How do I setup a wireless home network? I have wireless internet already.?

A friend wants me to help her. She has a comp and a laptop that she want to connect. I think the laptop comes with a build-in wireless 802.11bg. When I check her laptop to see want I need to setup, it said to have wireless network adaptor, one for each computer on my network, and a wireless router. What specifically do I need and how many do I need in order to get internet connection onto the wireless home network that I'll setup? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. all pc requirement wireless adaptor... then just give an IP each computer... just like that...
2. You need a wireless router to connect your internet "modem" to your wireless network. Computer stores and consumer electronics stores have what you need. Here's an example of what you need from the bestbuy web site: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0503002&type=category A couple things you need to know: 1) Set up your SSID (network identifier) with a network name that doesn't identify your house or occupant. Something like Murphy123 is sufficiently random. This name is publicly available (unless you supress the broadcast but that's another can of worms). 2) Set up WPA not WEP! WEP is a security protocol that's easily broken. WPA or WPA-2 is much more secure. WPA will need to be set up on both the router that you buy and any network card that connects to the wireless network - its the security to get on the wireless network. When you set up WPA, make sure everything agrees - passwords, encryption protocol (TKIP or AES), and that you're using pre-shared keys. Pick a nice random password and write it down for your preshared key. 3) set up your wireless connection on all your devices before you set up WPA. Troubleshooting wireless networks can be a hassle. WPA is one more thing that can go wrong so make sure everything else is working before you implement encryption. 4) change your username and password on your wireless router during the install. The default username and passwords are common knowledge in the network community and you don't want people reprogramming your router so that they can have access to your network. Update: You need one wireless router to create your wireless internet connection. Each computer or device (printers, scanners, etc...) that need to connect to the wireless network need to have a built in wireless adapter or an external wireless network adapter. this is usually noted like 802.11a/b/g or some such nonsense. Soooo... if you have 3 laptops and you want to connect them wirelessly to the internet, you'll need: 1x Cable modem or DSL modem from the telco 1x Wireless router (connect WAN port to Cable modem) 3x wi-fi adapters or wi-fi ready laptops. Good luck!
3. How many do I need in order to get internet connection onto the wireless home network that I'll setup? Thanks!