| Understanding wireless and wireless LAN | | | | Local Area Network, is a computer network -or |
| networking enable you to properly plan and | | | | part thereof- that incorporates wireless |
| design the effective deployment of wireless | | | | devices. In a WLAN network, a conventional |
| networks be it home-networking or using | | | | LAN set-up can be extended to include |
| outdoor long-range WLAN for rural internet | | | | wireless devices using an access point. |
| connectivity. Wireless networking allows | | | | Although wireless networks can be completely |
| computers and peripherals to communicate | | | | independent of conventional network, WLAN |
| using radio frequency (RF) transmissions | | | | usually forms part of an existing wired |
| rather than over conventional network | | | | network. Wireless Transmission ranges vary |
| cabling. Using wireless Ethernet adaptors, | | | | greatly and lowering the bandwidth will |
| any device capable of being used on a regular | | | | increase the coverage area, a standard |
| computer network can be accessed over a | | | | 802.11b or 802.11g device will typically have |
| wireless connection for task ranging from | | | | a range of about 30m indoor and up to 120m |
| file and printer sharing to multimedia and | | | | line-of-sight outdoors. The main reason for |
| internet access. Wireless Ethernet Technology | | | | the variance between indoors and |
| is outlined by a set of standards called IEEE | | | | line-of-sight coverage is that walls and |
| 802.11. Although other wireless technologies | | | | other objects do impede the wireless signal. |
| and protocols exist, the term wireless is | | | | Because wireless transmissions are actually |
| generally used in reference to the IEEE | | | | low frequency radio waves, they will pass |
| 802.11 standards. The communication protocols | | | | through walls and other solid matter |
| for wireless networking are defined by the | | | | relatively easy. As distance increases, the |
| Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE) | | | | throughput decreases. This is because lower |
| 802.11 standard, which incorporates the | | | | signal strength result in dropped packets and |
| 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g protocols | | | | result in a general decrease in network |
| (although other standards are in progress). | | | | efficiency. Understanding the technology in |
| The most widely used of these is 802.11b | | | | wireless and wireless LAN/WAN networking |
| (Wireless-B), which is more reliable than the | | | | allows the planner the flexibility of using |
| faster 802.11a (Wireless-A) standard, and is | | | | wired and wireless networks. There are areas |
| more cost-effective to produce and operate as | | | | that wired networks can not go owing to |
| well. Wireless-G or 802.11g, is a newer | | | | distance, terrain or topography thus if the |
| protocol that is becoming more widely adopted | | | | planner has knowledge on wireless LAN |
| by vendors as it is capable of speeds up to | | | | networking, the simpler, faster and easy it |
| 54Mbps rather than the 11Mbps of 802.11b | | | | is to deploy an effective wireless network. |
| devices. It is no longer rare to find devices | | | | Understanding how wireless LAN works will |
| that support all three standards, but | | | | also help you plan deployment of a rural |
| generally, Wireless-G is designed to be | | | | wireless internet access service. Wireless |
| backwards compatible with Wireless-B devices. | | | | LAN is a very cost-effective solution for |
| Thus Wireless-B and Wireless-A devices will | | | | much needed internet connectivity |
| not work with each other, and neither are | | | | requirements in far, remote villages. WISP is |
| they compatible with Wireless-G devices. Some | | | | a good and potential business in remote |
| manufacturers offer models with dual-band | | | | areas. Either you use commercial |
| (Wireless A & G/B) auto-switch mode for | | | | "off-the-shelf" WLAN gadget, tweak and |
| greater communication flexibility. Network | | | | improve its performance by using higher-gain |
| planners can plan their network deployment by | | | | outdoor antenna or buy a true-outdoor |
| using a combination of Wireless-B,G or A. | | | | long-range Wireless LAN. For assured network |
| Wireless 802.11 standard utilizes the | | | | performance, service-quality and less network |
| license-free radio frequency bands around the | | | | downtime, we recommend using the latter. The |
| 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz ranges. The 802.11b and | | | | goal is to reach people yearning to start |
| 802.11g protocols use the 2.4GHz band whereas | | | | their own home-based business even in remote |
| 802.11a uses the 5GHz band. Wireless-B is by | | | | regions thru cost-effective internet business |
| far the most popular standard, with the newer | | | | and long-range wireless communication |
| Wireless-G (802.11g) and Wireless-A (802.11a) | | | | solutions. |
| closing in fast. Wi-FI or Wireless Fidelity | | | | |
| is a certification program established by the | | | | The author, Allan Amps is from the Telecom |
| Wi-Fi Alliance to ensure interoperability of | | | | industry and has passion and interest in |
| wireless devices. Originally, the term Wi-Fi | | | | rural, remote internet connectivity |
| was intended to be interchangeable with | | | | solutions, wireless gadgets and internet |
| 802.11b, but more recently it has broadened | | | | home-based business. |
| to cover any 802.11 network. WLAN or Wireless | | | | |