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Chapter 4. Connecting to the Internet
Configuring the Network Environment Settings for
Wireless LAN Network
(WLAN)
A wireless network (Wireless LAN) environment is a network environment
that enables communication between multiple computers at home or a
small-size office through wireless LAN devices.
When a computer-to-computer network has been established, a comput-
er that is not connected to the Internet can share the Internet by accessing
another computer connected to the Internet.
(See P. '4-17. Sharing Internet Access')
Wireless network connections can be classified into two categories.
1) Access Point
You can connect to an AP to use the network. This is possible only in an environ-
ment equipped with an AP. (See P. 4-8, ‘Connecting to an Access Point (AP)’)
2) Computer–to-computer (ad hoc)
This is also called a peer-to-peer network.
In computer-to-computer wireless networks, you can wirelessly connect 2 or more
computers that have wireless LAN modules. (See P. 4-9, ‘Connecting to
computer-to-computer networks (peer-to-peer or ad hoc)’).
The description in this section refers to the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Network Connection (hereafter referred to as an 802.11ABG card) device.
A wireless LAN card is optional. The model of the wireless LAN card is
determined by the relevant product.
To view the installed wireless LAN card, click Start > Control Panel > Performance
and Maintenance > System > Hardware tab > Device Manager.
The wireless LAN connection settings will be described on the basis of the
Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed computer.
It is recommended using the default settings provided by Windows XP for the
wireless LAN settings for Windows XP installed computers. To setup using the
software supplied by the wireless LAN card manufacturer, refer to p.4-13 ‘Using
a wireless Network with the Wireless LAN Setting Program’.
To use a wireless LAN, press the <Fn> and < > key combination simultane-
ously to enable a wireless LAN. When the wireless LAN is enabled, the Wireless
LAN Operation LED ( ) lights up. (See P. 1-9)
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What is an Access Point (AP)?
An AP is a network device that bridges wired and wireless LANs, and
corresponds to a wireless hub in a wired network. You can connect multiple
wireless LAN installed computers to an AP.
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