Your Guide To Wireless

Apple Releases New AirPort Extreme Base Station

While Steve Jobs was showing off the iPhone and the Apple TV, Apple quietly introduced a new AirPort Extreme Base Station that supports 802.11n, a networking standard that works up to five times faster and at up to twice the range of the previous version. The new base station will be available around the same time as the Apple TV. The new AirPort Extreme Base Station marks a radical design departure from its predecessors. While the older Base Stations had a squat, teardrop-shaped design, the new model features a beveled square shape similar to that of the Mac mini and the new Apple TV. It measures 6.5 inches square and 1.3 inches tall. Based on a draft specification of the 802.11n standard, the new AirPort Extreme Base Station is backward-compatible with the earlier 802.11g standard and works with 802.11b- and 802.11a-based devices. 802.11n uses a technique known as multipleinput, multiple-output (MIMO) to achieve faster performance and a longer range. While 802.11n offers seamless connectivity with older products, the performance of an 802.11n network will slow down if you connect slower devices to it. Newer Macs specifically Core 2 Duo iMacs (excluding the 17-inch 1.83GHz model), Core 2 Duo MacBooks and MacBook Pros, and Mac Pros include compatible hardware, but it must be enabled through software that’s included with the new Base Station. The Base Station also lets you share USB-based printers and hard disk drives with the network, and it can support a hub, so you can attach multiple devices. Software included with the device lets you create password-protected accounts or limit access to certain files and folders. The device itself can support as many as 50 users at once.

Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapters

The Xbox 360 can do more than just play video games. When connected to a network, you can stream images, music, and in some cases video to your Xbox 360. If your network includes an Internet connection, you can download games and demos from Xbox Live Marketplace and play against other players via Xbox Live. Unfortunately, networking your Xbox 360 isn’t always easy. After all, most of us don’t have Ethernet in our living rooms, and running a cable across the floor isn’t the most atheistic solution. Microsoft’s Wireless Network Adapter lets you connect your Xbox 360 to your home network from nearly any room in your home, and it does so without the need to string Ethernet all over the house. The Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter offers support for the three major wireless network standards and several different security standards, making the adapter compatible with any existing wireless network you might already have in place. Supported network standards include 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The latter two of these standards are more popular, but Microsoft recommends using 802.11a if possible because it’s less susceptible to interference. Even so, it’s also harder to find 802.11a-compatible devices if you plan to add other devices to your network. Securing a wireless network is crucial because RF signals aren’t confined to your home. As a result, it’s possible for neighbors or anyone nearby to join an unsecured network. If you’re just playing Madden NFL 06, this isn’t a big deal; but it is a problem if you have other systems on your wireless network that contain sensitive information. Although locking down your network is crucial, you also have to be sure that all devices on your network support the security standard you choose. The Wireless Network Adapter supports WPA, WPA-2, and both 64-bit and 128-bit WEP. WPA-2 is the most secure standard, but it’s new and older devices don’t support it. WPA isn’t quite as secure as WPA-2, but it’s been around longer, so it has the support of a larger number of wireless devices. Finally, there’s WEP, which is the weakest of these security standards, but nearly every device supports WEP. Of course, 128-bit WEP is more secure than 64-bit WEP. You also can use the Wireless Network Adapter to connect two Xbox 360 units. Simply connect an adapter to each Xbox 360 and configure each unit using the same network settings. The Wireless Network Adapter itself is small and connects neatly to the back of the Xbox 360. It plugs into the USB port located on the rear of the system (above the Ethernet port), and the adapter draws power directly from Xbox 360’s USB port, so there’s no need for an additional power cable. The adapter also includes a status LED that indicates when the adapter is online (a green light) and whether it’s experiencing any hardware issues (a flashing red light). If you decide to plug in an Ethernet cable, the adapter automatically shuts off because the Xbox 360 will choose a wired connection over a wireless connection. [tags]Xbox 360, Wireless[/tags]

Play Online Without Cables (Part 2)

