Data Communications: Wi-Fi Wireless Technology

Wireless LANs have gained popularity in areas such as the health-care, retail, manufacturing, warehousing and academia markets (Kurose, 2003). Some widely known wireless technology in use in devices includes, cameras, automobiles, security systems, and kitchen appliances. Wireless LANs use electro magnetic airwaves (radio or infrared) to transmit information from one point to another without relying on any physical connection (Dean, 2000). Radio waves often are referred to as radio carriers because they simply perform the function to delivering energy to a remote receiver. Networking firms have a range of technologies to choose from when constructing wireless LANs.

The hardware based access point is a separate component connected to a wired Ethernet network and or server via an interface card. Software based access points can be a computer operating with software installed and is connected to a wired Ethernet network with an interface card. The benefits of software access points are there are fewer components, easier to set up, more cost effective, and have more built in features. Many manufacturers of wireless equipment can function with each other using IEEE 802.11 standards. There are two different methods for wireless communication, Frequency Hopping (FH) and Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS or DS).

Wi-Fi is a technology that connects your computer to an internet access point using radio signals. Also this technology is very similar to smartphones and TVs as they all use radio waves. Wi-Fi is a very important part of technology today as it allows people to connect with each other and to access information that was probably difficult to obtain before Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is just accessing the internet like you are directly connected with an Ethernet cable however with Wi-Fi you can access the internet wirelessly as long as you are in the routers radius. Wi-Fi is a very important part of peoples live and there are many companies that make a lot of money form just selling their Wi-Fi packages such as Virgin Media and BT.

The IT, or Information Technology has become a standard and very critical part of today’s society. Wireless technology came from the basic just cellular usage to sensors in the medical field. Wires are now a thing of the past in today’s world with forever revitalizing technology. Wi-Fi (Wireless Network) or 802.11 networking is a phenomenal way of providing Internet wirelessly at a low cost. Using radio waves, a wireless network connects a PC, mobile phone or just about anything that connects to the internet wirelessly by a router.

This enhances usability and in some sense, creativity. Wireless internet isn’t really that hard to setup. You need an access point, a server, and a laptop. After that, it’s all a matter of configurations and you’re in. The only real complaint that we heard about Wi-Fi is that there are security issues.

Paired devices can share voice, data, music, photos, videos, and other information wirelessly (Bluetooth Technology 101: Fast Facts). It is a combination of both hardware inside a device and software used to create the connections. WiFi or Wireless LANs define a short-range wireless network typically used in an office or home setting that allows several users to access the network resources. IEEE 802.11 sets the standard for wireless LAN equipment and speeds and products under this standard are marketed as the WiFi brand (Certification Partners, 2012). When speeds are mentioned, it is typically in reference to the top speeds available but generally, lower speeds are the expectation.

LAN is built in with inexpensive hardware such as Ethernet cables, network adapters and hubs. Special operating system is also be used to configure LAN. Microsoft Windows provide software package called Internet Connection Sharing(ICS) that support controlled access to LAN resources. IP “class A” LAN can accommodate more than 16 million devices organized into subnets. LAN are distinguished from others type of networks by its transmission media and topology.

Once a connection is established between the user and the network, the user will be prompted with a login screen and password if it is a fee-based type network. Though there’re also free-based network connections as well in some areas. Wi-Fi networking around the world is creating hot spots in cities where anyone with a laptop can wirelessly plug into the internet.

Wireless Networking Basics According to (Vacca, JR 2006) The term wireless networking means the technology that facilitates two or more computers to communicate using standard network protocols, but without network cabling. It was not a long time ago that computers were a luxury rather than a necessity. Having compu... ... middle of paper ... ...network server are kept by KDC. 4.5 PEAP, LEAP and EAP PEAP is developed by RSA security, Cisco and Microsoft. PEAP allow safe data transfer, transport of encryption keys and passwords without involving certificate from server.

Wired network and wireless protect both has security, But in general wireless network is less secure than wired networks. For proper security AP (access point) and its antenna should be right position. Also add a wireless access point or use a wireless router we can connect to network wirelessly. AS we using more and more of devices (smart phones, tablet and computers) rely on wireless networking, we have to improve our network security too. Wired ones are practically safer.