We have extensive experience in setting up home networks both for file and printer sharing and for Internet connection sharing. This can be done with or without wires.

The most common solution is to use a wireless router connected to your ADSL or cable link to the Internet. Other computers can be connected to the router either via a wireless adapter card or by ethernet wiring. Laptops are ideal wireless clients since you then use them anywhere in the building or even in the garden.

There are two current wireless standards in common use, known as 801.11b and 801.11g. They are compatible with one another though 11b networks are limited to 11Mbps. 11g will run up to 54Mbps. Typical range is quoted as 150ft outdoors or (more practically up to 90ft or so indoors. In practice it depends how many walls and ceilings you have between your wireless router or access point and the individual computers.

WiFi equipment operates on the same frequencies as cordless phones and some other radio-controlled equipment and has been known to suffer interference from microwaves.