Wireless Connection

Physical Description / Types When looking at Wi-Fi you are unable to see the frequencies that come off the router. A router looks like a box with with one or more antennas sticking out. On the front of the router are flashing lights that indicate power and connection status. There are different types of routers. For the case of wireless you will need a wireless router.

Common / Best Uses Connect laptop users who travel from location to location. Link portable or temporary workstations. Remotely connect mobile users or networks. Mobile networks that connect via satellite. Span a distance beyond the capabilities of typical cabling. Provide a backup communications link in case of normal network failure.

Advantages Wi-Fi uses unlicensed radio spectrum and does not require regulatory approval for individual deployers. Allows Local Area Networks (LANs) to be setup with cabling. Can reduce associated costs of network connection and expansions. Places where cables cannot be run, such as outdoor areas and historical buildings can use wireless LANs. Wi-Fi products are extensively available in the market. There are different brands of access points and users network interfaces are able to inter- operate at a very basic service level. Prices are considerably lower as competition amongst vendors increases. Wi-Fi networks can support roaming. This allows mobile users with laptop computer to be able to move from one access point to another. Wi-Fi users can work in different countries around the world at all time.

Disadvantages Security – Wireless networks may choose to utilize some of the various encryption technologies available. The standard in use for many years, WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy), is slowly being phased out as it can be cracked easily with free tools. Range – The typical range of a common g network with standard equipment is on the order of tens of meters. While sufficient for a typical home, it will be insufficient in a larger structure. Repeaters or additional access points will have to be purchased. Reliability – Wireless networking signals are subject to a wide variety of interference, as well as complex propagation effects that are beyond the control of the network administrator. Speed – The speed on most wireless networks (typically 1-54 Mbps) is far slower than even the slowest common wired networks (100Mbps up to several Gbps). * The current distance record for a Wi-Fi connection is 237 miles. It was achieved by using non-standard hardware.

Images of Wireless Signals

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Erika Chavez Daniel Penney Raquel Valenzuela Andrea Camacho Presentation By: