Filter
Top Products
72 Setting Up a Home and Office Network
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Determining Your Network Type
NOTE: Most wireless networks are of the infrastructure type. Consult your network
administrator if you are unsure of the type of network you are connecting to.
Wireless networks fall into two categories—infrastructure networks and ad-hoc networks.
An infrastructure network uses routers or access points to connect several computers. An
ad-hoc network does not use routers or access points and consists of computers that
broadcast to one another.
Connecting to a Network in Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP
Your wireless network card requires proper software and drivers in order to connect to a
network. The software is pre-installed in the factory. If the software is removed or
corrupted, follow the instructions listed in the User's Guide for your wireless card. The
User’s Guide is located on your Drivers and Utilities CD (that came with your computer) in
the "User’s Guides-Network User’s Guides" category. The User’s Guide is also available on
the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
1 Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Switch to Classic View.
2 Double-click Network Connections.
3 Click Wireless Network Connection.
The Wireless Network Connection icon is highlighted.
ad-hoc networkinfrastructure network