Wi-fi Technology

WiFi is another word used to describe wireless internet or wireless network, its often used by none technical users who is only knowledgeable on how to access wireless internet network. WiFi is essentially an acronym meaning wireless fidelity. It could also be possible that some advance user may be ignorant of this terminology. More or less it is sometimes referred to as Wifi. The term Wi-Fi term is written in many ways such as, Wifi, WiFi, WIFI, Wi-Fi, fiwi etc.

Origin

Wi-Fi was introduced by Wi-Fi alliance in 1985. At that time it wasn't widely used but were just restrcted to certain organizations for testing purposes. Wi-Fi Alliance pioneered the development of WiFi technology, hence all the hardware associated with Wifi is mostly certified by Wifi Alliance compliance. Wifi later developed this technology and then eventually lunched for public use in USA in 90’s, so became the standards for most of the computer communications in numerous establishments around the world.Wifi standard technology refers to all associated hardware and technology encompassing the 802.11 network standards which is set by IEEE. IEEE is short form of Institute of electric and electronic engineering. There are lots of enhancements made in standards of 802.11 and 802.11a, 802.11b and other dual networks. The latest standard of 802.11 families is 802.11y. Other known standards are 802.16. These are the standards technology referred to as WiMax. In recent times there is an immerging technology which is IEEE 802.3.

Wifi security

The development of wifi networks is still in progress. Wifi for the most part is extensively used network world wide and many companies like banks transfer their sensitive data using Wireless networks. With this increased use of Wireless network, it brings potentially risk for critical data of users or organization. Data can be encrypted before sending it through wifi network even highly sensitive. WiFi security mechanism must ensures certain level of data integrity and confidentiality just as wired network provides. However, if proper security measures are not adopted, intruders can attack the network and can cause major damage to not only network but privacy of users.

Neatness of office area

There was a time when cables were used to network many computers simultaneously. Hardware like routers, hubs, switches etc took over wired communication between computers. It has brought high tech change in communication of computers by enabling wireless connectivity. It just keeps things very simple without much hassle and networks connections can be made far more easily. No wires are required. Wireless network keeps environment very tidy and more organised. There are many other features of Wireless LANs for example high speed connectivity. Wifi provides high speed connectivity and faster communication where cables are not practical to integrate for example in remote areas. The important features associated with it included Site survey, enterprise grade equipment, Scalability of systems, VPN Compatibility, flexible authentication methods, Guest satisfaction, End user mobility and easy access through Hotspots.

WiFi supports two different modes;

They are infrastructure and the ad hoc. The Ad hoc Wireless connections can be made without the use of the device called router or access point. Most network administrators prefer ad hoc over infrastructure mode. Ad hoc however have issues that must be tackled from time to time. Wifi devices connected using Ad hoc mode offers less security against unauthorized users. Ad hoc mode configuration that not permit disabling SSID broadcast in contrast to infrastructure mode, this brings hackers into play, and using ad hoc mode it is not very difficult for intruders to enter into the wireless network. There are two major differences between these two modes which is the rate at which data is transmitted accross the network. Wifi network standard 802.11g requires Ad hoc mode of communication to support 11Mbps bandwidth in contrast to it 54Mbps data transfer which is supported using infrastructure mode. Hence Ad hoc mode is considered much slower than Infrastructure mode.

Wireless based networks usage is becoming more popular in most develope countries; every organization is acquiring it if it was not using it before. Some cities have actually provided the entire city a wifi and turn the city into hotspot, big example in front of us is Chicago. Chicago have installed huge transmitter in shape of big size dish of Wifi which broadcast Wireless LAN radio signals throughout the city. It provides high speed internet connectivity very cheaply. Laptops, desktop computers, PDAs and other Wireless LAN card installed devices can access the network and get high speed connectivity on move. WiFi users is increasing by the day and so the hardware manufacturers are manufacturing the products on large scale scale. These products are easily available in market with reasonable cost. Laptops, PDAs, mother boards of latest desktop computer now come with built-in wireless LAN cards. If it is not installed already in your laptop one can buy PCMCI slot wifi card to install for accessing wireless network. Wifi PCI cards are also widely available in market. Now USB wifi are also ailable for short range but still works good.

Intelligent routers are available in market which works to connect different devices to wireless network. These routers can be configured with or without PC. All is required to plug internet cable in Ethernet or USB port to router’s appropriate port. When internet is available to routers it can be configured using its control panel using IP 192.168.1.1. That’s where we can enable SSID broadcasting or disable it and perform other functions. PCs can also be attached to routers for more advance management which routers cannot performs. PCs are mostly required to be used where network is huge and keeping and maintaining its integrity and stability is very important.

In this modern era everyone wants everything wireless, Wifi belongs to wireless technology family. There are so many other wireless technologies which have evolved around the time and Wifi is now been taken for granted and internet users in the world is now talking about much advanced and enhanced wireless network known as WiMax. WiMax is an advanced technology which goes several steps ahead of Wifi technology on many bases which includes Speed at which data is transferred, range with which connection is made and so much more.

Lets keep our fingers crossed as we see emerging technology one wonders which technology replace WiMax .