| Wireless Networking, Part 1: Capabilities and | | | | 10 Mbps or less, it can be seen that even 802.11b |
| Hardware | | | | would be more than adequate if you just want to |
| These days it isn't uncommon for a home to | | | | surf the web. Sharing files on your LAN (Local |
| have multiple personal computers, and as such, it | | | | Area Network) is where the faster protocols will |
| just makes sense for them to be able to share | | | | really make a difference, and comparing the |
| files, as well as to share one Internet connection. | | | | prices of 802.11b and 802.11g components may |
| Wired networking is an option, but it is one that | | | | show that there is little to no difference in |
| may require the installation and management of a | | | | selecting a "g" capable device over a comparable |
| great deal of wiring in order to get even a | | | | "b" capable device. |
| modestly sized home set up. With wireless | | | | Hardware |
| networking equipment becoming extremely | | | | Access Point - Wireless Access Point (WAP) is |
| affordable and easy to install, it may be worth | | | | the central device that manages the transmission |
| considering by those looking to build a home | | | | of wireless signals on a network. A base access |
| network, as well as by those looking to expand | | | | point may be capable of handling up to 10 |
| on an existing wired network. | | | | connections, and more robust APs may be able |
| The first installment in this two-part series of | | | | to manage up to 255 connections simultaneously. |
| Tech Tips will provide an introduction to the basic | | | | The D-Link DWL-1000AP+ ( is an example of a |
| capabilities and hardware involved in wireless | | | | wireless access point capable of 802.11b |
| networking. Once that foundation has been | | | | transmissions. |
| established, we'll take a look at a few setup and | | | | Router - In somewhat technical terms, a router is |
| security related considerations that should be | | | | a network device that forwards data packets. It |
| addressed once the physical installation is | | | | is generally the connection between at least two |
| complete. | | | | networks, such as two LANs, or a LAN and ISP's |
| Capabilities | | | | (Internet Service Provider's) network. For our |
| The basic standard that covers wireless | | | | purposes, and for the sake of simplicity, a |
| networking is the Institute for Electrical and | | | | wireless router is basically an access point with |
| Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11, which is close | | | | the added feature of having a port for sharing a |
| kin to the wired Ethernet standard, 802.3. Many | | | | broadband Internet connection. The D-Link AirPlus |
| people will recognize 802.11 more readily when | | | | G ( is an 802.11g capable router that provides |
| accompanied by one of three suffixes (a, b, or g), | | | | access for numerous wireless connections and |
| used to specify the exact protocol of wireless | | | | four hard-wired connections to one WAN (Wide |
| networking. | | | | Area Network Internet) connection. A typical |
| The 802.11a protocol first hit the scene in 2001, | | | | router for home use will generally cost less than |
| and despite a small surge in recent popularity, it is | | | | an access point, and via settings within the |
| definitely the least common of the three at this | | | | firmware, can be used as just an access point |
| time. The signals are transmitted on a 5 GHz radio | | | | anyway. Wired or wireless, all the computers using |
| frequency, while "b" and "g" travel on 2.4 GHz. | | | | the router can share files over the network, as |
| The higher frequency means that the signal can | | | | well as sharing a broadband internet connection. |
| travel less distance in free space and has a harder | | | | Communication between wireless computers (or a |
| time penetrating walls, thus making the practical | | | | wireless computer and a wired computer) will |
| application of an 802.11a network a bit limited. The | | | | max out at 54 Mbps, while communication |
| maximum transfer rate, however, is roughly 54 | | | | between wired computers will take full advantage |
| Mbps, so it makes up for its limited range with | | | | of the 100 Mbps provided via the 802.3 protocol. |
| respectable speed. | | | | Network Adaptor - A network adaptor is required |
| As mentioned, 802.11b and 802.11g networks | | | | for every computer that you would like to be |
| operate on a 2.4 GHz radio band, which gives a | | | | connected to the wireless network. Many laptops, |
| much greater range as compared to 802.11a. One | | | | such as this Sony Centrino 1.5 GHz ( now include |
| downside to being on the 2.4 GHz band is that | | | | a wireless adaptor built in, so no extra hardware |
| many devices share it, and interference is bound | | | | is needed. For those with systems that don't |
| to be an issue. Cordless phones and Bluetooth | | | | have wireless capabilities built in, adding them is |
| devices are two of many items that operate at | | | | fairly simple, and can be done using a variety of |
| this frequency. The range of these two protocols | | | | connections. Desktop computers can go wireless |
| is about 300 feet in free air, and the difference | | | | by adding a PCI slot network adaptor such as the |
| between the two comes down to speed. 802.11b | | | | 802.11g capable D-Link DWL-G510 ( Notebook |
| came first, released back in 1999, and offers | | | | users can easily add wireless connectivity by using |
| speeds up to 11 Mbps. 802.11g first appeared in | | | | a PCMCIA adaptor, such as this 802.11g capable |
| 2002 and it is a backwards compatible | | | | device ( And for truly convenient plug-n-play |
| improvement over 802.11b and offers speeds up | | | | connectivity to wireless networks, USB adaptors |
| to 54 Mbps. | | | | such as this 802.11g capable dongle ( are available. |
| On top of these protocols, some manufacturers | | | | Antenna/Extender - These items are not |
| have improved upon the 802.11g standard and | | | | essential, but given the specifics of a wireless |
| can provide speeds of up to 108 Mbps. This | | | | environment, they may be helpful. Devices such |
| doesn't involve a separate protocol, but just a bit | | | | as the Hawking Hi-Gain Antenna ( or the Super |
| of tweaking in areas like better data compression, | | | | Cantenna ( serve the purpose of increasing the |
| more efficient data packet bursting, and by using | | | | wireless signal strength, and therefore extend the |
| two radio channels simultaneously. Typically, stock | | | | range of a given wireless network. Not only can a |
| 802.11g equipment is not capable of these speeds, | | | | large area of open space be covered, but the |
| and those interested need to shop for matched | | | | signal quality may be improved in structures with |
| components that specify 108 Mbps support. I say | | | | walls and floors that obstruct the signal |
| "matched components" as this is not a standard | | | | transmission. |
| protocol and the various manufacturers may take | | | | Final Words |
| different approaches to achieving these speeds. In | | | | In this Tech Tip, we took a look at the basics of |
| order to ensure the best results when trying to | | | | wireless networking as it relates to capabilities and |
| achieve these elevated speeds, components from | | | | hardware. In the second part of this two-part |
| the same manufacturer should be used together. | | | | series, we will look at some of the basic setup |
| For instance, only Netgear brand network | | | | and security considerations that should be |
| adaptors rated for 108 Mbps data transfer should | | | | addressed. The physical installation of a wireless |
| be used with something like the Netgear WG624 | | | | network may be exponentially easier than a wired |
| wireless router ( | | | | network, but the more difficult part is setting up |
| Considering your typical broadband Internet | | | | the software and security to make sure |
| connection is going to offer data transfer rates of | | | | everything stays up and running without incident. |