- Wireless networking, as its name implies, is a form of networking that eliminates the use of wires or Ethernet cables to connect computers, printers and gaming consoles to each other. Radio waves and microwaves used in wireless networking to allow communications between these resources eliminate the use of fiber optic cabling commonly used in wired networking.
- The IEEE 802.11 standard is what a wireless network uses. There are multiple stations communicating with each other using a broadcast of 2.45GHz or 5GHz. There are computers, such as laptops, that come with a built-in wireless card. Older models of computers, printers and gaming consoles may need a wireless card installed first through their hubs or slots in order to work in a wireless network. One would connect the wireless router, which is the access point (AP), with an Ethernet cable to the DSL or broadband router and then configured with the necessary credentials such as network name and password. Each resource would then communicate to the wireless router, which it will find automatically. If the wireless router needs authentication for connection, the authorized resource would get through with the user typing the password for authentication.
- There are two types of wireless networking: BSS (basic service set), also known as infrastructure BSS, and IBSS (independent basic service set). In BSS or infrastructure mode, there is a master station, also known as the access point (AP) where other stations associate to it. All communications pass through the AP. With the IBSS, there is no need for an AP or master station, allowing all stations to communicate directly and independently. IBSS is commonly known as ad hoc network, which means it communicates using peer-to-peer networking.
- Before wireless networking can work, there should be a clear understanding of the needs and requirements. There should be careful consideration in regards to making the system more secure. For example, it is easier for hackers to hack into a wireless network as opposed to a wired network because some users would set up theirs without enabling the security and encrypting features. In most cases, many base stations have WEP (wired equivalent privacy) turned off by default, leaving the network vulnerable to attacks. In order to ensure that the network is safe, one must consider using WEP and WPA (WiFi protected access). Costs should also be another factor to consider. For home computing or smaller businesses, it would be cheaper to set up a wireless network compared to bigger companies not just only in terms of the number of user and system connections but how wireless would work in a larger or wider area. Bigger companies combine the use or wired and wireless networking. Using hotspots and allowing users to use VPN (virtual private networks) may help reduce the risks and allow the users to access the network, virtually, from anywhere.
- Wireless networking makes it easier for users to connect without the hassle of trying to connect using Ethernet cables. One can be several hundreds of feet away from the access point and still be able to connect using wireless connections. In wired networking, one has to worry about how to connect to the network when moving from one room to the other. Using wireless networking allows a user to be mobile within the range of the signal, without having to worry about cables not reaching the ports.
