Wireless Networking

 

What’s wireless networking?

A wireless network allows devices to remain linked to the network yet to roam without any cables unattached. Wi-Fi signals are amplified by access points, meaning a computer can be far from a router but still be linked to the network. You connect to that organization’s wireless network when you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot at a cafe or another public location.

The only difference between wireless and wired network is that wired network uses cables to link devices to the Internet or another network, such as laptops or desktop computers. As opposed to a wireless network, a wired network has several drawbacks. The main downside is that a router is tied to your computer. The most popular wired networks use cables attached to an Ethernet port on the network router and the other end to a computer or other system.

How wireless networks work?

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) serves the same function as a wired one to connect a group of computers. Since “wireless” does not require expensive wiring, the primary advantage is that it is typically simpler, quicker, and cheaper to set up.

Wireless networks operate using Radio Frequency (RF) technology, a frequency associated with radio wave propagation within the electromagnetic spectrum. An electromagnetic field is generated when an RF current is supplied to an antenna that can then spread through space.

Types of wireless networks?

•  Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)
• Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks
• Wireless Wide Area Networks 

Wireless networking standards?

• IEEE 802.11b-1999 (802.11b) - This technology provides transmission of up to 11Mbps and is backward compatible.
• IEEE 802.11g-2003(IEEE 802.11g) - This is a popular technology that provides up to 54Mbps and covers a distance of 150 feet.
• IEEE 802.11n-2009(IEEE 802.11n) - This technology aims at improving the throughput of the frequency range between 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It uses several antennae, which in turn increases the data rates.