| Many small businesses have considered connecting | | | | the distance from a wireless access point to the |
| computers and other devices to their corporate | | | | wireless device is more than a few dozen |
| network via wireless (WiFi) connections, and a | | | | meters, wireless repeaters can be installed to |
| brave few have actually done so. Many of these | | | | boost the signal. These repeaters can also be |
| early networks required that wireless devices be | | | | placed so that the wireless signals can be |
| carefully placed within the building so that the | | | | accessible from all corners of the building. |
| wireless signal reached all intended recipients. | | | | Wireless Network Security Solved |
| Typically, these networks lacked adequate | | | | Installing a simple wireless network is pretty |
| security features, which left them vulnerable to | | | | straightforward, but installing a secure wireless |
| information and resource theft by unauthorized | | | | network can be substantially more difficult. |
| persons. These two problems have now been | | | | However, an Ann Arbor company called Interlink |
| largely solved, meaning that it may be time for | | | | Networks now offers their LucidLink products, |
| more small businesses to look into the potential | | | | which make installing comprehensive wireless |
| advantages a wireless network can offer. | | | | network security a snap. Before LucidLink became |
| Wireless Networking Basics | | | | available, an organization wishing to lock down |
| Building a wireless network requires two distinct | | | | their wireless network would need to hire |
| types of hardware components, wireless access | | | | expensive network security consultants to install |
| points, and wireless access cards. The wireless | | | | and manage the wireless portion of the network. |
| access point is a device, which is attached to an | | | | LucidLink packages all of this expertise into a |
| existing computer network via a standard | | | | software add-on that is so easy to use that even |
| Ethernet cable. It has an antenna on it, which | | | | a small company's office manager can easily take |
| allows it to broadcast and receive signals from | | | | control over who is accessing the company |
| PCs and other devices. Each device wishing to | | | | network via wireless. It goes above and beyond |
| communicate with the access point needs a | | | | simple address authentication (standard with most |
| wireless access card, which also contains an | | | | wireless routers), and implements what is called a |
| antenna. The current wireless standard, called | | | | RADIUS server. RADIUS servers are what large |
| 802.11g, allows for up to 54 megabits of data per | | | | organizations spend thousands of dollars installing |
| second to be transmitted between the desired | | | | and maintaining in order to secure their large |
| access point and the access card. While not quite | | | | (1000+ node) wireless networks. Until now, |
| as fast as wired networks, which typically run at | | | | installing a RADIUS server was out of the price |
| 100 megabits to 1000 megabits per second, | | | | range for all but the largest companies. In |
| wireless networks offer more flexibility, and can | | | | contrast, LucidLink's product can be purchased for |
| be less expensive to install. This is especially true | | | | as little as $99 for a 3 user Home Office Edition, |
| for older buildings where installing cable can | | | | $449 for a 10 user version, and goes up to |
| become cost prohibitive. | | | | $3995 for a 250 user version. |
| Cutting Corners | | | | Summary |
| Wireless networks use radio frequency waves to | | | | While there are still issues with making sure that |
| transmit information, and thus they are | | | | all areas of a building are covered, the current |
| susceptible to being blocked by walls and other | | | | WiFi standard (802.11g) has a more powerful |
| obstructions in a building. These obstructions can | | | | signal, meaning less emphasis needs to be placed |
| cause "dead zones" where the radio waves are | | | | on the locations of attached devices. However, it |
| unable to reach their intended recipients. | | | | is still recommended that a professional site |
| Microwave ovens and other radio frequency | | | | survey be done to verify that all required areas |
| emitting devices can also wreak havoc on | | | | of the building can be reached by the wireless |
| wireless signals. The solution is to place your | | | | signal. Meanwhile, Interlink Networks has finally |
| wireless access points strategically around your | | | | solved the security problem at a price that is |
| building so that interference is minimized. When | | | | affordable for small and medium sized business. |