Wifi Networking with Your Roommates

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Wifi Networking with Your Roommates

Jordan Gaither · Oct 22, 2009

If you and your roommates want to have wifi networking, there are some very specific challenges to overcome. This article will give you the basic knowledge to tie yourself and your roommates into a wireless network while avoiding bandwidth issues, legal problems and lack of hardware quality.

Sign up for a Fast Internet Service

The most important feature of a multi-computer network is speed. When more than one or two people are on a wireless network it tends to slow down dramatically. If those people are doing bandwidth-intensive things like streaming video or gaming, the slowdown becomes even more pronounced.

The first thing you can do to ease the congestion is to sign up for the fastest possible Internet service that you can afford. The more bandwidth you have in your wireless network, the less lag you and your roommates are likely to experience.

Get Good Wireless Equipment

While a router and a modem are standard in any wireless installation, you can upgrade your system by purchasing a faster modem or a wireless router with higher signal strength. Talk to a professional in the field and ask them to name several modems, routers and wireless cards (if applicable) that would be the best for your system. From there you can talk with your roommates about which of these products are most cost-effective.

Remember, hardware can always be updated, even little-by-little, and can make a big difference in the quality of your wireless experience.

Avoid Illegal Downloading or File Sharing Programs

Although programs like Ares and Kazaa have become quite popular in the last few years, internet providers have finally cottoned on to the underground sharing of music and video files. If your network detects illegal file sharing going on, it will choke off the bandwidth until the unlawful activity ceases.

Also, the person whose name the wireless internet contract is under will be in very bad trouble should one of their roommates do something illegal over the wireless signal. Make sure your roommates understand that everyone is paying for the service equally, so everyone has an equal share in any trouble one of them causes.

Encrypt Your Network

One of the biggest traps you’ll have to avoid is allowing others to access your network over the wireless signal. While most routers come with built-in encryption, it may not be enough to stop determined, skilled hackers. A good idea is to find software designed to weed out unauthorized wireless users, allowing only the IP addresses of you and your roommates.

If possible, have a professional look at your wireless network for possible access points for signal stealers, and have them recommend a good program to avoid problems.

Turn It Off When You’re Not Using It

Even if you aren’t using your computer, the wireless card is still connected to the signal and using up bandwidth. By shutting down the computer when not in use (or just disabling the wireless card, if possible), you open up a little more bandwidth for everyone else.

Your best bet is to have a professional look your system over and give you their expert opinion on hardware, bandwidth and security issues.

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Jordan Gaither: I’m a Communications major by trade, an artist by choice, a welder by day and a dancer by night (Okay, I made that last part up). Having lived in a succession of cramped, oddly-shaped apartments, I have a wealth of personal experience in apartment living, as well as arranging and decorating to maximize effect and livable space.

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