The Network Security. Org

Set up a secure wireless network using Windows Connect Now

When I read posts in the Windows XP Wireless networking newsgroup, I realize that configuring wireless routers, computers, and entertainment devices can be painful for new users. I also have friends who would love to wirelessly stream music to an entertainment center in their living room or send pictures over a wireless network to their family room TV. But complex configuration steps discourage them from trying.

Now I have great news for anyone who has been waiting for easier wireless networking. Thanks to new technology available in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), you can set up a secure wireless network without worrying about complicated network configuration issues. Networking and consumer electronics devices are now available that include the Microsoft Windows Connect Now (WCN) technology. WCN lets you transport network settings from a Windows-based PC to networked devices in your home using a USB flash drive.

In this column, I demonstrate how to build a complete and secure wireless network from scratch. You'll need a computer running Windows XP SP2, a USB flash drive, and devices that support Windows Connect Now.

Components of my Windows Connect Now network

In my new network, I'll configure devices that support Windows Connect Now from settings I specified on a Windows XP-based computer. D-Link Systems is releasing at least three networking and consumer devices that support Windows Connect Now.

Note: All versions of Windows XP including Home, Professional, Tablet and Media Center Edition will let you configure settings that work with WCN. A USB Flash drive can be used to configure wireless settings on all versions of Windows XP. Wireless settings on computers running earlier versions of Windows must be configured manually.

To build my new network I used the following:

• A Windows XP SP2-based wireless laptop.


• A USB flash drive.


• An 802.11g wireless broadband router (D-Link DI-624S) that supports Windows Connect Now.


• A wireless home network storage adapter (D-Link DNS-G120) that supports Windows Connect Now.


• A wireless streaming media player (D-Link DSM-320RD Media Lounge) that supports Windows Connect Now.


• A Windows XP Professional-based desktop computer used to configure the network settings and used as the streaming media host for the DSM-320RD (hard wired Ethernet).

Set up a secure wireless network using Windows Connect Now

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