Step 3 - Joining a wireless network

With network settings complete, you can now join a wireless network using the client software supplied by the wireless adapter vendor. For most computers, it was installed with the driver software you added earlier or at the factory if you already had wireless capabilities built-in. The installer may have placed an icon for the client software in your system tray, or you can access it from the Start > Programs menu.

1. With your wireless adapter drivers installed and the adapter connected or installed, start your PC. When your primary network connection appears, you will see a balloon announcing it pop up from the taskbar.

2. Right-click on the Network Connection icon to which the balloon points. If the balloon disappears before you have a chance to click, move the cursor over the icon, using the tooltip to choose the wireless connection, rather than another network icon, say for an Ethernet connection, that may be on the Taskbar.

3. Choose View Available Wireless Networks from the menu.

4. You will see a list of all wireless networks in the upper portion of the window. Click a incipient to select it. Leave the Network key fields and the Enable IEEE checkbox blank and click Connect.

5. Test your connection by launching a web browser.

1. From the Start menu, choose Programs and locate the folder or application that is named for your wireless adapter or it manufacturer. (e.g. Orinoco, Linksys, etc.)

2. Choose the client application. NOTE: The name will vary with the vendor of your the equipment. (Example: For the Orinoco adapter, choose Start > Programs > Orinoco > Wireless Network Settings.)

3. In the Add/Edit Configuration Profile window, click Add to create a new configuration profile for the new network.

4. In the Edit Configuration window that appears next, enter a name for this network profile. (Incipient, for example).

5. Leave the Network Type set to Access Point unless you are creating or joining a peer-to-peer network. An access-point network is one managed by a wireless access point or router. A peer-to-peer network consists only of wirelessly connected computers. Click Next.

6. Type the SSID (Network Name) of the wireless network, or click Scan to find it. All Incipient locations use the same SSID: incipient. If you chose to scan for networks, select incipient, click OK and then click Next.

7. Typically, you can leave the WEP and Power Management options set at their defaults. NOTE: WEP should be disabled for most hotspot locations.

8. If you use multiple wireless networks as you travel with your laptop, you should check Renew IP Address when selecting this profile. When you join a new wireless network, your computer must acquire a new IP address in order to communicate with the access point. Renewing your IP address when you change profiles ensures that your settings will be up-to-date when you join the new network.

9. Click Finish and then click OK.

10. Test your connection by launching a web browser.

If you're using Apple drivers to power your Apple or third-party wireless adapter, getting connected to an available network is extremely simple. You will use the same procedure whether you're using AirPort or airport Extreme equipment. Note that you will need an administrator account on the Mac. Follow these steps:

1. With the AirPort or compatible adapter installed, start up your Mac and open the System Preferences (Apple Menu > System Preferences).

2. Click the Network icon to view networking options.

3. Choose AirPort from the Show menu to view setting for your wireless connection. If you don't see AirPort, choose Network Port Configuration instead, click the checkbox next to AirPort and then click Apply Now to activate the new configuration.

4. With the AirPort item selected from the Show menu, click the AirPort tab.

5. Activate the Join a specific network radio button. You'll see a list of available networks when you pull down the arrow next to the Network field.

6. By default, Mac OS X assumes that your will obtain an IP address from a DHCP server on the wireless network.

7. Test your connection by launching a web browser.

1. Choose Apple menu > Control Panels > TCP/IP.

2. To add settings for TCP/IP while preserving your current TCP/IP configuration, choose File > Configuration.

3. Select a configuration and click Duplicate.

4. Click Rename, and call the configuration Wireless.

5. Select Wireless and click Make Active.

6. Choose Airport from the Connect via menu.

7. If your computer gets its IP address from a server, choose Using DHCP Server from the Configure menu. If you have been assigned an IP address by your ISP or system administrator, enter the address and the other information provided for your network.

8. Close the TCP/IP window and save changes when you're asked.

9. Choose AirPort from the Apple menu. If you don't find the AirPort application there, you will find it in the AirPort folder, inside the Apple Extras folder.

10. Available wireless networks appear on the Choose Network menu in the AirPort application. Pull down the Choose Network menu and select from the list of available wireless networks.

11. Once you have connected to a network, its signal appears in the AirPort application.

12. If your network requires a password, you will be asked to enter it once you have selected the network. Enter the password.

13. The signal strength of your chosen network appears in the AirPort window. Close the application.

14. To test your connection, open a Web browser.

15. If you need to use AppleTalk resources (such as printers) on your local network, you need to enable AppleTalk. Choose Apple menu > Control Panels > AppleTalk.

16. Choose AirPort from the Connect via menu.

17. Close and save your changes.

18. Test your connection by launching a web browser.

Other Considerations

Two kinds of users will not be able to use Apple's AirPort drivers to make a wireless connection: those whose Macs don't have AirPort slots, and those who have chosen to use a third-party device that they may have on hand.

A few vendors, including Asante and MacWireless, produce PC cards that are compatible with many Apple PowerBooks. These vendors include their own software drivers. USB adapters are also available, though they're difficult to find. Older iMacs are the target audience for these devices.

If you want to add wireless access to an older Mac -- one that doesn't have an AirPort slot, you will need a third-party wireless adapter and probably a third-party driver as well. The exception is the Lucent/Orinoco/Avaya series of wireless PC cards, which run just fine using AirPort drivers. The cards contain the same Lucent-manufactured radios that the original AirPort card does.

If you intend to use another brand of adapter, you have two choices: find a card that comes with Mac drivers (most do not) or buy a driver from a vendor like IOXperts or MacWireless, both of whom offer drivers that claim to support most PC card wireless adapters.
Though any PowerBook using OS 9 can be made to work on a wireless network, you probably won't find a PCI-based adapter that can be made to work with an older Mac. A few companies produce USB adapters that work with old iMacs-the models that don't support an AirPort card.