Wireless
network and its impact
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
INTRODUCTION To Wireless Networks
Wireless Comes of Age
Guglielmo
Marconi invented the wireless telegraph in 1896_*
- Communication
by encoding alphanumeric characters in analog signal
- Sent telegraphic signals across the Atlantic
Ocean
*_ Communications satellites launched in 1960s
*_ Advances in wireless technology
- Radio,
television, mobile telephone, communication satellites
More recently _*
- Broadband
wireless networking, cellular technology
What is Wireless network
Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by
cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications
networks and enterprise (business) installations avoid the costly
process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between
various equipment locations. Wireless telecommunications networks are
generally implemented and administered using radio
communication. This implementation takes place at the physical level
(layer) of the OSI model network structure.
What are the Types of wireless network ?
The types of networks are defined on the bases of their size (that is the
number of machines), their range and the speed of data transfer.
Wireless PAN - Wireless Personal Area Networks
Such networks interconnect devices in small premises usually within the
reach of a person for example invisible infra red light and Bluetooth radio
interconnects a headphone to a laptop by the virtue of WPAN. With the
installation of Wi-Fi into customer electronic devices the Wi-Fi PANs are commonly
encountered.
Wireless LAN - Local Area Network
The simplest wireless distribution method that is used for interlinking two
or more devices providing a connection to wider internet through an access
point. OFDM or spread-spectrum technologies give clients freedom to move within
a local coverage area while remaining connected to the LAN. LAN’s data transfer
speed is typically 10 Mbps for Ethernet and 1 Gbps for Gigabit Ethernet. Such
networks could accommodate as many as hundred or even one thousand users.
Wireless MAN - Metropolitan Area Networks
The wireless network that is used to connect at high speed multiple
wireless LANs that are geographically close (situates anywhere in a few dozen
kilometers). The network allows two or more nodes to communicate with each
other as if they belong to the same LAN. The set up makes use of routers or
switches for connecting with high-speed links such as fiber optic cables. WiMAX
described as 802.16 standard by the IEEE is a type of WMAN
Wireless WAN-Wireless wide
area networks
WAN is the wireless network that usually covers large outdoor areas. The
speed on such network depends on the cost of connection that increases with
increasing distance. The technology could be used for interconnecting the
branch offices of a business or public internet access system. Developed on
2.4GHz band these systems usually contain access points, base station gateways
and wireless bridging relays. Their connectivity with renewable source of
energy makes them stand alone systems. The most commonly available WAN is
internet.
Mobile devices networks
The advent of smart phones have added a new dimension in
telecommunications; today’s telephones are not meant to converse only but to
carry data.
Wireless networks provide an inexpensive and easy way to share a single Internet connection among several computers. This means you only need one modem, and you can add additional computers to the network just by plugging in a wireless card and turning them on. The new machines are connected to the Internet immediately
A wireless network also lets you access files and printers from anywhere in your home. It allows you to synchronize files you have on your laptop with your home computer, and you can easily send files between computers as well. Using a wireless network to transfer files is faster than sending them via e-mail or burning them to a CD! Because printers connected to one of the computers on a network are shared by all the computers on that network, you can write documents anywhere in your home, press the ‘print' button, and collect the printed files from a printer that is connected to another computer.
Wireless network
connections are always on. This means you can connect to the Internet whenever
you want without waiting for your modem to dial in. Laptops can be carried from
room to room, and they will always have access to the Internet. Since wireless
networks operate without the need to log in, you don't need to set up usernames
or passwords.
The single greatest thing about a wireless network is that it is, well, wireless! The biggest reason to have a wireless network is because it eliminates the need for costly, ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over your house. You can use your computer in any room you want - no more being trapped near a phone outlet or walking over that tangle of wires in your home. The cost of getting enough Ethernet cables can add up, and sometimes, you may even have to make holes in your walls to set up a wired network. If you're renting, of course, this is impossible.
With a wireless network, you don't have these problems - you can even use your computer outside if you want! And if you move, there is no need to disconnect and pack up all those wires, and you no longer have to examine all the wires for damage whenever your Internet connection goes down.
