you can take your computer to their office. Maintain a record outlining everything you have tried so they don’t have to repeat them.

Computer maintenance experts provide the following services:

- Replacing missing or corrupt driver files
- Updating and reconfiguring a motherboard system
- Performing hardware diagnostic on hard drives, memory, CPU, and motherboard systems
- Hard disk optimization and defragmentation
- Downloading and installing updated driver files
- Antivirus checks to locate potentially dangerous dormant viruses within your system. They will remove the viruses from your computer
- Updating your system with the latest software
- Checking for communication conflicts
- Cleaning up old files

- Identifying corrupt or missing driver files
- Checking and repairing your computer registry
- Resolving computer fatal errors
- Repairing invalid system boot configurations.
- Reinstalling or repairing operating systems.
- Small network installation and configuration
- Scanning hard disk for boot record problems
- Restoring slow computers to their original performing speed.
- Repairing , restoring, and troubleshooting the internet connection
- Recovering and extracting data from faulty computers
- Computer setup and security

This is just a small list of the many services a computer maintenance expert provides. In order to help keep your computer free of serious errors, you should clean your equipment regularly. You should also back up your data so you do not lose important documents in the event of a serious computer crash.

Computer maintenance experts are qualified to deal with any computer issue. They are certified from accredited schools and experienced in all computer areas. If you find yourself in a situation where you have had no success resolving your problem, your best option is to contact a computer maintenance expert.

Know that repairing a computer or laptop repair is not cheap, but it can be cheaper than having to replace the computer. Similar if you have a network installation Toronto or Wireless network installation Montreal. If you run into these situations, you will need to hire a onsite computer repair service Ottawa, Montreal, Hamilton, Ottawa visit us.

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Early business telephone systems offered few facilities. You could make and receive calls with larger systems having an attendant facility to handle incoming calls.

This is so far removed from the current Unified Communications systems and Telepresence solutions that we enjoy today, yet many businesses still only use basic telephony facilities. Effective communication is essential to maximize productivity – essential to survive and thrive through a credit crunch where only the strong will survive. When businesses embrace Unified Communications the result is an increase in productivity. This enables staff to become very responsive to customers needs, making it difficult for your competition (they will be talking to your customers) to gain momentum.

It is almost impossible to remember what life was like before emails dominated a major part of our lives and where would we be without our online diaries? Yet, if your email; diaries, telephony and other PC applications (e.g. CRM software) are being used independently, your business is missing out on a wide range of productivity gains. In a Unified Communications solution, the telephone system integrates fully with your email, diary and other PC applications. Adding video and some integrated applications and we have a telepresence solution (the ability to virtually ‘be somewhere else’ and act as if you were actually present, via telecommunications).

How many times have you looked up someone’s number on your PC and then manually dialed the number on your handset only to dial the wrong number? This can be very frustrating especially if you are under pressure. Imagine the cost of this when you multiply the number of times this happens by the number of staff you have. This is a simple example of the benefit of Unified Communications.

Think about the process of going into a meeting. You schedule the meeting in your diary some time before the event. Just before you go into the meeting you may have to divert your telephone, you may also need to record a new message. What if you have an urgent call that you want to take during the meeting? Multiply this by the number of meetings you and other members of staff attend.

What do you do when you are working away from the office? Do you have to set up your ‘out of office’ configuration before you go out? Are your communications as effective when you are out of the office? Do you have any home workers? If so, do they appear as if they are in the office even when they are working at home?

All of these benefits are available with a Unified Communications solution. When I am meetings my telephone system identifies from the entry in my diary that I am in a meeting. When the meeting is due to end, it sends me a discrete notice that the meeting is about to end and asks if I want extend the time. I can set exceptions to allow specific callers to be diverted to my mobile rather than voicemail if I need to take their calls. When I am away from the office I can take calls on my mobile. I can also have voicemails emailed to me as sound files that I can play on my PC or on my PDA.

Connecting the telephone systems using Internet VPN connections via local domestic broadband services in their respective countries and a business broadband connection into our office. It is very difficult to quantify the cost savings and productivity gains we have enjoyed since deploying our own Unified Communications solution, what I do know is, we cannot survive without it!

Astro Communications Ltd, a UK based specialist network communications engineering company. Astro specialize in delivering voice, data, video and network security solutions and they are about to introduce a new energy saving service. To learn how you can reduce business costs, improve productivity and secure your network, visit: http://www.astro.co.uk

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One way that people accidentally end up with viruses or spyware on their computer is by not paying attention to the sites they use. Don’t get into the habit of giving out your personal information online just because a site asks for it. To opt in, you should only have to give them a first name and an email address.

