Who Can Use Wi -Fi?

Everyone can use Wi-Fi, almost everywhere in the world.

Home Wi-Fi networks can connect multiple computers to each other, to peripherals, and to the Internet. A Wi-Fi network can connect a family's computers together to share such hardware and software resources as printers and the Internet. That means everyone in the family can share stored files, photos and documents and print them out on a single printer attached to one desktop computer-all without unsightly cables running throughout the home.

In a home or home office, using Wi-Fi CERTIFIED equipment in your wireless network gives you the ability to share a single high-speed broadband cable or DSL connection. A Wi-Fi network can easily be expanded to ten users or more.

It also gives you assurance that the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED equipment you purchase today will work with the equipment you add to your network in the future.

How Does Wi-Fi Compare to Other Networking Methods?

No other networking technology used to set up a small home or SOHO network provides the convenience or mobility of a Wi-Fi network. That's because other methods, including standard wired Ethernet networks and phone line- and power line-based networks, all require a connection via wire or cable. Wi-Fi uses radio waves that travel through walls and floors and connect you anywhere, indoors or out.

Networks based on phone lines, also called HomePNA , must have a phone jack close to the computer or peripheral that is to be networked with the rest of your system. Unfortunately, most homes have only two or three phone outlets - or even just one! - and these outlets may not be where you want to put your computer, printer or other device. You may have problems with this type of network based on the quality of your phone line installation and especially if you have numerous phone devices plugged into each wall jack.

Networks based on power lines, also called HomePlug , have location problems, too. Of course, there are many more power outlets in a home than there are phone plugs, but power plugs may not be where you need them when you need them, especially outdoors.

Power line networks are often more expensive than Wi-Fi based equipment. Power line networks can experience interference from transformers, large appliances, power strips, surge protectors and even common "wall warts" (DV power supplies). In addition, apartments and condominiums that share power lines may also inadvertently share access to confidential files and information on the computers that are attached to the power line network - even if users think they've established tight security protections

Neither power line - nor phone line-based networks provide true mobility or portability.

These technologies don't allow you to just pick up your laptop or PDA and go anywhere in your home or small office and begin working or continue working in another location without losing contact with your network. Working outside on your patio or next to the pool is impossibility. And since power-line - and phone line-based networks aren't available at " Hotspots " (e.g., airports , hotels and cafes ), localized access networks or at the office, they can't be used when traveling or working in a corporate office.

do I use my Wi-Fi laptop when I am traveling?

Just find a Wi-Fi network to which you can connect. These networks are becoming common in cities and towns worldwide - Internet cafes and coffee shops are popping up everywhere! - as well as in public areas like airports, hotels and convention centers or anywhere people gather. Some wireless Hotspot networks require you to manually configure your access connection; others work with your Wi-Fi radio to automatically log on. In addition, many large businesses and universities are providing wireless access to visitors and guests at their locations.

Is a Wired, Wireless or Wireless/Wired Network Best For You?

If you are using mostly desktop computers, a wired network may work fine. However, for mobility, modifications and growth (especially if you are running a small business), Wi-Fi provides the best answer because it enables you to move the computers anywhere in the building where they can connect to the wireless network. If you or your company moves to a new location, you don't need to leave your cables, cable drops and other network investments behind. The entire wireless network comes with you and takes only moments to set up in a new location.

Obviously if you are using laptop computers and/or other kinds of mobile computing devices, Wi-Fi is the only answer for both home and business.

If you already have a functioning wired network, it's easy to just keep it in place and add wireless components to extend your network's reach and give users more flexibility and convenience. Many home and SOHO access points and gateways allow you to easily connect to both wired and wireless equipment through their installed Ethernet ports.

Corporations frequently extend their wired networks with Wi-Fi networks. They connect wireless access points to their network backbone to provide Internet and network access in meeting rooms, lobbies, cafeterias and other common areas.

Companies also add wireless access points in their general office space to make it easy for staff to meet informally. For example, someone from marketing can carry his or her laptop to the sales manager's office two floors up and, via the wireless network there, make a presentation on the spot using their laptop. When employees are mobile, as in a large warehouse or shipping center, Wi-Fi networks can easily cover the entire area: staff can operate anywhere in the building, not just at predetermined desktops and workstations.

