Wireless Network Windows 2000: An Overview

If you are planning to setup a connection of wireless network, Windows 2000 is the best choice. Just follow the guidelines given below, and you will be ready for wireless networking on your PC having Windows 2000 operating system.

To begin with, install a wireless network card. Make sure the card is Wi-Fi certified. This way, the card would be able to support the 11 Mbps standard IEEE 802.11b. Most probably, the card would be discovered by Windows 2000 as soon as you plug it in. There would be a pop up balloon saying 'Found New Hardware Wizard' which would then appear on your desktop screen. Simply follow the instructions given by this wizard.

After the new hardware has been found by the PC, you may have to restart it before you can actually use the hardware. The next step for you is to configure the software. Just go to the Start menu, click on Settings and then the Network and Dial up connections option. A new network connection would appear under the option, usually under the tag of Wireless Network Connection. Next go ahead to make your profile and configure your card.

As Windows 2000 does not natively support wireless network cards, you might have to install it yourself. Insert the CD that you got with the wireless network card. Right click on the Add/Edit profile or the Configuration profile where you will get a list of profiles.

Start by typing your connection name in the left field and the access point in the right. Then click on the Edit profile option and type in the network name field (SSID). Then click on the Encryption tab and choose OK.

Card configuration is also important if you want to fetch an IP-address with DHCP automatically. Begin with the Start menu then click on settings and next on the Network and Dial up Connections. Then right click on the wireless connection tab and choose properties. Then choose properties again in the window that appears on the screen. Check the Internet Protocol and click properties.

A new window will open. Select 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' and 'Obtain an IP address automatically', then click OK. Then restart the computer before you progress. Your wireless networking card is installed, set up and ready to use.

So, you see this isnĀ't such a hard job to install a wireless network,Windows 2000, in your computer. However, if you still feel that you would not be able to do the job well, you can even call in professionals to do the installation for you. Now, go ahead with confidence.