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