Syllabus 

Considerations for selecting hardware for a personal wireless network including;

• hardware compatibility
• usability
• internet service providers (ISPs)  11 GEN

Background

For personal use in the home you need to have a network adapter, a router and an access point. Will these items work on your computer?

• Will there be hardware compatibility issues? (One thing won't work with another thing)
• Will it be usable?
• What is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and which one do you use?
• Do you need to share the internet to more than one device in your home?

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

• an internet service provider is a company who you pay to provide internet to your house
• they need you to have a working phone line to your house, as well as a computing device to connect to
• alternatively, you can use a wireless router which connects to your local wireless towers
• they will give you a router (with a built in modem)
• they will set it up for you, for a cost
• or you can set it up, with telephone help from them
• Which one? Ask your friends, research on the web. There are plenty to choose from.
• Questions for an ISP
  • What type of internet packages do you offer?
  • Is optic fibre available in my area?
  • Is broadband available in my area?
  • Is dial up available in my area?
  • Do I need to pay line rental?
  • What is the total cost?
  • What usage and speed do I need?

Hardware Compatibility

• Sometimes when you buy something, it won't work because it doesn't match the system you want it to go with.
• eg You might buy a printer, but after trying to connect it, realise that it won't work with your system.
• A common reason may be the drivers (software to make the hardware work) aren't the right ones.
• Is your network adapter compatible? If you bought it with the machine, it should work.
• Is your router compatible? It should be. These days ISPs will supply a router as part of a 'deal'. If it isn't, then the ISP support line will give you help to setup the correct drivers to make it work.
• Can I use an old router that a mate gave me? Yes you can try, BUT...
  • You won't get support from your ISP
  • You may not be able to get the drivers to make it work

Will it be usable?

• Yes it can be usable, but only if you make it compatible by getting the correct software (driver) to make it work.
• It will work, with the correct software (drivers) matching the hardware.
• Note: there may also be username and password issues but that is not hardware related.

 For You To Do

1. What is needed to make an old router work with your current computer?
2. What is also needed to make that router work with an ISP?

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