Generally, Wireless networks can sometimes be very complicated to set up, particularly if you're dealing with encryption and products from different vendors. Any number of variables can keep your workstations from talking to each other. Let's go over some of more common ones.

For starters, verify that your router and your workstation are using the same SSID descriptions. SSID acts as a password when a mobile device tries to connect to the wireless network. The SSID also differentiates one WLAN from another, so all access points and all devices attempting to connect to a specific WLAN must use the same SSID. A workstation will not be permitted to connect to the network unless it can provide this unique identifier. This is similar to the function of your network's Workgroup or Domain name.

When you're experiencing conductivity problems, it is always best to keep things simple. So next you are going to do is that, please disable any WEP encryption you might have configured.

Successful implementation of encryption also includes the use of a shared key. A HEX key is the most common, but other formats are also used. This key identifies the workstation to the router as a trusted member of this network. Different manufacturers can implement this key technology in ways that might prevent them from working correctly with another vendor's products. So pay attention to detail is going to be the key to a successful installation.

Next make sure the router and the NIC are configured to use the same communications channel. There are normally 11 of them, and the default channel can also vary from vendor to vendor. You might also want to confirm that the router has DHCP services enabled and an address pool configured. If not, the NIC won't be able to pick up an IP address. I have run across a few access points that offer DHCP services but do not assign all of the needed IP information to the NIC. As a result, I was able to connect to the network, but could not browse the web. The point is, don't assume anything. Verify for yourself that all of the required settings are being received by the workstation.

Finally, you might want to keep the system you're trying to configure in the same room as the router, at least during the initial configuration, in order to minimize potential interference from concrete walls or steel beams.

Check the following:

•  Your PC is set to Infrastructure Mode.
    (Access Points are always in Infrastructure Mode.)

•  The SSID on your PC and the Wireless Access Point are the same. Remember that the
     SSID is case-sensitive. So, for example ¡§Workgroup¡¨ does NOT match ¡§workgroup¡¨.

•  Both your PC and the Wireless Access Point must have the same setting for WEP. The
     default setting for the Wireless Router is disabled, so your wireless station should also
     have WEP disabled.

•  If WEP is enabled on the Wireless Router, your PC must have WEP enabled, and
    the key must match.

•  If the Wireless Router's Wireless screen is set to Allow LAN access to selected
    Wireless Stations only, then each of your Wireless stations must have been selected,
    or access will be blocked.

•  To see if radio interference is causing a problem, see if connection is possible when
    close to the Wireless Access Point. Remember that the connection range can be
    as little as 100 feet in poor environments.

The Wireless Router processes the data passing through it, so it is not transparent. Use the Special Application feature to allow the use of Internet applications which do not function correctly. If this does solve the problem, you can use the DMZ function. This should work with almost every application, but:

•  It is a security risk, since the firewall is disabled.
•  Only one (1) PC can use this feature.