The D-Link adapters were creatures from Hell, but the Microsoft switch and USB adapter are the absolute pinnacles of simplicity. The quick set up guide gets you from the box to finished in 3 steps. You start by inserting the driver\software CD, which does just about everything for you but fetch you a cup of coffee while you set up your network. It configures all of the windows networking settings for you, explaining everything every step of the way. All you have to do is tell it what you want to call your wireless network, and whether or not you want to enable WEP (wireless “security”). The software takes care of the rest.
After the initial set up, the software asks you to connect the switch to your cable modem, and your computer to the switch. (If you are unfamiliar with how to connect an Ethernet network, the quick setup guide has detailed instructions with pictures showing where everything is supposed to go). After the switch is all hooked up, the software finishes the installation, and you are done. No need to reset the cable modem, or even restart the computer. You can literally go from the box to the internet over your new network in about a minute and a half.
When the installation is complete, a network icon appears in your system tray, and clicking on it shows your computer and your LAN IP address, your workgroup, who else is on your network, and whether or not your internet connection is active. It doesn’t get much easier than this folks.
