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Introduction
Wireless Network
refers to technology that enables two or more computers to communicate using
standard network protocols, but without the connecting
cables. It uses radio waves for transmission of data, allowing computers to
share printers, files or an internet connection without any wires between them.
Wireless networking rely on radio frequencies to link
one or more groups of users together, or to provide a link between two
buildings. The data transmission between the individual computers required
each of the them to have a wireless network adapter. A wireless network hub or
router is used to bridge the wireless network to traditional ethernet or
home phoneline networks, or provide a shared internet connection.
How Wireless
Network Works?
When computer sends data over a wireless connection, wireless adapter card
or device
translates data
from a digital signal (bits) into an analog signal (radio waves)
and transmits it using an antenna.
Next, the radio waves travel through the air,
a
wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. It sends the information to
the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet
connection.
The process also works in reverse, with the router receiving information from
the Internet, translating it into a radio signal and sending it to the
computer's wireless adapter.
There are two kinds
of wireless networks:
-
Peer-to-peer
wireless network or ad-hoc wireless networks
Consists of a number of computers each equipped with a wireless networking
interface card. Each computer can communicate directly with all of the other
wireless enabled computers. They can share files and printers this way, but may
not be able to access wired LAN resources, unless one of the computers acts as a
bridge to the wired LAN using special software.
-
Wireless access
point, or base station
The access point acts like a hub, providing connectivity for the wireless
computers. It can connect the wireless LAN to a wired LAN, allowing wireless
computer access to LAN resources, such as file servers or existing Internet
Connectivity.
There are two types of access points:
- Dedicated hardware access points (HAP) : Hardware access points offer
comprehensive support of most wireless features.
- Software Access Points : run on a computer equipped with a wireless network
interface card as used in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer wireless network. Software
Access Points offer feature such as Direct PPPoE support and extensive
configuration flexibility, but may not offer the full range of wireless features
defined in the 802.11 standard.
Range of a
Wireless Network
Each access point has a limited range within which a wireless
connection can be maintained between the client computer and the
access point. The actual distance varies depending upon the
environment; manufacturers typically state both indoor and outdoor
ranges to give a reasonable indication of reliable performance. Also
it should be noted that when operating at the limits of range the
performance may drop, as the quality of connection deteriorates and
the system compensates.
Typical indoor ranges
: 150-300 feet (may be shorten if the
building construction interferes with radio transmissions. Longer
ranges are possible, but performance will degrade with distance).
Outdoor ranges
: 1000 feet, but this depends
upon the environment.
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