Always check the address in the URL to make sure you are accessing a secure site. It should start with https as this will let you know it is very secure. If it only starts with http then the site is not secure and you can end up compromising the security of your computer if you continue entering information on the site.

Viruses can spread very rapidly so if you think your computer may be infected, you should take care not to pass it to any other area of your computer or to others via email. By disconnecting your computer from the network you have a good chance of isolating the damages.

Always be on the alert for various types of emails known as phishing. This is a scam to get you to provide personal information. Once you do, spyware can be attached to your computer. Never respond to emails asking you for personal information as most credible companies won’t contact you for such information.

Make sure you purchase a virus and spyware protection program that is very easy to install. Most of them offer step by step instructions for you to follow. You can find out how easy such software programs are to install before you buy them just by reading some independent reviews online.

You need to choose the program for your computer protection very carefully. While they are designed to give you the very best security, you can be sure those trying to pass viruses or get spyware into your system are very smart. They have learned elaborate tricks to be able to gain access to your information.

One of the latest tactics that these criminals have been using is to sell software that is supposed to protect your computer from viruses and spyware. Unfortunately, what they are selling you is actually the very thing you are trying to protect yourself against. Always get such software from a company that has an excellent reputation, not just any one that you come across online for a good price.

In order to ensure your computer is well protected against viruses and spyware, you want a program that offers you instant updates. These will usually happen for one full year after you install the program. This ensures that your protective software is always the most current available and criminals will have a hard time infecting your computer system with viruses or spyware.

This article is distributed by MDofPC LLC MDofPC Custom Computers and Download Software

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Minimizing these types of components makes it possible to build today a wireless network which can work on batteries for years, even if it is not under strict surveillance. The wireless sensor network is a measuring instrument that is virtually manages, which means it is handled with the help of a computer.

ZigBee represents the definition of a technical specification utilized in digital radio protocols of communications, of small power, based of the wireless IEE 802.15.4 standard for personal wireless networks. The ZigBee 1.0 version has been accepted and standardized on the 14th of December 2004.

Operating on the radio frequencies of 868 Mhz in Europe, 915 Mhz in USA and 2.4Ghz in most countries, a ZigBee radio circuit that has been produces in a very small series in the USA used to cost around 1 dollar and the price of a small controller for this network is smaller than 3 dollars. Using a technology that is much simpler and much cheaper than the one in regular wireless networks, with software dimensions that are between 2% and 10% out of the ones used for a typical Bluetooth hotspot, the ZigBee networks are designed for applications with low consumptions of power (changing batteries can be done in some cases once every two years) and that do not need high transfer rates.

A zigbee wireless network can be used in a wide amount of domains, from industrial controls, to networks with integrated sensors, Getting medical data and in anti-fire and anti-theft systems or even in automatic devices that permit the existence of intelligent buildings and homes.

In the end, it is clear that these networks have been around for a while and we are probably making used of the wireless technology in many other ways, more than we dream of. Its not only the mobile phones, laptops and entertainment devices the ones that need wireless to function.

There are so many other more vital thing that are using the wireless technology that we cant even imagine, and the fact that the wireless network used by those devices are even more evolved and a lot more secure than the ones we use in our everyday browsing makes us wonder how come we have never though about their existence.

Mark Dunne is a writer providing advice on Xbox 360 Wireless Reciver if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

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1. Bluetooth is a global standard, a universal technology and it will not fall out of fashion or disappear too soon. The money invested in equipments will not get wasted because we are still at the beginning of its development and we will be seeing more and more devices that will use this technology.

2. You can create a mini-network that is only yours, and the support is for 7 devices that use Bluetooth and are simultaneously connected, at a maximum distance of 30 meters. This is in most cases more than enough in case of a normal home.

3. This is a technology that can be easily enhanced. Researchers are already working on better versions, and safer versions. So, this is a future technology.

4. Bluetooth transformed hands free in hands FREE, having the greatest success in mobile technology. Driving, riding a bike and anything else you might think of is a lot easier when you are on the phone.

5. It has low energy consumption. Bluetooth devices do not require a lot of energy to work, because the technology has been optimized for a low consumption, perfect for mobile devices.

