What Is Wi-Fi

Wireless technology has become a prominent field in the area of networking. It has many uses. The most important being portability and mobility. With the help of wireless technology people now can send and receive messages, phone calls, faxes, read files, login on remote machines etc. and perform all the above mentioned duties from anywhere on land, sea, or air.

The technology of wifi has stormed the field of wireless networking. There are numerous applications of wifi. Nowadays it is very useful and critical in business world because today's business gives more emphasis on the communication of the information. Wifi also finds usage at home, workplaces, shops, any public places etc. the study of the advantages and the risks involved in the wifi system is necessary in order to exploit the full use of it.

About wireless networks.

The transfer of information from node to another with the help of electromagnetic waves is referred to as wireless communication. Signals are normally broadcast through free space and are available to anyone who has device capable of receiving them. A new technique of wireless data transmission known as wifi (wireless fidelity) has been developed. Wifi uses the radio waves to transmit the data. It uses the frequency of 2.4GHz and uses SSID for addressing purposes. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. It uses a set of characters or numbers addresses so that the sending access point can be identified. Any access point which wants to receive the signal must have the same set of SSID as that of sender's SSID.

Advantages.

The usage of wifi system has numerous advantages. The most important advantage is the cost factor. Since there are free hotspots or access points, a free connection between two nodes cab be established in the network.
A wireless network also provides the facilities of mobility. Hence it is now possible to have a wireless connection, free of hard wired connections.It is also easy to install and configure wifi network. It is also easy and generally faster, internet connections are possible by wifi networks.

Dangers and risks.

Since wifi is a wireless connection it uses the shared wireless space. Hence it is possible that many signals of similar frequencies can interfere with each other and cause unnecessary distortions. This leads to the loss of data and the received data may get corrupted. Hence wifi does not ensure an error free connection.
Another danger involved is related to security of data. It is possible that users who are new to the wifi network may setup an insecure access point, without setting the various security configurations.
It is also possible that some miscreants may use the same default SSID everywhere to access the secured access points illegally. The best way to counter these dangers is to learn and study the configuration of the secured network and make it a rule to always use a different SSID for access point and never keep the default value.


Sunday, June 29, 2008

WiFi Access Point



The field of communication is the fastest growing field in science and technology. The advancement in wireless communication was started in 1901 with development of wireless telegraph using Morse code. Wireless networks have many uses, people on the road now can send messages, data, mail, files etc from anywhere in the world. With advancement in the internet technology in the 1980's there is an ever increasing interest in wireless networking.

A network is a group of connected communicating devices such as computer. An internet is a collaboration of more than hundreds of thousands interconnected networks. Private individuals as well as various organizations such as government agencies, schools, research facilities, corporations and libraries in more than 100 countries use the internet.

The internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily lives. It has affected the way we do business as well as the way we spend our leisure time. Count the ways you've used the internet recently. Perhaps you've sent electronic mail (e-mail) to a business associate, paid a utility bill, read newspaper from a distant city, or looked up a local movie schedule- all by using the internet. Or maybe you researched a medical topic, booked a hotel reservation, chatted with a fellow Trekkie, or comparison-shopped for car. The internet is a communication system that has brought a wealth of information you or fingertips and organized it for our use.
A new technology known as wifi which stands for wireless fidelity was developed which enables the users to transmit data at a fast rate. The whole concept of wifi is based on access points.

Access points.

An access point can be thought as a hardware device or a software which establishes a wireless communication. this access point gets connected to wired local area network such as DSL, cables. Any two systems which are wifi enabled can thus connect without the need of physical connection. It improves the mobility if the nodes.

The access point also allows the user to have a faster connection by providing better bandwidth. Now it is possible for a user to watch movies, download software and play multiplayer games all at the same time, this is all made possible by wifi connection which provides a superior bandwidth over existing networks.

In order to utilize a wifi network to its maximum we should properly understand the basics of it. We should understand the meaning of access points and should know how to install and implement them. As there are numerous benefits of these wifi networks,

You can also find more info on Wi-Fi and Get Wi-Fi Antenna. Topwifireviews.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Wi-Fi Wireless Network Technology.

Connect to the Internet Through Wifi

James Hunt

Wifi known as Wireless Fidelity allows a user to connect to the internet without using network cabling. Whether it’s from your bedroom, couch, indoors or outdoors data can be sent and received within the range of a wireless base station. Wifi uses 802.11a or 802.11b technologies to provide a very reliable connection that is also fast and secure.

Wifi is available to every type of internet user and allows multiple users to connect to each other, other devices and the internet. However, your connecting device will need to have a Wifi certified card (PC Card or PCMCIA card) and it will connect to other certified products such as a base station or access point. It also saves on the cost and distance limitations of using cables, not to mention the unsightly look of running cables throughout an area.

These networks are very useful in the business and sales industry as they allow salespeople and travelers to connect to the network with ease and not be confined to one location to access applications such as email and databases. They allow business networks to easily expand and grow making a Wifi network a very useful technology in the business world. Businesses no longer need to abandon current network infrastructures and start over, they can simply use this wireless technology to easily change the network and allow for rapid growth.

