DACS Program To Discuss

Wireless Networking Computers

DANBURY — At the July 6 Danbury Area Computer Society general meeting, Bruce Preston, a DACS officer and moderator of the question and answer session, and Jim Scheef, DACS president, will talk about wireless networking computers.

The meeting will start at 7 pm with the main presentation at 8. It will take place at the Danbury Hospital auditorium.

With the increased availability of mobile devices, wireless is becoming very prevalent. At the meeting, Bruce Preston and Jim Scheef will go through the intricacies of setting up a wireless network or WiFi. More specifically they will demonstrate how to set up a home or small business network, and add wireless capability on an existing network.

They also will talk about the different standards and capabilities. They will identify the different components — router/firewalls, access points, network cards for desktop or notebooks. Their presentation will include how to configure a router so that it can control the broadband connection, and configure the client machines so that they can find the router.

“Wireless is one of the comparatively new Internet capabilities that made the cross over from the domain of the technologists to the consumer environment,” Mr Preston said. “This is evidenced by the fact that you can walk into any Staples, OfficeMax, or Costco and purchase the equipment you need.

“It permits a computer — most often a notebook — to roam within the range of the WiFi signal and maintain a connection with other machines connected to the network. With that connection established, the notebook may make use of shared resources such as a broadband — cable or DSL —  connection to the Internet, printers, or data on other machines.”

Mr Preston also said, “WiFi connections are not secure by default” and a part of the presentation will cover the various privacy considerations and methods for securing connection and data.

For directions or additional information, check DACS web page at www.dacs.org. General meetings are free and open to the public. Feel free to bring a guest.