How to Change the Priority of Network Connections in Windows

How to Change the Priority of Network Connections in Windows

By   07:31   No comments:

Do you ever plug in your wired network card while your wireless card is still enabled? Ever wonder how Windows chooses which one to use? Here’s how to see the default priority—and how to change it if you want.

Note: there’s almost never any reason to change this, as Windows does a good job of choosing the right connection. Still, if you want windows to work differently with it, this is how you would do it.

How to Change the Network Card Priority

To change the priority, head into Network and Sharing Center and click on the Change adapter settings link on the left-hand side—or you can quickly open the network connections list by typing ncpa.cpl into the Start Menu search box.

From here on there are two ways to change this…

Method 1:

• press the ALT key on the keyboard,
• Then click the “Advanced” menu
• Choose “Advanced Settings”.
• In the window that pops up, use the arrows on the right side to move the Local Area Connection above the wireless connections.
• Click OK.

That's It.

Method 2:

Now that we’re in change adapter settings…

Choose the network card that you want to change the priority for, right-click it, and choose Properties from the menu.

Now select the Internet Protocol Version 4 item in the list, and click the Properties button.

Now click the Advanced button at the bottom of this window…. getting tired of clicking yet?

And now, finally, we’re at the place where you can make the change. Uncheck the box for Automatic Metric, and then type a number into the Interface Metric textbox. You can consult the list that we found in the command prompt earlier to know what metric to assign—you’ll probably want to assign it something higher than 1, since that’s used for the loopback adapter.

You may want to go ahead and change the priority for your other card as well, just to be sure that it is assigned the proper priority.

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How To Set Up a Wireless Router or WiFi Access Point

How To Set Up a Wireless Router or WiFi Access Point

By   19:34   No comments:

A Wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point and a network switch. They are commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a computer network without the need for a cabled connection.

Thus, a Wireless router can function in a wired LAN (local area network), a wireless only LAN (WLAN), or a mixed wired/wireless network.

To make the most of their security planning, enterprises need to focus on threats that pose the greatest risk.

Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics. Also we will see how to Set Up a Wireless Router or WiFi Access Point:

• LAN ports which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch
• A WAN port to connect to a wide area network, typically one with Internet access. External destinations are accessed using this port. If it is not used, many functions of the router will be bypassed.
• A wireless antenna allows connections from other wireless devices (NICs (network interface cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points, and wireless bridges, for example), usually using the Wi-Fi standard.

Some wireless routers also include a DSL or cable modem in addition to their other components.

Wireless router or access point brings convenience because you’re not tethered to a wired connection. Setting up a wireless router or access point depends on the software that comes with the router or access point.

Warning: Wireless networks offer great potential for exploitation for two reasons; they use the airwaves for communication, and wireless-enabled laptops are ubiquitous. Wireless networks are vulnerable in a myriad of ways, some of the most likely problems being rogue access points (APs) and employee use of mobile devices without appropriate security precautions, but malicious hacking attempts and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks are certainly possible as well.

Wireless connections are more complicated to set up than wired connections. You’re basically setting up a radio transmitter that broadcasts to little radios attached to your PCs. You need to worry about signal strength, finding the right signal, and even entering passwords to keep outsiders from listening in.

Wireless transmitters, known as Wireless Access Points (WAPs), come either built into your router or plugged into one of your router’s ports. The setup software is different on every model, but it requires you to set up these three things:

• Network name (SSID): Enter a short, easy-to-remember name here to identify your particular wireless network. Later, when connecting to the wireless network with your computer, you’ll select this same name to avoid accidentally connecting with your neighbor’s wireless network.
• Infrastructure: Choose Infrastructure instead of the alternative, Ad Hoc.
• Security: This option encrypts your data as it flies through the air. Turn it on using the recommended settings.

Some routers include an installation program for changing these settings; other routers contain built-in software that you access with Windows’ own Web browser.

