| Introduction
Wireless networking in its broadest definition is a way to connect
two or more devices (such as computers, cell phones, printers, etc)
to share data without the use of cables.
- Mbps - Megabits (Million Bits) per second. A measurement of data transfer rate. How fast the data can move in one second. For example, 12 Mbps would be a transfer rate of 12 million bits
in each second.
Usefulness
One of the obvious advantages of a wireless network is that it's
wireless - you don't need any cables to connect your computer to
the network. This can be very beneficial if you need to be mobile,
perhaps using your laptop in different areas based on need. There
is also no need for more networking equipment such as hubs or cables,
and no need to install a new network infrastructure. It is also
easier to add a new user to a wireless network because you don't
have to lay new cable, connect them to the network, and so forth.
802.11b
Also known as "WiFi", this is the most widely used wireless
networking technology used for computers today. It is capable of
transmitting data at a rate of 10 Mbps and has a range of roughly
150 feet. It consists of two main components: the access point (sometimes referred to as a base station) and the network card which is placed in your computer. Generally you can purchase a card for around $100 and the access point for $200.
802.11g
Similar to 802.11b, this technology uses the same basic components
such as the access point and card but specifically designed for
this protocol. 802.11g has a much faster transmission rate than
WiFi, transmitting at 54 Mbps. It also operates on a different frequency
and thus is less prone to interference from microwaves and wireless
telephones, which can lead to dropped connections. All this comes
with a price though - it is a little more expensive (both the access
points and the cards cost roughly $50 more than 802.11b) and has
a range of only 50 feet.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is used mainly for peripherals such as PDAs, cellular
phones, printers, keyboards, and so on. Bluetooth has a range of
only 30 feet and a data transmission rate of 1 Mbps making it just
fine for synchronizing your Palm PDA with your computer but unsuitable
for sending large files. Bluetooth cards and adapters currently
cost about $50, but should drop in price once Bluetooth gains acceptance.
Things to Consider
There are a few things to consider when determining if a wireless
network is good for your organization or not:
- Security - By its very nature (being wireless) a WiFi
network may be a bit less secure than a hard wired network. People
could "snoop" onto your network and possibly intercept
data.
- Placement - 802.11b operates on the same frequency of many cordless phones and thus could encounter interference when the phone is in use. Do not place your equipment near these phones
or near microwave ovens. Also try to keep the clearest possible path between the access point and the computer with as few obstructions
as possible.
- Interoperability - Some devices do not work with others.
For example, Apple's Airport base station is specifically designed
to work with Macintosh computers and may not work with your PC.
An access point designed for the 802.11b protocol will not work
with 802.11a cards but are interoperable with 802.11g cards.
Resources
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