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My
Publications -
Tutorials
Connecting
to Wi-Fi Networks Using Windows Vista
By
Eric Geier
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Originally Published by Wi-Fi
Planet on July 10, 2007 -
As mentioned
in Intro
to Wi-Fi Networking Using Windows Vista, there have been many
changes to the networking features in Windows Vista. Now I’ll cover
exactly how to connect to wireless networks and perform other
connection configuration tasks using Vista.
Although the
new networking interfaces in Vista may be better organized and
enhanced for the majority of consumers, most IT professionals and
advanced PC users won’t care for the redesign. As you’ll see,
accessing some networking configuration and connection detail windows
now requires more clicks than before.
Connecting to
a Wireless Network
One of the
most similar networking tasks in Vista compared to XP is the process
of connecting to wireless networks. The only major change is that the
connecting window in Vista doesn’t provide direct access to the
wireless network preferences and advanced settings. To access these
items in Vista, you have to go to the Network and Sharing Center.
Here’s how
to connect to a Wi-Fi network in Vista:
1. Right-click
on the network status icon in the system tray, and select Connect
to a network.
The connection
window pops up:
2. Select the
network you would like to connect to, and click Connect.
You may be
informed that the network is unsecured (not using WEP or WPA), in
response to which you would click Connect Anyway to proceed, or you
may be prompted that the network is secured and that you need to enter
a key to continue.
3. Once the
connection is complete, Vista will let you know that it has
successfully connected to the network, and you can click Close to exit
the connection window.
Creating an
Ad-hoc (Computer-to-Computer) Network
Creating an
ad-hoc network in Windows XP was a bit crude. You would add a network
to the preferred list and check the ad-hoc option, then you would have
to do some tinkering to start getting it broadcasting as ad-hoc.
However, Windows Vista includes a wizard dedicated to creating
peer-to-peer ad-hoc networks.
Here’s how
to access the ad-hoc setup wizard:
1. Right-click
on the network status icon in the system tray, and select Connect
to a network.
The connection
window pops up.
2. Click the Set
up a connection or network link.
The Connect to
a Network window pops up.
3. Choose the Set
up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network option, and
click Next. Then follow the on-screen directions.
Modifying
Your Preferred Wireless Network List
Just like the
majority of the other networking tasks and preferences, to prioritize
your wireless networks and to configure other individual settings
(such as auto connecting), you need to go to the Network and Sharing
Center.
Here’s how
to access the individual settings and preferences of wireless networks
in Vista:
1. Right-click
on the network status icon in the system tray, and select Network
and Sharing Center.
2. In the
Network and Sharing Center, click the Manage wireless networks
link on the integrated task pane to the left.
The Manage
Wireless Networks window pops up:
3. To change
the priority of the wireless networks, use the move up/down arrows,
which are visible after clicking on an entry. You can also
double-click on an entry to configure its connectivity preferences
(such as auto connecting) and security settings.
Checking
Network Connection Details
In Windows XP,
it was very easy to access the details of your network connections.
Just hovering over the status icon in the system tray would give you
the SSID or network name, data rate, signal and connectivity status; a
quick double-click would give you the activity, duration and IP
address information. This is not the case with Vista, however.
Hovering over
the network status icon in Vista only gives you the SSID, signal and
connectivity status; double-clicking only gives you links to access
the Connect to a Network window and the Network and Sharing Center.
Accessing the other information (IP address and data rate) takes a few
more clicks.
Here’s how
to access your network connection details in Vista:
1. Right-click
on the network status icon in the system tray, and select Network
and Sharing Center.
2. In the
Network and Sharing Center, click the View status link next to
the Network Name and SSID info.
The Network
Connection Status window pops up:
3. You now
have access to most of the network connection details; however, for
the IP address information, you have to click the Details…
button.
Stay Tuned for
more on networking using Windows Vista.
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