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