SETTING UP A WIRELESS INTERNET
CONNECTION AT HOME

This document is designed to outline the requirements for connecting to Internet wirelessly using an Apple iBook.

In order to access the Internet wirelessly at home, you will need the following:

• A broadband Internet connection (SBC, Comcast, etc.)
• This will provide access to the Internet at high speeds
• A wireless router
• This will route your Internet traffic so you can have multiple computers connected to Internet at once

• You have to have SBC phone service to be eligible for SBC DSL

If you are planning on setting up a Wireless Internet Connection at Home and DO NOT have broadband service, I would recommend getting SBC DSL with the Wireless option.

            Instead of giving you a DSL modem, they will give you a 2Wire DSL Modem/Router, which is to say you get both pieces at once.  The price is the same, but there is little to no setup.

• For those who choose this option, the WEP key for your network is the 10 digit number written on thebottom of the 2Wire modem/router.  To connect your iBook to this router, see To connect an iBook… at the bottom of the page.

Buying a Wireless Router:

There are several companies who make wireless routers…they are all virtually identical in quality and reliability.
            I would suggest one of the follow brands:

• Netgear
• Lynksis
• Belkin

You want to buy an 802.11G Wireless router.  This should include a 4 port wired router built in and will also broadcast in 802.11B.

• This should cost about $50 and can be found at Fry’s, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, or Best Buy

Once you have all the pieces, you want to connect them in the following manner:

1. Connect DSL/Cable Modem to Telephone Line/Cable
2. Connect DSL/Cable Modem to Wireless Router with an Ethernet Cable
3. Connect WIRED computers to the Wireless Router with Ethernet Cables
4. Connect WIRELESS computers to the Wireless Router by connecting to your network in the operating system – For the iBooks, choose the network from the Airport Icon in the menu bar
5. Run the setup utility in your Wireless Router

Some important things to remember:

• The modem, router, wired computers, and the wall access (cable or phone) need to be close together.
• Without going ANY further, your wireless connection is available to ANYONE with a wireless computer

To customize your Wireless Network and add Security:

• Connect a computer to the wired connection on the router with an Ethernet cable
• In your web browser, visit 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (depending on your router)
• Enter in the default username and password.  These can be found in the documentation that comes with the router…usually they are “admin” and “password” or “admin” and “”
• When you are connected to the router, click on Wireless Settings (or something similar).
• Change the SSID to something personalized.  This is the broadcast name of your wireless network.  (At school, the SSID is RCWJDSNet)
• Under Security (or something similar), for encryption choose the following:
• WEP
• 40 or 64 bit
• Enter a 10-digit number for your WEP key.  This will be the password to access your wireless network, so pick a 10-digit number you are going to remember.
• Update the settings and restart the router
• You will have reconnect any wireless computers to the network using the WEP key

If you have issues, visit the manufacturer’s web site.

To connect an iBook to the Wireless network you just created:

1. Under the airport icon, choose the SSID for your network
2. When the Enter Password window comes up, choose 40-bit hex from the menu
3. Enter the 10 digit password
4. Check the box next to Add to Keychain
5. Click OK