As you enter settings for each of the three things, write them on a piece of paper. You need to enter these same three settings when setting up your PC’s wireless connection.

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Wireless Network Connection Not Having A Valid IP

Wireless Network Connection Not Having A Valid IP

By   12:25   No comments:

The following article will help you resolve when you get a error message like this, Wireless Network Connection doesn't have Valid IP Configuration.

If you have problem connecting your Windows 7 to wireless modem or other wireless devices. However the same wireless device or modem can be used to other wireless enabled devices.

This type of problem can occur when Bonjor services are installed and running in your Windows. And to delete this, please follow the below steps:

• Click On Start
• Go To  Control Panel
• Make sure the control panel icons are visible as Large Icons
• Go To Windows Firewall
• Click On Allow a program or feature
• Click On Allow another program
• Right click on Bonjour Services and delete it.
• Close and reboot .

If the problem still has not been fixed, then follow the below steps:

• Check if there is any upgraded firmware available on wireless modem.
• Disable Firewall
• Run the Network troubleshooter to see if it can help diagnose and solve your problem.

Open the Network troubleshooter by right-clicking the network icon in the notification area, and then clicking Troubleshoot problems.

“Using the Network troubleshooter in Windows 7”
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-the-Network-troubleshooter-in-Windows-7
Also check for the status of Network Discovery = ON.
Refer this link
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-network-discovery

If you still face problem, then there should be something wrong with your device or the device diver, please check your device manufacture support for more information.

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Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

By   22:13   No comments:

if you want to free your keyboard from both wires and batteries, logitech has a product
for you: its wireless solar keyboard K750 ($80). this thin (one-third of an inch thick) keyboard features 2.4GHz wireless and gets power from both outdoor and indoor light—a capability that lets you do your computing under the sun.

The solar-powered, wireless keyboard that makes battery hassles a thing of the past.

Powered by light: Good-bye, battery hassles. Solar power keeps your keyboard charged and ready—even indoors.

Very thin: Your desk is about to get sleeker thanks to this streamlined keyboard.

Feels good: It almost feels like typing on your laptop, but more comfortable.

Official Video Link: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/k750-keyboard

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Leach The Internet Connection From Wireless Router

Leach The Internet Connection From Wireless Router

By   13:48   No comments:

How to leach the Internet connection from PC using D-Link router:  I live in the basement suite of a house, and my PC connects just fine to the wireless internet upstairs, BUT my XBOX and PS3 don't have a strong enough range to reach. Sometimes it does, but 90% of the time it doesnt. My PC connects to the upstairs router using a D-Link Wireless USB card I got. Nothing fancy but it works.

Now, is there a way that I can use that connection, and share it so that I can plug my XBOX and PS3 into my own own D-Link router so they can leach the connection my PC is using from upstairs?

You best anwer is to use Homeplugs: For example, if your wireless speed is less than 54 meg, Home plugs can give you over 100 megs and they are a solid connection not like wireless which may drop when someone picks up a phone. You could have the router upstairs with a homeplug and a homeplug downstairs with a switch and run all three at once.

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Checking Wireless Security With Aircrack-Ng

Checking Wireless Security With Aircrack-Ng

By   10:38   No comments:

Checking Wireless Security with aircrack-ng: Wireless networking can be a very big security risk for your organization for at least two reasons:

• A hacker could get access to your network if they can get within range of a wireless access point that is not protected by encryption (an "open" network) or if the encryption key can easily be guessed
• A hacker could set up a socalled "rogue" open access point, and then trick users into connecting to that rather than the company's real wireless access point. Once connected the hacker can usually gain access to the user's computer and any data sent to the rogue access point.

Wireless Encryption

To connect to your wireless network, a hacker first needs to authenticate himself by providing an encryption key (unless it is an "open" access, which is an open invitation to hackers). Most organizations use a system called WPA Enterprise, which is generally very secure, but smaller organizations may use alternative systems called WPA, WPA2, or WEP.

