How Does a Public WiFi Network Work?
Other People Are Reading
-
Hotspots
-
One no longer has to be at a physical work location or at home to connect to a network. WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), also known as wireless networking, makes it possible to work virtually anywhere. Many hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, airport lounges and some public transportation and businesses are utilizing the WiFi (802.11) protocol to provide hotspots. These public hotspots let users surf the web, check email, send instant message or do online banking on the go.
Process
-
A user with wireless enabled laptop or notebook PC, Tablet PC, or a Pocket PC can connect to a public hotspot. All the person has to do is power up the PC and then make sure that the wireless connection is working or enabled. If it is not enabled, you simply right-click on the wireless connection icon on the task bar, then click "Enable" or go to the network settings and enable the wireless connection would do the trick. The PC will then look for any available connection in and around the area. The user will choose the one with the strongest signal and then connect.
-
Transmitting Signals
-
A public WiFi uses the 802.11 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards and makes use of radio signals, similar to what cell phones and other similar wireless enabled devices use. The adapter card of a mobile or hand-held device, such as laptops, PC tablet and Pocket PC, translates data into radio signals transmitted by the antenna. The router receiving the signals then transmits and sends them to the Internet using a public LAN (Local Area Network) that is available for use. This process also works in reverse, whereby the public LAN supplying the network connectivity send the information to the router, which then translates and transmits the signals received to the wireless card of a mobile PC.
WiFi radios can transmit signals at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, allowing them to deliver higher data than radio waves used by cell phones. They can also transmit to three frequency bands, which are useful in reducing interference, allowing multiple wireless devices to connect to the same public LAN.
Types
-
There are two types of public hotspot connections, one is by using a general access that is free, and the other is by using an account to sign-up before the wireless network access will work. The second type either could be inclusive to a service or paid for per day or by duration of use (subscription).
Warning
-
It is important to safeguard your files by using encryption. You can set up encryption on your file folders or on any USB flash drive containing your documents. Safeguard your files by using password protection aside from encryption. It is also helpful to install a personal firewall to prevent intrusion or hacking. Use computer privacy screens when working in public places, especially if you are working with highly sensitive and confidential materials.
See Resources for more details.
-