Continue from Part 1 The Wireless Network Adapter includes two tabs that fit perfectly into the two slots on the back of the Xbox 360. Once connected, plug the Wireless Network Adapter’s cable into the USB port on the back of the Xbox 360 and swivel the antenna so it points straight up. After connecting the Wireless Network Adapter, power on the Xbox 360 and use the D-pad to select the System tab. Select Network Settings followed by Edit Settings. If you haven’t configured any security options on your wireless router, your Xbox 360 may automatically connect to your network. Press B to return to the previous menu. To configure your wireless settings, select Wireless Mode. In most cases, your router will broadcast its SSID and you’ll see your network listed. Select your network from the list. If your network doesn’t appear, select Specify An Unlisted Network and provide the proper SSID. Next, select the security method you use. Options include WPA2, WPA Passphrase, 128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, and No Security. Enter the key or passphrase from your wireless router. When finished, the Xbox 360 should connect to your wireless network. Select Test Network Connection in the System tab of your Xbox 360. Once you’ve finished configuring your network, press B to return to the Network Settings screen and select Test Xbox Live Connection. If you’ve configured a PC to share media with your Xbox, select Test Media Connection. If you fail a test, select More Info to find out what you need to do to solve the problem. If you’re connecting to another Xbox 360, connect a Wireless Network Adapter to both Xbox 360s. Select the System tab in the Xbox 360 Dashboard and select Edit Network. Enter the same wireless network settings for both units. In most cases, it’s relatively easy to connect to a wireless network, but when you do have problems, it’s not always easy to track them down. If you’re having trouble connecting to your wireless network, start by making sure there’s not a physical problem. Check the LED on the Wireless Network Adapter. If the LED isn’t on, the Wireless Network Adapter isn’t getting any power. Make sure you’ve plugged the Wireless Network Adapter into the USB port. A flashing red LED indicates a hardware problem. Try unplugging the Wireless Network Adapter and plugging it back into the USB port. If this doesn’t clear up the problem, your Wireless Network Adapter may have a problem. A red LED indicates that the Wireless Network Adapter is functioning properly, but not connected to a wireless network. Start by checking the Xbox 360’s wireless settings and ensuring that they match the settings on your wireless router. If you still have problems, try temporarily disabling your wireless network’s security settings and seeing if you can connect. If you can connect without security enabled, try using a different security option and see if it helps. Although radio signals can pass through walls, structures do weaken the signal. Microsoft recommends not having more than two floors and/or two walls between your wireless router and your Xbox 360. Wireless networks typically have a range of about 300-feet. If you have too many structures or too much distance between your wireless router and your Xbox 360, try moving one of them. If you’re having performance issues, make sure you don’t have any devices that are interfering with your wireless connection. Keep cordless phones, microwave ovens, and other devices as far away from your router and Xbox 360 as possible. Ideally, turn off any competing devices. If you’re trying to stream audio or video from a desktop PC using 802.11g, make sure no 802.11b devices are connected and slowing down the network. Once you have everything configured properly, you’ll enjoy the freedom of wireless networking. Not only do you not need to run an Ethernet cable across the floor, but you can easily move your Xbox 360 from one room to another while staying online. [tags]Xbox 360, Wireless[/tags]

Play Online Without Cables (Part 1)

When Microsoft’s original Xbox emerged, it featured an integrated Ethernet port that let you play against other players through a special Ethernet cable or via Microsoft’s Xbox Live. The Xbox 360 includes an integrated Ethernet port as well. Unlike the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 lets you do more than just play games online. With the Xbox 360 you can stream digital images, music, and video from other PCs. If you’re dying to get your Xbox 360 connected to your home PC, but reluctant to string an Ethernet cable across the living room floor, Microsoft’s Wireless Network Adapter is the way to go. The Wireless Network Adapter supports virtually all wireless network standards available today. That means if you already have a wireless network in place, the Wireless Network Adapter should be compatible with it. If you’re new to wireless networking, however, you should understand the basic differences between wireless standards. Microsoft recommends using 802.11a. This standard has a top-speed of 54Mbps under ideal conditions. What makes 802.11a advantageous is not its speed but the 5GHz frequency it uses to send and receive data. Few wireless devices use this 5GHz band, making 802.11a less susceptible to interference. 802.11b and 802.11g are more widely used than 802.11a. Both operate in the more crowded 2.4GHz band, making them more susceptible to interference from cordless phones, Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, microwave ovens, and even Microsoft’s own wireless controllers. 802.11g is theoretically as fast as 802.11a although interference from other devices may reduce the network’s performance. 802.11b operates at a much slower 11Mbps. 802.11g speeds can fall to 11Mbps when an 802.11b device connects to the network. You can also connect two Xbox 360 units to one another. To network two Xbox 360s, you’ll need a Wireless Network Adapter for each system. If you don’t already have a wireless network in place, you’ll need to configure your wireless router. Each router is different so you’ll need to consult your router’s documentation for more information. In general, however, you’ll connect your broadband modem to the wireless router’s WAN (not to be confused with WLAN). Usually, you’ll need to connect at least one computer to one of the wireless router’s LAN ports. You’ll use this system to configure the router. Consult you router’s documentation for more information about configuring your router. You can get all the information you need from your wireless router. Normally, you configure your router through a Web browser. If you don’t know how to configure your router, consult your router’s documentation. You’ll need to find the wireless network name (often referred to as a Service Set Identifier or SSID), the wireless channel your router uses, and your security settings. Specifically, you’ll need to know the security standard your router uses and any keys or passphrases. The Wireless Network Adapter supports WPA-2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA, and WEP (Wired Equivalence Privacy). WPA-2 is the best security standard, and WPA is better then WEP. WEP is better than nothing and might be your only choice if using older equipment. The Wireless Network Adapter supports 64-bit and 128-bit WEP keys. To continue in Part 2 [tags]XBox 360, Wireless[/tags]

