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Written by Tony Phelps
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Thursday, 17 November 2005 |
Wireless networking has been around for a few years now. It’s a simple
enough idea, but what does it mean practically for day-to-day IT users,
and is it worth considering?
Wireless networks simply enable computers to communicate without
needing a physical wire between them. This is most useful for a device
that can be completely free of wires, for example a laptop computer
which has its own battery power supply. With a wireless connection, it
could browse the internet, send & receive emails, print, and do any
of the other things a big desktop computer could do, only it could do
it from wherever you choose to sit or stand (within range of the
wireless receiver, usually 50-100m).
However, a desktop computer can equally benefit. Say you want to put it
in your boardroom or your bedroom just for a day or two. It is hardly
worth installing a network cable all the way from your internet
connection or server. A wireless link gives you the option of putting a
computer wherever you feel, whenever you need to. It is a benefit of
surprising convenience. Only when you have tried a wireless connection
do you truly appreciate how much easier it can make life.
There is a plethora of wireless equipment available – add-on cards to
install in desktops, receivers that can also handle the internet
connection plus wired connections to other computers, range extenders,
aerials for building-to-building links. There are also several
standards, which basically relate to the speed of the wireless link.
The current standard is 54Mbps, about half the speed of the typical
home or business network, but older stuff works at 11Mbps, and new
standards are promising 108Mbps. Mostly, wireless equipment is able to
talk to each other even if it means slowing down to older standards.
One thing to be careful of is wireless security. When you use a
wireless link, you are broadcasting over a radio signal – and anyone
can receive that signal. Encrypting wireless data is essential, and
there are several extra steps (such as defining which wireless devices
are part of a network and ignoring any others) that can be taken too.
Next time you need to add or move a computer, or if a temporary
location with network/internet access is required, have a think about
putting in a wireless connection. The equipment is getting cheaper all
the time, the ease of use and reliability is improving, and the
security is now pretty good too. |
