Monitor your home with a Wi-Fi Webcam

A broadband connection and a wireless router are the basic infrastructure you'll need to set up an IP Webcam. We recommend an 802.11g router for maximum throughput; we used a Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster (WRT54GS) from Linksys. Because it's often easier to install and set up Wi-Fi products from the same vendor, we also selected the Linksys Wireless-G Internet Video Camera (WVC54G). The camera includes an Ethernet cable, an AC adapter, and a setup CD. A built-in microphone, which transmits sound across the Net, is also part of the package. Because the WVC54G functions as a standalone Web server, it can operate without being connected to a PC.

First you need to configure the camera while it's connected to your router via an Ethernet cable. Attach the Ethernet cable to the router, then connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port on the camera. With the Linksys cam, you must connect the camera to the router before powering on; otherwise, the camera may not function. Next, connect the power adapter to the power port on the camera and plug it into an electrical outlet. The Ready LED flashes while the camera is initializing. When the Ready and Ethernet LEDs are solidly lit, the camera is ready for setup.

You can also connect an IP Webcam to a wired network, but the cam will be tethered to the Ethernet cable.