The single greatest thing about a wireless network is that it is, well, wireless! The biggest reason to have a wireless network is because it eliminates the need for costly, ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over your house. You can use your computer in any room you want - no more being trapped near a phone outlet or walking over that tangle of wires in your home. The cost of getting enough Ethernet cables can add up, and sometimes, you may even have to make holes in your walls to set up a wired network. If you're renting, of course, this is impossible.
With a wireless network, you don't have these problems - you can even use your computer outside if you want! And if you move, there is no need to disconnect and pack up all those wires, and you no longer have to examine all the wires for damage whenever your Internet connection goes down.
Impact of Wireless Networks on Business
Wireless technologies represent a
rapidly emerging area of growth and importance for providing access to the
networks for the workplace community. Employees, clients, and customers increasingly
want service and network access from various places inside and outside the
company. There has been significant interest lately for all businesses to set
up mobile computing workplaces for their employees and also mobile computing
for other functions of the business from distributors, suppliers, and service
providers. The industry has recently made significant progress in wireless
technology in resolving some constraints that have affected the widespread
adoption of wireless technologies. Some of these constraints have included
disparate standards, low bandwidth, and high infrastructure and service cost.
Wireless technologies can both support the organizational company mission and
provide cost effective solutions. Wireless is being adopted for many new
applications such as to connect computers, to allow remote monitoring and data
acquisition, to provide control and security, and to provide a solution for
environments where wires may not be the best implementation.
Wide Area Network Coverage(cell
phones/PDAs)
The lack of integrated networking
in PDAs isn't surprising given the variety of choices available. Users can use
with third-party tools, and manufacturers don't have to offer as many models or
gamble on which technologies will be more popular. Instead, the expansion ports
on new models let people choose from a fast-growing field of accessories.
Adding these peripherals are costly and the result is painstaking, but at least
you can piece together a solution. Personal area networks in close proximity to
an individual let you transfer personal data among devices. For example, if you
connect your PDA and digital phone with cables or by wireless signals, you've
set up a PAN. Cables are used most commonly today, followed by infrared, but
Bluetooth will be a major connection method. An ideal solution involves
inexpensive, low-power, easy-to-use components. PANs can and should have a
relatively short operating range and don't need high bandwidth. Bluetooth's
design objectives fit the profile of an ideal PAN, but today the advantages of
using Bluetooth devices are complicated by configuration, interface, and other
problems, and they still cost too much. If you go beyond integrated devices and
phone combinations, there is alot of two-device solutions that connect PDAs and
digital cell phones. You can use serial cables, CF cards with cables for
specific phone models, infrared data modems in cell phones, and slide-in
accessories such as the Visor Phone(1 Fact Sheet, www.solveit.com). None of
these solutions are easy, and none are cheap, like for us College ISOM students
its practically impossible. One of the greatest roadblocks to the wireless
dream, unlike Europe is the stupid providers of networks and carriers in the
U.S, they absolutely stink, in addition to always charging more than you use.
Maintaining continuous and reliable coverage is also a big problem; remember
all those dropped phone calls. Carriers continue to build out their networks,
and are ignoring the real problem of increased bandwidth, while balancing the continued
delays of third-generation cell phone networks(2, White Paper,
www.broadcloud.com). "When 3G first rolls out in early to mid-2002 (in two
major versions, WCDMA and the ironically named CDMA 2000), the outlook for
combined devices should improve."(PC MAGAZINE) Until then you'll have to
be satisfied with existing two-device solutions.
There are many different
communication providers that provide Satellite like Skycell; with various
dispatch, data, voice and facsimile services. Hybrid Networks (satellite/terrestrial)
are plenty abound for example ARDIS which supports remote office staff, fleet
dispatch, maritime, and public safety. Packet Switched Wireless WAN is provided
by Cellemetry through a cellular control channel, some of the services they provide
are utilities management, measurement, inventory, security and asset fleet
tracking. There are endless providers for most of the TDMA, GSM, GPRS, OpenAir,
Blue Tooth, and IRDA(2, White Paper, www.broadcloud.com). The last two
specifically are part of a new personal area network standard, which is
primarily for interconnecting consumer devices. And can be used to connect cell
phones and PDA's to desktop and notebook PC's over larger LAN's and WAN's. Its
data transfer rates are between 115,400 kbps to 1mbps, unlike the TDMA, GSM,
GPRS, and OpenAir tec
The end
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