Wireless networks

Networks

A wireless local-area network (LAN) uses radio waves to connect devices such as laptops to the Internet and to your business network and its applications. When you connect a laptop to a WiFi hotspot at a cafe, hotel, airport lounge, or other public place, you're connecting to that business's wireless network..

A video with horrible background music to help you understand this

This video explores wireless networks at a suitable level of technical depth for IB computer science:

Advantages of wireless networks

The text below is used with gratitude from Cisco Systems

1. Convenience. Access your network resources from any location within your wireless network's coverage area or from any WiFi hotspot.
2. Mobility. You're no longer tied to your desk, as you were with a wired connection. You and your employees can go online in conference room meetings, for example.
3. Productivity. Wireless access to the Internet and to your company's key applications and resources helps your staff get the job done and encourages collaboration.
4. Easy setup. You don't have to string cables, so installation can be quick and cost-effective.
5. Expandable. You can easily expand wireless networks with existing equipment, while a wired network might require additional wiring.
6. Security. Advances in wireless networks provide robust security protections.
7. Cost. Because wireless networks eliminate or reduce wiring costs, they can cost less to operate than wired networks.

Disadvantages of wireless networks

I use the edited list below with gratitude from turbofuture

1. It can require extra costs and equipment to set up
2. File-sharing transfer speeds are normally slower with wireless networks than they are with cabled. The speeds can also vary considerably according to your location in relation to the network.
3. The general speed of a wireless connection is also usually much slower than a wired one. The connection also gets worse the farther you are from the router, which can be a problem in a large building or space.
4. Wireless connections can be obstructed by everyday household items and structures such as walls, ceilings, and furniture.
5. Wireless networks are generally less secure (this depends on the competence of
6. If an access point fails, and there isn't a good mesh setup, the cost of failure could be high.

Hardware and software components

Hardware

1. Antenna
2. Networking interface card (NIC)

More about NIC's

A major part of a wireless LAN includes a radio NIC that operates within the computer device and provides wireless connectivity. A wireless LAN radio NIC, sometimes referred to as a radio card, often implements the 802.11 standard. The cards generally implement one particular physical layer, such as 802.11a or 802.11b/g. As a result, the radio card must utilize a version of the standard that is compatible with the wireless LAN. Wireless LAN radio cards that implement multiple versions of the standard and provide better interoperability are becoming more common.

Radio cards come in a variety of form factors, including: ISA, PCI, PC card, mini-PCI, and CF. PCs generally utilize ISA and PCI cards; but PDAs and laptops use PC cards, mini-PCI, and CF adapters.

Software components

1. Drivers providing the abstraction required by the operating system and implementing functions
2. Firmware of the network card implementing transport oriented protocols

Standards

• Outline the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks.
• Describe the hardware and software components of a wireless network.
• Describe the characteristics of wireless networks.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

Give a sequence of brief answers with no explanation.

A state in which two things are able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict.

Give a brief account.

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.