User's Guide

Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
Determining Your Network Type
Connecting to a Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP
Finalizing Your Network Connection (Security Settings)
Before you can connect to a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), you must have specific information about
your network. Be sure to get the name of your wireless network along with any special security settings from
your network administrator. The settings are unique to your network and cannot be provided by Dell.
Determining Your Network Type
Wireless networks fall into two categories—infrastructure networks and ad-hoc networks. An infrastructure
network uses routers or access points to connect several computers. An ad-hoc network does not use routers
or access points and consists of computers that broadcast to one another.
Connecting to a Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP
NOTE: These networking instructions do not apply to Bluetooth™ or cellular products.
NOTE: Most wireless networks are of the infrastructure type. Consult your network administrator if you
are unsure of the type of network you are connecting to.
1 infrastructure network
2 Ad-Hoc network
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