Wireless networking refers to the technology that enables two or more computers to communicate using standard network protocols, but without cabling. Strictly speaking, any technology that does this could be called wireless networking. The current buzzword however generally refers to wireless LANs. This technology, with industry standards such as IEEE 802.11, has produced a number of affordable wireless solutions that are becoming popular with business and schools as well as sophisticated applications where network wiring is impossible, such as in warehousing or point-of-sale handheld equipment.
There are 2 types of wireless networks:
1. Ad-hoc or peer-to-peer network
Both of these networks consist of a number of computers, each equipped with a wireless NIC. Each computer can communicate directly with all other wireless computers, but may not be able to access wired LAN resources without a computer acting as a bridge to the wired LAN using special software (bridging).
2. Wireless network can use an access point or base station
The access point acts like a hub, providing the connection for the wireless computers. It can connect ("bridge") the wireless LAN to a wired LAN, allowing the wireless computer/s to access LAN resources, eg file servers or Internet Connection
There are 2 types of access points
Hardware Access Point
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Dedicated hardware access points (HAP) such as Lucent's WaveLAN, Apple's Airport Base Station or WebGear's AviatorPRO.Hardware access points offer comprehensive support of most wireless features, but check your requirements carefully |
Software Access Point
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Software Access Points which run on a computer equipped with a wireless network interface card as used in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer wireless network. Software routers such as Vicomsoft InterGate suites include features which are not commonly found in hardware solutions, eg Direct PPPoE subbort and extensive configuration flexibility, but may not offer the full range of wireless features defined in the 802.11 standard |
NOTE: IEEE 802.11 is the standard defining all aspects of Radio Frequency Wireless networking.
Range (distance between access point and client computer) varies depending upon the environment. Typical indoor ranges are 150 to 300 feet but shorter if the building structure interferes with radio transmissions. Longer ranges are possible but performance will degrade over distance. Out door ranges are quoted up to 1000 feet, but again this depends on the environment.
Depending upon the manufacturer, some hardware access points have a recommended limit of 10, whilst more expensive ones will support up to 100 wireless connections. Using more computers than recommended will cause performance and reliability to suffer. Software access points may also impose user limitations, but this depends on the software and the host computer's ability to process the required information.
However multiple access points can be connected to a wired LAN or even to a second wireless LAN if the access point supports this. This can be used if a single area is too large to be covered by a single access point. When using multiple access points, each access point wireless area should overlap its neighbours.
Connecting 2 LANS
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Wireless networking offers a cost-effective solution to users with difficult physical installations such as campuses, hospitals or businesses with more than one location within immediate proximity. This type of installation requires two access points. Each access point acts as a bridge or router connecting its own LAN to the wireless connection. This wireless connection allows the two access points to communicate with each other and therefore interconnect the LANs. A Hardware Access Point provides wirelss connectivity to local computer and a software access point which provides Wired Ethernet network 2 computers access to Wired Network 1. NOTE: Not all hardware Access Points have the ability to directly interconnect to another hardware access point.
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Wireless networking offers benefits for users of laptops who move from location to location, but can also be used in schools and businesses which have unsuitable building layouts or walls that cannot be wired for various reasons. In this situation, wireless networking provides a very cost effective alternative whilst providing future flexibility.eg temporary wireless LANs can be easily created for exhibitions, school or business projects without any cabling.
Security
Wireless communications provide a potential security risk as an intruder does not need physical access to the traditional wired network to access data communications. Eavesdropping is possible using specialist equipment.
To protect against any potential security issues, 802.11 wireless communications have a function called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), a form of encryption which provides privacy comparable to that of a traditional wired network.
NOTE: An Internet connection can be shared in a wireless network as it can in a traditional one.
Interestingly this has brought about another emerging technology : Public -Access Wireless LANs
2. How relevant does this writer think it is to networking?
This is becoming a vital part of most networks with many people carrying around laptop computers and bad building structures providing bad, if not impossible wiring solutions for networking.
This can be seen with many IT professionals, teachers and other business people already utilising this technology today.
Wlana.org predicts that the sales of wireless network cards and WLAN (Wireless
Local Area Network) base stations to grow from $1.9 billion in 2001 to $5.2
billion in 2005. This is a technology in demand!
3. Is it truly an "emerging network technology" or upgrading?
This is an example of a true emerging network technology. Traditionally cables connected computers or they connected through the telephone cable and now (within certain limits) no cables are necessary.
Two new WLAN standards are now emerging and from the currently offered 11Mb/s will deliver higher speeds, up to 54Mb/s to WLAN users. These standards are known as 802.11a and 802.11g. See WLANA (Wireless LAN Association) for this information
4.What is the expected lifetime of WiFi?
As most people have mobile telephones, and laptops become more popular WiFi is here to stay, we are getting used to the idea of portable communication.
This writer believes that Wifi or WLAN will only become more popular with time, we have enough cords in our life ! LOL
But seriously this is a technology that has long been coming and has not only practical uses (bad building structure) but aesthetic appeal.
Saying this however, this writer feels that this technology may be superceded eventually by 3G technology in the distant future.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
http://www.vicomsoft.com/knowledge/reference/wireless1.html#13
http://www.wlana.org/pdf/highspeed.pdf
