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