Wireless Frequently Asked Questions A Great Source of Information About Networking Terms For The Wireless Home Computer User   

What is an (AP) access point?

Access points are to wireless LANs what base stations are to mobile cellular networks. The base station in a mobile cellular network aggregates and manages all the mobile clients and interfaces with the public switched landline network.Similarly, access points (APs) connect the wireless LAN to the wired network. An AP is a device that both transmits and receives network data. It is typically connected to the wired backbone through the use of a standard Ethernet cable.

Essentially, the Wireless Equivalent To A LAN Hub

The AP receives, buffers and transmits data between the WLAN (wireless local area network) and the wired infrastructure. The number of users an AP supports is determined by the technology utilized.The AP, or the antenna connected to it, is generally mounted high on a wall or ceiling to enable line-of-sight transmission to the adapters. APs have ranges from less than 100 feet to 1,000 feet, depending on technology and configuration. Some routers also have APs built-in.

Do I need a wireless

NO, going wireless is totally up to you. Wireless networks are great for your laptop, and pulling cables can be expensive and time consuming, but if you can pull cables (category 5 and 6) through your walls to connect to all of your computers by all means do it that way.But remember that you can't take the cables with you if you move. Sometimes wireless networks can be finicky.

Typically, networks are set up with a wireless access point (AP). This is called infrastructure mode. However, WLAN cards can be configured to ad-hoc mode, where computers talk directly to each other and do not need an AP.However, without an AP, the two computers will talk only to each other, not to the LAN or Internet.

What is a Wireless Network Interface Cards (NICs)?

LAN adapters take the form of PC NIC (network interface cards), PC cards (both 16-bit and 32-bit versions, such as PCMCIA and CardBus) for notebooks, USB for both notebooks and desktops, and PCI for desktops.

NIC adapters provide the interface between the network operating system and the antenna, creating a transparent connection to the network.

What hardware components make up a WLAN network?

WLAN networks need, at a minimum, one 802.11 adapters in client devices such as laptops. And a wireless router connected to a cable modem or DSL line. Most WLANs have an access point, which connects wireless users to the wired LAN.

Routers, hubs, and switches are also used to connect access points to the wired LAN—some manufacturers build these capabilities into the same package.

What is peer-to-peer network and how is it set up?

Also known as ad-hoc mode. A peer-to-peer network is a WLAN in its most basic form. Enabling the PCs to share resources. An access point is not present in a peer-to-peer network.

Is 802.11g backward compatible with 802.11b?

Yes. 802.11b devices are specified by the IEEE to work in 802.11g networks. However, 802.11g devices will have speeds of up to 11 Mbps, unable to operate at 54 Mbps.

Which will have the best range? 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g?

The range of a wireless system is based more on the frequency band that it operates in vs. the standard that it uses. Although makers of 802.11a equipment might disagree, the 5GHz frequency that 802.11a wireless equipment operates in results in a shorter range than 802.11b,g products when used in the typical residential environment.

802.11b and g-based equipment operates in the lower-frequency 2.4GHz frequency band, which suffers from less signal reduction when passing through the walls and ceilings of your home.

Can Encryption Slow Down my Wireless Performance?

Although the calculations required to encrypt data with WEP,WPA,WPA2 can impact the performance of your wireless network. It's generally seen only when running benchmarks, and not large enough to be noticeable in the course of normal network usage.

Can Cordless Phones Interfere with my Wireless Network?

Depending on the protocol you are using, yes. 2.4 GHz phones, baby monitors, microwave ovens can interfere with an 802.11b,g network. 802.11a networks operate in a different frequency range, where there is less interference.

What is 802.11?

802.11 can mean two things...

The umbrella term for the IEEE 802.11 family of physical and software layer protocols the first version of WLAN, ratified in 1997. This protocol offers 2Mbps in the 2.4GHz frequency.