A+ Networking Lesson 3

Installing and Configuring Networks

To connect a computer to a network, you must install a NIC in the computer. You can use wireless technology to connect a computer to a wireless network. Some wireless devices, such as printers, keyboards, and mice, use Bluetooth or infrared wireless technology to connect to a computer.

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

Install and configure networks


Installing and Configuring a Cable Broadband Connection

A cable broadband connection provides fast Internet access through coaxial cable. A cable broadband connection is relatively cheaper than other broadband connections. It provides faster Internet download speeds than dial-up access.

To configure cable broadband on your computer, you need a cable modem, usually provided by your ISP. A cable modem is pre-configured; you don't need to perform any additional configurations.



Configuring a NIC with a Static IP Address


Configuring a NIC with a Static IP Address
























Automatic Private IP Addressing

Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP support Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). If a client can't communicate with a DHCP server at startup, APIPA enables DHCP clients to automatically configure their IP addresses and subnet masks.

A client configured with APIPA will periodically attempt to locate a DHCP server. Once the DHCP server is found, APIPA is not used.

When a computer uses APIPA, Windows determines the IP address in reverse order. APIPA addresses range from 169.254.0.0 through 169.254.255.255, with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0.



Wireless Access Points

Wireless access points are used in wireless networks for connecting wireless devices. Each access point supports connections up to a specified distance. In a large wireless LAN, you may have to install a number of wireless access points to establish connectivity.

To configure wireless access points, you should provide the IP address and gateway address in wireless access point settings. You can use wireless access points as a router and a DHCP.



Let's examine the terminology and technology involved with configuring wireless access points. To learn more about each wireless feature.

Wireless Application Protocol
Wireless Transport Layer Security
Wired Equivalent Privacy
Service Set Identifier




Wireless Application Protocol

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) uses Wireless Markup Language (WML) to format data to fit into smaller displays, such as those found in Personal Communication System (PCS) phones and PDAs. Data is sent in compressed binary packets.


Wireless Transport Layer Security

The Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS) is based on the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol and derived from the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. WTLS provides security for WAP applications in the form of data integrity, privacy, authentication, and Denial-of-Service (DoS) protection.

WTLS helps address wireless issues such as limited processing power, memory, and bandwidth. Wireless transactions require strict security measures because of their vulnerability to data interception. WTLS provides an optimized handshake mechanism that allows keys to be changed periodically during a wireless session.


Wired Equivalent Privacy

The Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encrypts data as it is transmitted between a wireless client and the access point. WEP can be used to secure transmissions after authentication.

WEP does not provide encryption during authentication, and it allows user credentials to be broadcast in clear text. WEP can be effective when used with other security methods, such as passwords, authentication, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and encryption of all data transmissions.


Service Set Identifier

A Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a network name that is broadcast in clear text. The SSID identifies the presence of a wireless network to any wireless client that is in range. In secure environments wireless clients can be configured with the SSID for their network, thereby eliminating the need to broadcast the identity and availability of the wireless network.

When you configure a wireless access point as a router and a DHCP, you should specify the SSID in the user computers. To ensure the security of the network, you should also change the password while configuring a wireless access point.