6. It has a standard protocol, all devices using Bluetooth are compatible and in the network anyone can get connected. I have never seen a device that returns an error.

7. The connection is automatic, easy, without requiring you to do anything. If 2 devices reach a 30 meters radius they will automatically connect. All you have to do is specify that your phone is available on the Bluetooth network.

8. The Bluetooth technology is very cheap. It is easy to include and it is the preferred technology of the media companies. Because it is produced cheaply, it reaches the user at cheap prices.

9. Bluetooth is also wireless. Perhaps this is one of the best advantages, the fact that no wires are required. Wireless devices make out lives easier.

There are many uses for Bluetooth as I’m sure you are aware. You can use it in a cell phone to connect to a Car Kit or headset and use while you are driving. You can also purchase a bluetooth usb key for use in a printer which can allow you been up to wirelessly print to this without the need of cables. The technology is of course limited as it is set already like distance but if you are in a small confined area this is a cheap and useful solution.

Mark Dunne is a writer providing advice on Wireless Access Point if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

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But if you want to find for example a bench to sit on in a city park and then turn on your laptop and verify the mail you will first need to know if there are any available wireless networks in the area that allow client access freely. This can be done by finding some coverage areas from home, before leaving or by keeping the laptop or mobile device turned on all the time and scanning. Still, neither of the possibilities sounds promising. This is where the Wifi finders or Wifi detectors come in handy.

The wifi finders are small devices that work independently are their only purpose is to find and identify wireless network in the vicinity. They are used to detect wireless networks from the 802.11 protocols, and the detection is done instantly without needing to turn on the computer or the laptop. These devices usually present some type of light signals made of small led lights, that indicate the signals strength in the area. In open spaces, the wifi finders will detect wireless networks that operate no more than 60 meters away, which is a perfect opportunity of detecting networks you will actually be able to connect to if you turned on the laptop.

Using a wifi finder is as simple as it gets. All you need to do is press a button to activate it, and from here on the devices does its job. In case you are worried about other wireless signals that might be confounded with a wireless networks, know that the detectors do not present a signal when they encounter radio frequencies or frequencies that are used by mobile phone or cordless phones and microwave ovens.

A wifi finder is usually something as small as a lighter, that can be worn as a trendy keychain accessory. Because they need portability and because they work without a computer connection, these devices use batteries to function. For a person that like to spent a lot of time relaxing outside but still remains dependent to a laptop that need internet access for various reasons (work, emails, chat), a small device that can detect wireless networks in the near area is an absolute must have.

Mark Dunne is a writer providing advice on Wireless USB Set if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

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A wireless network also lets you access files and printers from anywhere in your home. It allows you to synchronize files you have on your laptop with your home computer, and you can easily send files between computers as well. Using a wireless network to transfer files is faster than sending them via e-mail or burning them to a CD! Because printers connected to one of the computers on a network are shared by all the computers on that network, you can write documents anywhere in your home, press the print button, and collect the printed files from a printer that is connected to another computer.

If you are a game player, you have probably noticed that your games often have an option to play over a local area network or LAN. Wireless networks are LANs! This means you and your family can play these games together and do not have to be on computers that are next to each other to do so. Lets face it it is more fun to play against real people, and it is even more fun to play against people you know instead of strangers on the Internet. Your games will also play much faster over your LAN. Additionally, you can connect game consoles to the Internet and begin playing these games online. It is much easier to experience online play through an Xbox or PlayStation 2 that is connected to a wireless network than have to use a modem!

Wireless network connections are always on. This means you can connect to the Internet whenever you want without waiting for your modem to dial in. Laptops can be carried from room to room, and they will always have access to the Internet. Since wireless networks operate without the need to log in, you do not need to set up usernames or passwords.

The single greatest thing about a wireless network is that it is, well, wireless! The biggest reason to have a wireless network is because it eliminates the need for costly, ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over your house. You can use your computer in any room you want no more being trapped near a phone outlet or walking over that tangle of wires in your home. The cost of getting enough Ethernet cables can add up, and sometimes, you may even have to make holes in your walls to set up a wired network. If you are renting, of course, this is impossible. With a wireless network, you do not have these problems – you can even use your computer outside if you want! And if you move, there is no need to disconnect and pack up all those wires, and you no longer have to examine all the wires for damage whenever your Internet connection goes down.

You can see how having a wireless network can simplify your life.

To find more articles and information about communication technology and wireless networks visit http://communication-tips.com

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