| WiFi is a wireless technology that caters for two | | | | small but sufficient window of opportunity to do |
| types of network connection configurations. One | | | | their little nasty tricks. |
| is known as an "infrastructure" configuration and | | | | 5. WiFi connections transmit data using the 2.4GHz |
| the other is known as an "ad-hoc" configuration. | | | | wireless spectrum making it susceptible to |
| With an ad-hoc WiFi network, a connection can be | | | | interference from other devices such as |
| made quickly without a central wireless router or | | | | Bluetooth enabled devices, cell phones, cordless |
| access point. An ad-hoc wireless mode is usually | | | | phones, microwave ovens and other wireless |
| preferred over an infrastructure wireless mode | | | | devices that share a similar wireless spectrum and |
| because it is easier to setup and get working. | | | | are in close vicinity. This type of interference can |
| However, ad-hoc wireless networks have the | | | | make the wireless connection unreliable and your |
| following issues: | | | | iPod Touch experience an unhappy one. |
| 1. WiFi devices such as the iPod Touch that are | | | | 6. Streaming high definition video and high quality |
| configured to work with an Ad-hoc mode wireless | | | | audio cannot be played smoothly with an ad-hoc |
| network are less secure and susceptible to | | | | WiFi connection because of the slower data |
| network hackers. Ad-hoc WiFi configured devices | | | | transfer rate especially if more and more people |
| cannot disable the Service Set IDentifier (SSID) | | | | are accessing and sharing the same wireless |
| broadcast compared to an infrastructure mode | | | | access point. |
| configuration and hence can be easily identified by | | | | The Good Side of WiFi |
| network hackers without your knowledge. | | | | The iPod Touch has WiFi capability to allow you to |
| 2. Ad-hoc mode WiFi signals can be less powerful | | | | connect to a wireless access point and to share |
| than those generated with infrastructure mode | | | | an Internet connection within a close local area |
| wireless where full strength singles can be set up | | | | usually only 100 feet or 30 meters. A wireless |
| to provide a greater range. This means your are | | | | access point broadcasting a WiFi signal can be |
| confined to a much smaller area where it could be | | | | picked up by an iPod Touch and would require a |
| too crowded with other people who are also using | | | | password if it is protected and locked. However, |
| the network. | | | | don't expect a fast connection that allows you to |
| 3. The WiFi networking standard for the ad-hoc | | | | watch and listen to videos! WiFi on the iPod Touch |
| mode of communication only supports up to | | | | is fine for modest data needs and speeds such as |
| 11Mbps of bandwidth which is slower than the | | | | news items, weather services, web searches, etc. |
| infrastructure mode configuration that can | | | | But the good thing about the WiFi enabled iPod |
| transfer data up to 54Mbps. Slower bandwidths | | | | Touch is that you can take it with you and visit |
| don't work too when viewing video clips. | | | | stores such as Starbucks and McDonalds and |
| 4. WiFi access points do not seamlessly deploy | | | | enjoy a hot and smooth coffee while using their |
| network encryption protocols to secure a wireless | | | | free WiFi Internet connection to catch up with the |
| network. If it is required, it must be done as the | | | | latest news, sports results, weather reports, and |
| network is enabled manually. This gives hackers a | | | | e-mails from your friends. |