Wireless networks have large advantages over conventional Ethernet networks: users have tremendous flexibility and freedom, and you don't have to run Ethernet cable throughout your office.

Unfortunately, over the past few years wireless networks have had their downside: the speed couldn't compete with a hard-wired network, and you'd have to put up with occasional "dead spots" that your network just couldn't reach.

But now, there's good news A new technologically advanced wireless standard has been developed. With Wireless-N, the drawbacks of wireless have been virtually eliminated. So if you've waited to go wireless, now may be a great time for you to take the plunge. 

How Wireless-N Works

Wireless-N makes use of a technology called MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) to transmit multiple streams of data over multiple channels. This creates a network with greater capacity and coverage area than the old Wireless-G networks.

These technological improvements allow for speeds of up to 12 times that of the old Wireless-G standard, even slightly faster than wired Ethernet. Imagine. No clumsy cables and an actual increase in speed!

The improved network gives you 4 times more coverage area than Wireless-G. Most (if not all) dead spots will be eliminated, so you can stay connected to the network from almost any location in your office. In addition, the network is very stable, so you won't have to deal with a lot of down-time or interruptions.

The Benefits of Wireless-N For Nonprofits

First and foremost, Wireless-N gives you the greatest benefit of wireless networking: you avoid the cost and inconvenience of running Ethernet cable throughout your office. You also gain a significant boost in productivity and flexibility, as your employees can share information via laptops or desktops much more quickly and easily than in the past.

Because Wireless-N is so fast, you can use applications that previously might have been problematic on a wireless network. This includes file-sharing of large files on the network and video teleconferencing. In addition, you can give all your employees Internet access without worrying about causing slow-downs on the wireless network.

Setting Up Your Wireless-N Network

First of all, for a desktop or laptop computer to access your network wirelessly, those systems will need wireless network cards installed. These can be installed via internal cards that are hard-wired into your computer, an external PC network card that is plugged in to your laptop's PC card slot, or a USB Wireless Adapter that gets plugged into the USB port on your desktop. These products are available from major retailers. Simply follow the installation directions to ensure they're working properly.

If you have an existing hard-wired network, you can install a Wireless Access Point (WAP). This device allows employees to access that network wirelessly. A typical WAP will accommodate about 15 users.

If you don't have an existing network, you can create a network by installing a router. A router includes a Wireless Access Point, a switch to hardwire devices together, and the router, which connects your network to your Internet connection. The router can also serve as a basic server for your network. The router is easy to install. You simply use an Ethernet cable to plug the Router into your broadband modem.

To maximize your coverage area, you should install your Wireless Access Point or Router in a central location, as high as possible, away from sources of interference such as computers, cordless phones or small appliances.

Configuring Workstations On The Network

The network is only as valuable as the resources it contains. You can decide which files and folders on each computer can be available on the network. To do this, you want to enable file sharing on each workstation.

In Windows XP, this is easily accomplished by running the Network Setup Wizard. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and click Network Setup Wizard. Then simply follow the instructions on screen.

You can also allow a printer or scanner to be shared on the network. Simply click Start, Control Panel and then Printers and Faxes. Select the printer you want to share and on the File menu, click Sharing, or click Properties and then click the Sharing tab to choose whether you wish that printer to be available to the network.

Keep Everything Secure

You want to make sure your wireless network is secure. The first step is to make sure you have a firewall in place between the Internet and your network. This is best accomplished through your Router. Second, make sure you've enabled Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and assign passwords to make sure only authorized people are accessing your network.

If you follow these steps, your wireless-N network will be secure and effective, giving your employees a nice boost in productivity and freedom