Wifi networks work at the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands and possible speeds of 11 or 54 Mbps. Their speeds are very comparable to 10baseT networks and allow for easy network access. A Wifi network is essentially plug and play as you can turn on a certified device and connect to the wireless network providing you have the proper authentication and security credentials.

Wifi networks have security in the form of WEP (Wired Equivalent Protocol) that can provide the same level of security as that of a wired LAN. Wireless networks that are transmitted over radio waves are more susceptible to security problems, but WEP aims to provide security by encrypting the data sent over the radio waves.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.Read more at http://www.wifi-central.info

To WIFI or Not to WIFI

To WIFI or Not To WIFI

Many people are confused with the huge amount of contradicting information on WIFI. I want to make this as simple as possible.

There are two main types of network setups. One is wired and the other is Wireless. WIFI is great for homes and small offices wanting a fast way to build a new network setup or upgrade an existing one. WIFI is especially good for families with multiple PCs wanting to share an Internet connection. But keep in mind that even though WIFI producing companies state that WIFI is secure, they don't hold a candle when it comes to cable based networks. Cable based networks are much more secure and offer higher transfer rates. On the other hand cabling needs additional work and planning to fully implement like trucking and In-wall Installation.

So if you want to install a WIFI DSL router for the soul purpose of sharing your internet connection amongst family members, then make sure to turn off File & Printing Sharing. This can be accessed from network connections located in the Control Panel.

In conclusion; data sensitive companies should stir away from WIFI for present time and the near future. But if WIFI is used just for sharing the internet connection, there would be no problem there. Home users can safely use WIFI but must make sure that no sensitive data resides on the PC (E.g. data from work) and secure the connection with a user name and password.

Another thing; always choose a Router over a Switch and a Switch over a Hub for cable based networks. The three devices mentioned earlier are all used to connect different computers together. But the Router is the most secure, smart and highly customizable of the three. The Switch on the other hand is easy to use with no configuration needed and costs so much less than a Router. Forget about Hubs they are plain stupid.

**You are free to publish this article by any delivery method you see fit. But you are kindly asked keep the article intact and as is.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Free WiFi While Traveling

Staying connected while you are traveling is becoming easier each day. Not only are more businesses making WiFi available to their customers, but internet sites are popping up to let you know where you can connect and how.

It is becoming even more convenient with searches now available through your iPhone to search for free WiFi spots. Every state in the Unites States offers some WiFi hotspots for the eager traveler.

The locations have also expanded. It seems the coffee industry started a trend that everyone is jumping on board. Offer free internet connections to the customers and they will come. Now you can enjoy dinner or a coffee (or even get your oil changed) all while checking your emails or chatting away. The government has even jumped on board. Some city services (library, chamber of commerce, city hall) have free WiFi available to local residents and even just those who are passing through. There are even a few cities that are taking the WiFi services citywide (although it is still unclear how this will work for visitors).

Although WiFi connections are catching on, there is a catch to using them. You must be a customer or authorized user. Most of the connections will ask you if you are authorized to use the service - and you better be if you are going to log on. One man, who had been parking outside a local coffee shop to access its WiFi, was arrested for theft. If the WiFi is truly free then you won't have to verify anything when you log on.

The best thing to do when you are traveling is to do a quick search before you leave. You should be able to find some WiFi connections along the way. Your hotel will most likely be wired, but that doesn't mean it will be free. Many of the hotels I have stayed at required that you connect through a paid service (AT&T for example) and so the connection was available but it wasn't free.

Here are a few places that offer free services to customers at most (if not all) locations:

Staples

Most airports

Many hospitals

Apple retail stores

Krystal restaurants

Many other chains and some local establishments also offer WiFi access to paying customers. Be sure to ask about it when you place your order (or before if WiFi is a necessity).

Cameron Van writes for Low Fares. Find cheap airline tickets to almost any destination in the wo

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Mobile VoIP Finally Comes of Age - The Pocket Internet Phone

VoIP is proven technology but its greatest challenge is to make the leap from a "technophiles" gadget to a truly consumer orientated "mass" market service.

The advantages are clear - low cost or free telephone calls. But the downsides are just as obvious. Poor quality of earlier technologies such as Skype is well known. But usability issues are the key.

Take a typical scenario - calling for a Pizza delivery. How many consumers users are going to;
1. Go to the PC (often in another part of the home) 2. Turn it on 3. Wait for Windows to load 4. Watch as the latest anti-versus toolkit is downloaded 5. Find the headset 6. Look up the number ...... five minutes have passed and you've forgotten why you want to make the call anyway!!

PC based VoIP is good; but not good enough. Users want instant connectability; a single address book and a service that is mobile. Oh and they want broadband download speeds as well.
So convenience and mobility are critical to the success of VoIP. Don't get me wrong. PC based VoIP will be here for sometime - but the true mass market is going to require a much improved user experience.

