Setting up a wireless network

Why set up a wireless network?

If you want to share your files or folders with other PC's or laptops in you home or office then you will need to set up and enable networking on each PC. You may want to share other peripherals such as printers or scanners so that everybody on the network can use these devices.


Enabling networking for file sharing

Note: before enabling your network, it is essential that the wireless router is secure to prevent unauthorized access to your files and folders.
The following is an example of setting up Windows XP Service Pack 2 for file sharing. Other operating systems will be similar.
The assumption is made that two or more computers are to be networked so they can share files and that all computers have the ability to connect to the internet from the wireless router (for setting up a wireless network it is not necessary for all computers to be able to access the internet - but they must all be able to communicate and connect to the wireless router).

  1. In Windows, click Start --> Control Panel --> Network Setup Wizard (if necessary, switch to Classic View).
  2. Click --> Next --> you may get the following:

    Check the box and click Next.
  3. For Connection Method, select the 2nd option and click Next.
  4. You can give your computer a description if you wish. You can also change the computer name so it will appear differently to other computers on your network. Click Next.
  5. It is recommended that you change the Workgroup name to something other than the default. This is an extra security precaution. Make a note of the Workgroup and click Next.
  6. Select the 1st option to turn on File and Printer Sharing. Click Next.
  7. You will see a summary of the network settings. Click next to apply them.
  8. Finally select the last option to finish the wizard and click Next.
  9. You will need to re-boot your computer for the settings to take effect.
  10. After re-booting click Start --> My Network Places and after a small delay the local shared folder (SharedDocs) will be visible.
  11. As File and Printer Sharing has been switched on, your PC may be accessible from outside of your network if your wireless router is connected to the internet. We wil now only allow local PC's to view files on your PC.
    Click Start --> Control Panel --> Windows Firewall (if necessary, switch to Classic View). Click on the Exceptions tab. Double click on File and Printer Sharing. Click on Change Scope and select the "My network (subnet) only" option. Click Ok --> Ok --> Ok.

  12. Now logon to the next PC that is to be networked. Repeat steps 1 through to 11. Again for additional PC's follow steps 1 through to 11.
  13. Once all PC's have been added to the workgroup,  go to any PC and click Start --> My Network Places. All PC's with shared folders should be visible.
  14. You can share a different folder if you wish. Open Windows Explorer. Locate the folder you wish to share. Right click on this folder and choose Sharing and Security. Check the box "Share this folder on the network". Go back to Network Places and refresh. The new share will be visible for all PC's on your network.
Note: if your wireless router is connected to the internet all the time then it is advised to switch off File and Printer Sharing when it is not required. Only switch it on when you want to transfer files between PC's. There is an added security risk with File and Printer Sharing switched on.
To switch it off:
Click Start --> Control Panel --> Windows Firewall (if necessary, switch to Classic View). Click on the Exceptions tab. Uncheck File and Printer Sharing. Click Ok. To enable it is the reverse.