WEP is a very insecure system, and a hacker can often get access to a network that uses WEP encryption in less than two minutes. (For more information about this, see

http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netsecur/article.php/3670961).

WPA and WPA2, on the other hand, are both very secure -- unless the WPA key needed to access the wireless network is short enough to be brute-forced.

To maintain security it is important to ensure some form of WPA with long, random passwords protects your wireless networks. There is also a danger that users within your organization decide to connect their own access points to the network for their own purposes – perhaps so that they can use a Wi-Fi equipped mobile device – or that a hacker

sets up an open access point. 

These unauthorized or rogue access points are security risks, so it is important to scan your workplace regularly to detect them as quickly as possible.

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Connecting Windows To WEP Enabled Wireless Router

Connecting Windows To WEP Enabled Wireless Router

By   18:38   No comments:

Windows cannot connect to WEP: Sometimes when you upgraded to Windows 7 from earlier version of Windows, you may mess up connecting to the internet with your Wireless Router using WEP encryption. And you will receive an error message that says windows cannot connect…

Actually, if you have certain N wireless NICs, they will not connect using WEP as support is not in the drivers. There are some Intel NICs for example.

Solution:

If you have connection problem between your windows 7 PC and Wireless Router, Just try the idea of taking the security off to see if you can connect, but there have never been an incompatible router. Regardless of brand or type the only thing that has to be compatible is the wireless signal ( and that is pretty easy as long as its not A or B).

1. Access the router by using a wired connection.
2. Go to the administration part / Wireless
3. Under administration there was a choice for "Authentication and Encryption"
4. Click on "Authentication and Encryption"
5. It will give you a choice to disable security under that.
6. Disable security and from that you will be able to connect to your router wirelessly.
7. After connected wirelessly, access the rourter and re enabled security.
8. Reboot the computer (pull out the wired connection) and it will always connect to the wireless WEP connection with no problem.

Warning! Not everyone is personally aware of the WEP risks. And not everyone who visits internet through a wireless router is an expert on wireless networking. But to tell you the fact, WEP is NOT safe. WEP was made optional in the final 802.11n specification. And some users do not know how unsafe WEP is. Most people would like the choice of securing their networks properly. And if you are looking for a secured connection, You need to change to at least WPA. Even if that means buying new hardware.

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10 Ways You Can Improving Your Wireless Network

10 Ways You Can Improving Your Wireless Network

By   19:24   5 comments:

If Windows ever notifies you about a weak signal, it probably means your connection isn't as fast or as reliable as it could be. Worse, you might lose your connection entirely in some parts of your home. If you're looking to improve the signal for your wireless network, try some of these tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance.

Author: Tony Northrup

Tony Northrup is a writer, Internet engineer, and digital photography enthusiast. Tony has a decade of experience making networks and servers connected to the Internet run smoothly. He has authored and co-authored eight books about using Windows and has written dozens of articles about Internet technologies. When he's not on his deck writing, he plays with home-automation technologies and takes pictures for display in a Web photo album. He lives in the Boston area with his wife Erica and cat Sammy. You can learn more about Tony by visiting his Web site at http://www.northrup.org.

These are the possible 10 ways by which you can improving your wireless network...

1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location

When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.

Figure: Bad router and good router comparison.

2. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets)

Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3. Replace your router's antenna

The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

FIgure: Standard antenna and hi-gain antenna examples

4. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter

Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.

Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.

Figure: Wireless router and wireless repeater

5. Add a wireless repeater

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

Figure: Wireless channels

6. Change your wireless channel

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

7. Reduce wireless interference

If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.

8. Update your firmware or your network adapter driver

Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.

Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the driver updates, do the following:

Windows Vista And Windows 7

• Click Start menu, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
• In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
• Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter.

Windows XP

• Visit Microsoft Update, click Custom, and then wait while Windows XP looks for the latest updates for your computer.
• Install any updates relating to your wireless adapter.

9. Pick equipment from a single vendor

While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.

10. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g

802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.

Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.

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