Wireless

How can wireless technology help?

If you are investigating a broadband Internet connection for your business and would like to share the connection between multiple computers, then you may want to consider asking your service provider if they can provide a router with an integrated wireless gateway. This can connect computers wirelessly to both the Internet and each other, and often minimise the need to lay additional cables.

Is wireless technology expensive?

Wireless networking products have been available for a few years, and prices have dropped significantly since their introduction. Commodity pricing places them easily within the reach of most consumers and the required equipment is generally easy to install and maintain. If you purchase a bundled service from your Internet service provider, much of the configuration work will be done for you.

So what exactly is wireless LAN technology?

The 802.11b wireless standard, often referred to simply as "wireless ethernet", is designed to provide computers with wireless communication in a way that is both compatible and easy to integrate with traditional wired networks. Because the same types of data can be sent over wireless networks as wired networks, they can be used for the same tasks. File sharing, printing and Internet access can all be performed over a wireless network.

You probably don't need any existing wired infrastructure in your office to implement a wireless network, and if you already have a wired network then in most cases a wireless network can be integrated seamlessly. A device called a "base station" or "wireless access point" connects client computers to the wired network. Every client computer communicates with the access point to send and receive data over the wireless network. Devices are now available that can act as both a broadband router and wireless access point. Integrating the functionality of both these devices into one box can save cabling, power plugs and office space.

Each computer to be connected to the network requires a device to enable wireless communication. In some of the very latest computers, particularly laptops, the wireless hardware and antenna may already be integrated into the design. For older equipment and most desktop machines, an adapter needs to be purchased. The adapter card used is typically either PCI or USB for desktop machines, or PCMCIA for older laptops. As with most new hardware devices, a software driver needs to be loaded for the operating system to recognise and enable the card.

While traditional "wired" networks are often faster, modern wireless equipment provides adequate bandwidth for most office environments. The connection speed available to the Internet is usually the weakest link in most business and corporate networks.

How secure are wireless networks?

Wireless networks have a limited range, usually somewhere around two hundred feet. They can usually be configured to transmit data encrypted, which makes it harder for potential eavesdroppers to listen to network activity. The ability to use the network can also be restricted to a list of known computers. There are some known weaknesses in the basic security model of wireless networks. If you want to implement a wireless network but are particularly concerned about the security of data on your network, then you should discuss the options available to you with your Internet service provider. Additional security layers can usually be added to increase privacy and keep sensitive data hidden from potential intruders.

What equipment should I choose, and will it be compatible with other vendors?

There are now a large number of companies offering wireless products and most of them test their equipment against each other for standards compliance and compatibility. The wireless fidelity "Wi-Fi" group is an industry consortium responsible for certifying that wireless equipment meets and conforms to the required standards. Equipment with "Wi-Fi" certification should provide trouble-free operation. Some equipment can provide additional features, such as the ability to deploy multiple base stations to cover a wide area of office space.

Conclusion and Summary

A growing number of computer manufacturers are building wireless network technologies into their products as standard. In the near future it is likely that every portable, laptop or handheld device will have some form of wireless connectivity built in by design. For business users, there has never been a better time to look at how wireless network technology can be successfully partnered with broadband internet services.