Wireless
Solutions
Popular WLAN
technologies all follow one of the three main
Wi-Fi communication standards. The benefits
of wireless networking depend on the standard
employed:
- 802.11b was
the first standard to be widely used in WLAN's.
- The 802.11a
standard is faster but more expensive than
802.11b; 802.11a is more commonly found in
business networks.
- The newest
standard, 802.11g, attempts to combine the
best of both 802.11a and 802.11b, though it
too is more a more expensive home networking
option.
Range of wireless
networks can depend on the manufacturer but
usually the range can cover up to 100 feet,
although obstructions like walls can greatly
reduce this.
Wireless products
costs somewhat more than the equivalent wired
Ethernet products. At full retail prices, wireless
adapters and access points may cost three or
four times as much as Ethernet cable adapters
and hubs/switches, respectively. 802.11b products
have dropped in price considerably with the
release of 802.11g.
Wireless LAN's
suffer a few more reliability problems than
wired LAN's, though perhaps not enough to be
a significant concern. 802.11b and 802.11g wireless
signals are subject to interference from other
home appliances including microwave ovens, cordless
telephones, and garage door openers. With careful
installation, the likelihood of interference
can be minimized. Wireless networking products,
particularly those that implement 802.11g, are
comparatively new. As with any new technology,
expect it will take time for these products
to mature.
Wireless LAN's
using 802.11b support a maximum theoretical
bandwidth of 11 Mbps, roughly the same as that
of old, traditional Ethernet. 802.11a and 802.11g
WLAN's support 54 Mbps, that is approximately
one-half the bandwidth of Fast Ethernet. Furthermore,
Wi-Fi performance is distance sensitive, meaning
that maximum performance will degrade on computers
farther away from the access point or other
communication endpoint. As more wireless devices
utilize the WLAN more heavily, performance degrades
even further.
In theory, wireless
LAN's are less secure than wired LAN's, because
wireless communication signals travel through
the air and can easily be intercepted. To prove
their point, some engineers have promoted the
practice of wardriving, that involves traveling
through an area with Wi-Fi equipment scanning
the airwaves for unprotected WLAN's. On balance,
though, the weaknesses of wireless security
are more theoretical than practical. WLAN's
protect their data through the Wired Equivalent
Privacy (WEP) encryption standard, that makes
wireless communications reasonably as safe as
wired ones in homes and businesses.
On the plus wireless
networks offer mobility were notebooks and PDA's
can be taken anywhere in the building (providing
signal can be received) and actually access
networks on the go, this may be useful if people
need to use resources when they are between
meeting's with other personnel or clients.
If you would
like to discuss your requirements don't hesitate
to contact us as we are always willing to help
even with just a free quote. Remember we welcome
all types of custom (Home user's, Business user's
etc) and there's never a job too big or too
small. E-Mail
us on Info@assertcomputers.co.uk
or CALL 0700 341 8405 |