Extending Your Current Network with a Wi-Fi LAN

It's easy to add another wireless computer to a Wi-Fi network. There's no need to purchase or lay more cable or find an available Ethernet port on your hub or router. Just plug in your card or USB connection, turn on your computer and you're surfing the Net.

If your business grows and you need to move, you don't have to abandon your network infrastructure investment or hire a networking company to rewire the new location. And there's no network downtime-you can be up and running even before the furniture arrives. Simply plug the system into a power outlet and you'll be operational in minutes.

How do I hook up a network using computers with different operating systems?

Most Wi-Fi networks will work with a wide range of Windows operating systems including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows CE. Some Wi-Fi systems will also work with Apple Macintosh, Linux, and other operating systems. Check the data sheets and manufacturer specifications. However, once you have your Wi-Fi CERTIFIED network up and running, it should be able to talk to and exchange files with other Wi-Fi networks.

How do I add Wi-Fi to my desktop computer?

You can use either an external adapter like a USB Wi-Fi adapter or an internal Wi-Fi card. An external USB radio plugs into your desktop computer's USB jack. To use an internal solution, you need to open up your desktop computer and insert a Wi-Fi card in either a PCI bus slot or an ISA bus slot.

Can I use Wi-Fi with my Apple Macintosh?

Yes. You have two options. Most new Macintosh Power PCs, G3s and G4s have a slot for an Apple AirPort Wi-Fi module. If you didn't order it when you bought your Apple computer, you can still buy the module and put it in yourself - installation is very simple. If you have an older Mac laptop with a PC Card slot, you can choose from among several different manufacturers who make Apple-compliant PC Card radios. USB adapters for Apple are also available.

Once you have the correct PC Card radio or Apple AirPort installed, you need a gateway or access point to talk to. You can use the "official" Apple AirPort access point, or you can use any other Wi-Fi access point on the market. As long as it is Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, it will talk to your Apple Wi-Fi radios.

Many access points and gateways now use a web-based setup routine. That means as long as you have an Internet browser on your computer, you can set up the access point.

Once set up and configured, a network consisting of combined Apple and Windows computers and access points will work together. Of course, unless you are running an emulator program, you won't be able to run Windows programs on your Apple computer and vice versa. However, your Wi-Fi network devices will talk to each other and enable you to share an Internet connection and transfer files among the various computers.

How do I make my wireless network secure?

Wireless security is important, and Wi-Fi wireless networks can enable WPAT, a sophisticated encryption technology that protects data flowing between Wi-Fi radios and access points. Make sure you enable it on your network. Some Wi-Fi CERTIFIED access points or gateways also provide access control function to restrict access to your Wi-Fi network.

What is the range of a wireless network?

Range varies in a Wi-Fi network depending on the type of Wi-Fi radio you have, whether or not you use special antennas, and whether your network is in an open environment or in a building with lots of walls and furniture. The composition of your walls and floors can also have a major impact. Wi-Fi is a very low powered radio signal and does not penetrate metal, water or other dense materials.

The Wi-Fi Alliance does not measure or compare different products and their range. However, it has found that a Wi-Fi network generally provides a range of about 75 to 150 feet in a typical home or office. In an open environment like an empty warehouse or outdoors, a Wi-Fi network may provide a range of up to 1,000 feet or more. With the right antennas and optimal placement, a range of up to a mile is possible.

With Wi-Fi technology (802.11b or 802.11a), a "gradual degradation" in range occurs. This means that, instead of stopping all together, your data transmission rate just becomes slower as you move farther away from the access point. For example, with Wi-Fi 802.11b technology, within 100 feet of the access point, the Wi-Fi radio in your laptop computer will get about 11 Mbps data rate. As you move farther away, that rate will drop down to 5.5 Mbps, then to 2 Mbps and finally to 1 Mbps. Considering that many DSL and cable Internet connections are less than 1 Mbps, this connection speed is still very good.

Will my microwave oven or cordless phone interfere with my Wi-Fi network?

Microwave ovens and many cordless phones operate in the 2.4 GHz spectrum, the same radio spectrum used by 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless networks. That means they can cause interference - but in most instances this will just slow down the Wi-Fi connection; it won't stop transmission or break the connection.

To reduce interference, you can move a 2.4 GHz cordless phone away from your Wi-Fi equipped computer or base station. Interference usually only happens with older microwave ovens. You can also try changing the channel on which your Wi-Fi network operates. In addition, some manufacturers have developed and implemented special technologies that can minimize interference from cordless phones and ovens.