WiFi is likely to be the answer. Over 10% of US and UK homes are already WiFi enabled. Almost all broadband packages now come with bundled WiFi routers. A further 15 million homes will be WiFi'd this year. A similar picture is developing across the corporate world. But surprisingly penetration of WiFi is lower than in homes - but rapidly catching up.

WiFi hotspot coverage is also growing with most major cities planning large scale roll-out of free access WiFi.

But WiFi in the home is where the battle will be won or lost. There is a good range of WiFi VoIP handsets coming on to the market. These are the handset that are going to transform the user experience - providing always on internet phone capability in "the pocket". These phones have all the functionality of VoIP plus the all convenience of a mobile – cheap, mobile and always available.

The pocket internet phone concept is being developed by companies such as Mobiboo (http://www.mobiboo.com/ or http://www.tovo.co.uk/.). Cleverly Mobiboo have launched a branded WiFi service through Tesco in the UK. It comes in two “flavours” – WiFi only and dual mode. WiFi only is good basic handset that offers service whenever logged into WiFi. Dual mode is even better – this works as a WiFi phone in WiFi areas and a standard (GSM) mobile when not. Both phones have good battery life; large phonebooks and amazing download speeds – up to 5Mbit/s.

So the scenario above has a very different outcome

1. Take the phone out of your pocket

2. Dial the number.

Now isn't that a so much better way to do it! And the call can be made from anywhere in the home or office. And the local cafe, restaurant, shop or airport! All the convenience of mobile; at the price of VoIP.

www.mobiboo.com

Monday, June 23, 2008

WiFi Spying

Our CIA needs to develop fold out WiFi Spy devices for the field, this will enable them to track international terrorists, hack into Blackberry Type portable devices and monitor computer surfing when an Internet Service Provider cannot be trusted, as in foreign operations. I believe we should hire the Defcon Convention Hackers who were able to receive a signal over 125 miles away without amplification to help us design a system which can easily fit into a small space for easy transport. The previous World Record for an un-amplified WiFi connection was just over 55-miles. To learn more as to how this is done go to this website:

http://www.wifi-shootout.com/

We know that the International Terrorists and insurgents use personal computers and when they travel they use Internet WiFi systems to send and receive and communicate with their cells. If we can track them and pick up their signals this will in fact give us clues to who they are talking with, what they are surfing for and perhaps the potential dates and places of their next targets against humanity. The Internet Hackers as bad as they are, seem to be able to provide us with their down and dirty prototypes and they assure us, underneath it all they are still Patriots at Heart.

http://wifi.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000407052562/

We can design a system based on their prototypes out of light-weight materials. Once this is done we can use NASA technologies for the unfolding of systems, similar to their Mars Lander deployments for fast and easy set-up in the field, thus enabling our CIA in-country assets to quickly deploy and fold-up these units for transport. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Lance Winslow - EzineArticles Expert Author

Wi-Fi Finder

Nowadays wireless network or wifi to be more precise is getting very popular among the users. As a result of its popularity and its demand many wifi hotspots are installed throughout the world. Today these hotspots can be found in offices, shops, school, colleges and many public places. Now people are getting more and more interested to know the locations of these hotspots. Hence the devices used in locating these hotspots are beginning to flood the market.

The devices used to find the hotspots are known as wifi finder. These are the portable devices which can be carried in the pocket or there are various websites in the internet which gives and exhaustive listing of the various locations of hotspots.

The features of wifi finder.

Found in many shapes the portable wifi finder is the last thing anyone would refuse to buy. As obvious from the name, the portable wifi finder can even be carried in pockets or purses. The best thing is yet about to come, within no time the wifi finder helps you track a wifi signal most appropriate for you to get connected to the wifi network in the area with just one click. The wifi finder is available in the markets and can also be purchased from sources such as web sites in the internet like .

Another type of wifi finder exists in the market. These devices can be connected to our system through USB (universal serial bus) ports. This type of device can be said to be dual purpose. In other words it can also be used as wifi adapter. This device also has a LCD screen which displays an access point’s security scheme, the signal strength of the WiFi network available in the area, and the wireless network standard available. Therefore this device can work even if the wireless system to which it is connected is switched off. If it is not available in the local electronics shop it can be purchased from the outlets like Tiger Direct.

Purchasing the wifi finder is not everyone’s first choice. People who are connected to the wifi network at either home or office can get easy access to various websites. It isn’t that difficult as it sound when you have enough time to spare and list out the various places where you would require your wifi device the most. This can be done easily by just typing in the your next location and get all your hotspots for that location listed right in front of you.

This process requires the detailed information about your location including the city or the province or the country or even the postal code. The user who has logged on to these sites can also be asked to give the information regarding the distance between users place and the nearest hotspot point, the user may also be asked to give the details about the type of the destination like a park, a school, a college, a hotel etc. There is also an option for specifying whether user wants free access points or the ones by service providers.

You can also find more info on Wi-Fi Phone and Wi-Fi Security. Topwifireviews.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Wi-Fi Wireless Network Technology.