Dell Latitude D630 User's Guide - Page 63

Wireless Local Area Network A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves rather than through a network cable connected to each computer. In a WLAN, a radio communications device called an access point or wireless router connects network computers and provides Internet, or network, access. The access point or wireless router and the wireless network card in the computer communicate by broadcasting data from their antennas over the air waves. What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Before you can set up a WLAN, you need: • High-speed (broadband) Internet access (such as cable or DSL) • A broadband modem that is connected and working • A wireless router or access point • A wireless network card for each computer that you want to connect to your WLAN • A network cable with a network (RJ-45) connector Checking Your Wireless Network Card Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the computer has a variety of configurations. To confirm that your computer has a wireless network card and to determine the type of card, use one of the following: • The Start button and the Connect To option • The order confirmation for your computer Start Button and Connect To Option In Microsoft Windows XP, click Start→ Connect To→ Show all connections. In Microsoft Windows Vista, click Start→ Connect To→ View network computers and devices. If Wireless Network Connection does not appear under LAN or High-Speed Internet, you may not have a wireless network card. Setting Up and Using Networks 63