Skype Calls With No Strings Attached

The best thing Skype’s Internet phone service has going for it is its price: Calls are free. Usually, however, to make and receive calls, you must be attached to your PC. Now, new handsets permit you to roam around your house while connected to a Skype account. Logitech’s impressive Cordless Internet Handset is one such device. Essentially the handset looks and operates like an ordinary cordless phone, but above its keypad is a sixline color LCD that displays all of your Skype contacts and call logs. Its base station links to your PC via USB; Logitech says that the product will offer clear calling at up to 164 feet away. I traveled just over 200 feet from the base station and still had a great connection. Installing the phone was more difficult than it ought to have been, however. The setup software failed to start automatically, forcing me to dig through several menu layers to start the process manually. Then, after the program and drivers were activated, you need to reboot my system, to activate the newly installed driver. Once successfully installed, the Skype-certified phone performs the various functions of Skype’s desktop application directly on your receiver. A dedicated Skype button below the phone’s keypad displays a scrollable list of your contacts, allowing you to see who is online and available to talk. From there you can connect via free Skype-to-Skype calls. In addition you can use the handset to access fee-based Skype-In and SkypeOut services for connecting calls to and from landline and cell phones. Drawback When the base station is connected to your computer’s USB port, all other sound on the PC is muted. You can’t, for example, listen to MP3s until you disconnect the phone. If you are a regular Skype user and would like to be free of your PC, the Cordless Internet Handset is an attractive, albeit imperfect, option. [tags]Skype Phone[/tags]

Hava Wireless HD

TV used to be so simple. You sat down on the couch, grabbed the remote control, and watched your favorite shows when they were on. Today it’s anything but simple. You have to make sense of HDTVs and LCDs and DVRs. As if all that weren’t enough, now you face a wave of “placeshifting” devices, too: gadgets that allow you to watch your TV even if you’re not in the same room or building as the set. Hava Wireless HD offer some excellent features because of its easier setup and better video quality. Hava Wireless HD are similar to the Slingbox AV, a popular place-shifting device. Like the Slingbox, the Hava let you watch your TV from any Internet-connected computer, and even from certain portable devices. The devices work via a hardware component that you attach to your TV and video source and then connect to your home network, and include a software component that you install on your computer. Much like the Slingbox AV, the Hava was a snap to install. About the size of a large textbook, the Hava is slightly bigger than the sleek Slingbox, but it feels less sturdy. What’s nice about both the Hava is that they possess built-in wireless capabilities. The software (on CD) that accompanies the Hava is what permits you to watch the content of your TV set on your PC. Once the software is installed, you can connect to your Hava device, on your current network or over the Internet. On your network the software will find the device automatically; to connect via the Internet, you submit the name and password of the device. The applications show a large video screen and a remote control for changing the channel and otherwise managing your TV remotely. One major drawback, though: Unlike Slingbox’s SlingPlayer software, the Hava PC Player shows an exact replica of your TV’s remote control. SlingPlayer employs skins that allow you to see, for example, your TiVo remote on the screen. In this familiar interface, you can more easily do things like scroll through and play back your stored recordings and schedule your future recordings. The Hava PC Player come with basic, industrial-looking remotes that provide most of the same functions, but not the familiarity, that the SlingPlayer remote does. Monsoon says that it will be adding skins in a future version of the Hava software. The Hava software has certain features that both of the other applications lack, however. Within the app, you can record TV content directly to your PC’s hard drive; you can schedule recordings and play back previously recorded content from your hard drive, too. And Hava PC Player provides excellent video quality. The Hava Wireless HD is easier to set up and produced consistently better video. [tags]Network TV, Hava Wireless[/tags]

Wireless News on Feb 2007

New Intel Wireless Product Extends Networking Speed and Range New Compatibility Program for Intel Centrino Users with Wireless-N Full news here Linksys Unveils New Products for Home and Offices Introducing Wireless-N, Storage Network products and more Full news here SMC SMCWBR14-N 802.11n (Draft 1.0) Wireless Broadband Router SMC Networks has just released wireless equipment based on the Draft 1.0 specification of 802.11n. Previous releases from other vendors have left something t...