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Wifi

• What is it?

• How Does it Work

• FAQs

What is it?

WiFi, or wireless fidelity is a fast spreading technology, allowing users wireless connections to networks such as the Internet.  You can find http://www.wifinder.com/ so called "hotspots" at airports, hotels, various McDonalds http://www.mcdonalds.com/home.html restaurants and Starbucks http://www.starbucks.com/Default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1 coffee shops, and many other locations.

You can also setup a WiFi network within your home.  You have Internet access via a Wireless Access Point (WAP) installed at a growing number of locations.

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How it Works

Wireless Internet access, known as WiFi, or wireless fidelity, allows you to get rid of the cables dangling from the back of your PCs by broadcasting Internet connections via radio waves.  Then you just tune in from your computer.  Here is how it works:

• A transmitting antenna, usually linked to a DSL or high-speed land-based Internet connection, uses radio waves to beam signals.

• Another Antenna, which is in the laptop or PC< catches the signal.

• The signal has a range of about 300 feet for most home connections.  The farther the user is from the signal, the slower the connection speed.

WiFi users can choose from three types of adopted standard wireless solutions: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11A, and IEEE 802.11g.

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FAQs

Q:  What is Wifi, WAP and what do I need to connect to it?

A:  Wireless Internet access, known as WiFi, or wireless fidelity, allows you to get rid of the cables dangling from the back of your PCs by broadcasting Internet connections via radio waves.  WiFi is a technology that allows devices such as notebook computers to connect wirelessly to a network, typically the  Internet.

 Basically, it's a radio signal between a transmitter and a receiver access point.  You tune into the radio waves from your computer.  It works within a 300-900 foot radius from an access point.  A wireless access point (WAP) provides the network access to devices like a notebook computers.  The WAP is compliant with 802.11b

 http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci829752,00.html and 802.11g  http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci783003,00.html

standards.  To connect to a WAP, you will need a notebook computer, with a wireless adapter (internal or external).  For notebook computers, this typically means an internal card (often called mini-PCI card) or an external PC card, but it could also be an external adapter connected via USB.

Q:  Are there any physical safety considerations when using wireless cards?

A: Please read the information that accompanies your wireless card.  Some cards recommend that there should be 2" of space between the antenna and your body.

Q:  What are the benefits of wireless technology?

A:  Portability is the primary benefit.  Wireless technology also eliminates connection cabling to the Internet for the laptop (or desktop) user.

Q:  What is the distance of the wireless signal?

A: The simple answer is that depends.  It depends on the equipment you're using, how many people are connected, where you are located and other factors.  Clear line-of-sight is always best and you're going to get the strongest possible signal that way, but the signal also travels through walls and other structures.  There are basically two distances involved.  Within a building, the connection radius is typically limited to approximately 300 feet of the access points.  Outside, with unrestricted line of sight, distance can exceed a radius of 900 feet.

Q:  What can I do while connected to the WAP?

A:  Depending on the device you connect with and what software and functionality that device has, you should have access to all services available on the Internet.  You get a basic Internet connection where you can browse the web, check and send email, do instant messaging etc. 

Q:  How fast is the wireless connection?

A:  wireless networking gives a variable speed realistically between 1 and 6 Mbps.  While the wireless specification call for 11 Mbps of speed, some of this bandwidth is used to carry the wireless protocols within the data.  Additionally, weak or interfered signals will run at a slower speed.  The top nominal speed is 54Mbps (mega bits per second).  However, this is just a theoretical number and the actual speed depends on a number of factors, like how many users are connected, what equipment you have, and where you are located in reference to the WAP.  You will find that the speed should be more than enough for basic tasks such as checking and sending email, instant messaging and browsing the web.

Q:  Are wireless networks as secure as wired ones?

A:  Technically, they are similar in security, although WiFi connections are hack able within the radius of you transmission signal (300-900 feet).  You should be aware that any type of network activity is insecure unless you've taken measures to make it secure.  This is especially true of wireless network connections since it's easier for users to actually get connected to the network (since they don't need to have a physical cable).  If you send unencrypted emails or go to insecure web sites over the WAP, that information can be read by others.

Q:  What are the differences in the standards, 802.11b, 802.11g etc?

A:  Currently, the three established standards for wireless computer networking are 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g .

The most common one is 802.11b which runs at a top speed of 11 Mbps (mega bits per second) and on the same frequency (2.4GHz) as 802.11g.  802.11g has a top speed of 54Mbps so it's some five times faster than 802.11b.  802.11a runs on the 5GHz spectrum of frequencies and although it's more secure than both 802.11b and 802.11g (and as fast as 802.11g), its main drawback is that it's not compatible with the other two standards.  Since 802.11b and 802.11g run on the same frequency, they are typically compatible with each other.

Q: Where can I go to find out more:

A:  Here are a few suggestions:

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