Home > Articles > Home & Office Computing > Microsoft Windows Vista & Home Server

How Vista Makes Home Networking Better

Mark Edward Soper explains how Windows Vista networking has been improved through enhancements to the Network Setup Wizard, the new Network folder, and resource sharing. He also includes a list of Networking Best and Worst Practices to keep your network in tip top shape.
This chapter is from the book

In this chapter

  • Connecting to a Wireless Network
  • Using the Network and Sharing Center
  • Sharing Folders and Printers
  • Networking Best and Worst Practices

By this time, it’s probably no surprise to read "In Windows Vista, __________ has gone through major changes." Just as you might expect, you can fill in the word "networking" in the blank provided. So, just what is it that makes Windows Vista networking different?

  • Windows Vista includes a unified Network Setup Wizard for any type of network.
  • The new Network folder replaces My Network Places and provides new tools for managing networks.
  • Windows Vista systems can use each other’s shared resources, even if they don’t belong to the same workgroup.
  • The new Network and Sharing Center provides a control center for file sharing, media sharing, network discovery, and network mapping.

With more computers running on networks than ever before, Windows Vista changes how networking works, and mainly for the better.

Connecting to a Wireless Network

Windows XP first made connecting to a wireless network with a broadcast SSID easy. Windows Vista continues the tradition. To connect to a wireless network that uses a broadcast SSID, open the Start menu and select the Network Explorer. Below the Network Explorer menu bar, you see a yellow information bar stating "This computer is not connected to a network. Click to connect." When you click the connection bar, available networks are displayed. Figure 12.1 illustrates three types of network connections: unsecure infrastructure, secure infrastructure, and ad-hoc.

Figure 12.1

Figure 12.1 Types of wireless network connections.

To connect to an unsecure network, select the network connection and click Connect. A security warning is displayed when you attempt to connect to an unsecure wireless network (see Figure 12.2 A). Click Connect Anyway to complete the connection, click Connect to a Different Network to try a different network, or click Cancel to stop the process.

To connect to a secure infrastructure network for the first time, select the network connection and click Connect. Enter the security key or passphrase when prompted (see Figure 12.2 B), and click Connect to make the connection.

The option to insert a USB flash drive to bring in network settings supports Microsoft’s Connect Now technology, first introduced in Windows XP SP2’s Wireless Network Setup Wizard. Connect Now uses a USB flash drive to store network settings for transport between systems and the wireless router.

Figure 12.2

Figure 12.2 Connecting to a wireless network.

Connecting to a "Hidden" Wireless Network

Many businesses and homeowners prefer to configure their wireless networks so that the SSID is not broadcast, creating a "hidden" wireless network that some believe is more difficult to hack. In some cases, an unsecured wireless network that doesn’t broadcast its SSID may be displayed as an Unnamed Network in the Connect to a Network dialog (refer to Figure 12.2 A). To connect to the network, select it, and click Connect. Provide the SSID and click Next. Click Connect Anyway, and choose whether to save the network and automatically connect to it when prompted.

If the network is not displayed, click the Set Up a Connection or Network link shown in Figure 12.1, choose Manually Connect to a Wireless Network from the connection options shown, and click Next.

Enter the network name (SSID), security type, encryption type, and security key/passphrase when prompted (see Figure 12.3). Select the Start This Connection Automatically check box to make a connection to this network whenever it is available. Select the Connect Even If the Network Is Not Broadcasting check box. The connection starts.

Figure 12.3

Figure 12.3 Connecting to a network that does not broadcast its SSID.

Set Network Location

After connecting to a wireless network, you may be prompted to select a network type. Choose from home, work, or public location. Home or work locations are private, whereas a public location is (of course) public.

When you select the private location type, you can see other computers and devices on the network: a feature known as network discovery. For example, you can see other Windows Vista computers, even if they are part of a different workgroup than yours. Also, the Windows Firewall is turned on, and file, media, and printer sharing are disabled.

The public location setting also enables Windows Firewall and disables file, printer, and media sharing. However, it also disables network discovery. If you move from one wireless network to another (for example, from home to office, or from office to a hotel), you will be prompted to select the network location for each new wireless network.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020