What is Wireless Networks?

Wireless Networking enables two or more computers to communicate using standard network protocols, but without network cabling. Wireless networking hardware requires the use of  radio frequencies and data transmission technologies.

There are a number of affordable wireless networking solutions; as well as sophisticated applications where network wiring is impossible, such as in warehousing or handheld point-of-sale equipment.  We describe below, without technical jargon, nuts and bolts of wireless networking.  The information is divided into topical questions and answers for your convenience.  Once you get your arms around this information you would appreciate that knowledge, expertise and experience are a  must to create a robust wireless network.

GCS has qualified and certified consultants and technicians who can quickly implement your wireless networking plan from conception to design, installation, maintenance and performance enhancement.  Our prices are very competitive and we take pride that our support service is very comprehensive and quick.  We guarantee our products and services.  Please give us a call to discuss your wireless networking needs.  The first meeting/discussion is free and without obligation.

• An ad-hoc or, peer-to-peer, wireless network that consists of computers each equipped with a wireless networking interface card. Each computer can communicate directly with all of the other wireless enabled computers. They can share files and printers this way, but can access wired LAN resources only when one of the computers is configured, using special software, to acts as a bridge to the wired LAN.
• A wireless network can also use an access point, or base station. In this type of network the access point acts like a hub, providing connectivity for the wireless computers. It can connect (or "bridge") the wireless LAN to a wired LAN, allowing wireless computer access to LAN resources, such as file servers or existing Internet Connectivity. To Topics

• Dedicated hardware access points (HAP) such as Lucent's WaveLAN, Apple's Airport Base Station or WebGear's AviatorPRO.
• Software access points, such as the Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus or Internet Gateway, which run on a computer equipped with a wireless network interface card as used in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer wireless network.

With appropriate networking software support, users on the wireless LAN can share files and printers located on the wired LAN and vice versa.  To Topics

Because most wireless networking hardware vendors support the 802.11 standard they can inter-operate. However, verification is a must because the standard is a fairly recent one, and specifues two different methods for wireless communications: namely, Frequency Hopping (FH) and Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), which are not inter-operable.

When purchasing wireless networking hardware from separate vendors be sure to obtain guarantees from the vendors that the hardware will interoperate and follows the standards.

Within a short time we expect all wireless cards, like Ethernet cards, to become inexpensive and fully inter-operable.

Software access points such as the Internet Gateway and SoftRouter Plus which use the wireless interface of the host computer should have no compatibility issues with third party wireless hardware, as long as standards are followed. Typically, wireless hardware is identified to the software as a network interface, and therefore can be used in the same way as any other network card.  To Topics

To do this you will need bridging between the wireless and wired network. This can be accomplished either with a hardware access point or a software access point. Hardware access points have an Ethernet interface that enables the wireless network to communicate with a wired Ethernet network. 

If networking requirements go beyond just interconnecting an Ethernet network to a small wireless network, a software access point may be the best solution. A software access point does not limit the type or number of network interfaces you use. It may also allow considerable flexibility in providing access to different network types, such as different types of Ethernet, Wireless and Token Ring networks. Such connections are only limited by the number of slots or interfaces in the computer used for this task.

Further to this the software access point may include significant additional features such as shared Internet access, web caching or content filtering, providing significant benefits to users and administrators.  To Topics

Each access point has a finite range within which a wireless connection can be maintained between the client computer and the access point. The actual distance varies depending upon the environment.  Manufacturers state both indoor and outdoor ranges to give a reasonable indication of reliable performance. Also, it should be noted that when operating at the limits of range the performance may drop, as the quality of connection deteriorates and the system compensates. Typical indoor ranges are 150-300 feet, but can be shorter if the building construction interferes with radio transmissions. Longer ranges are possible, but performance will degrade with distance.

Outdoor ranges are quoted up to 1000 feet, but again this depends upon the environment. There are ways to extend the basic operating range of Wireless communications, by using more than a single access point or using a wireless relay /extension point.  To Topics

This depends upon the manufacturer. Some hardware access points have a recommended limit of 10, while more expensive access points supporting up to 100 wireless connections. Using more computers than recommended will cause performance and reliability to suffer.

Software access points may also impose user limitations, but this depends upon the specific software, and the host computer's ability to process the required information.  To Topics

Yes, multiple access points can be connected to a wired LAN, or sometimes even to a second wireless LAN if the access point supports this. In most cases, separate access points are interconnected via a wired LAN, providing wireless connectivity in specific areas such as offices or classrooms, but connected to a main wired LAN for access to network resources, such as file servers.

If a single area is too large to be covered by a single access point, then multiple access points or extension points can be used. When using multiple access points, each access point wireless area should overlap its neighbors. This provides a seamless area for users to move around in using a feature called "roaming".

Some manufacturers produce extension points, which act as wireless relays, extending the range of a single access point. Multiple extension points can be strung together to provide wireless access to far away locations from the central access point.  To Topics

A wireless computer can "roam" from one access point to another, with the software and hardware maintaining a steady network connection by monitoring the signal strength from in-range access points and locking on to the one with the best quality. Roaming is not always supported by access points, and may only be available in specific configurations.

Usually this is completely transparent to the user; they are not aware that a different access point is being used from area to area. Some access point configurations require security authentication when swapping access points, usually in the form of a password dialog box.  To Topics

Yes. Wireless networking offers a cost-effective solution to users with difficult physical installations such as campuses, hospitals or businesses with more than one location in immediate proximity but separated by public thoroughfare. This type of installation requires two access points. Each access point acts as a bridge or router connecting its own LAN to the wireless connection. The wireless connection allows the two access points to communicate with each other, and therefore interconnect the two LAN's.  To Topics

Although wireless networking offers obvious benefits to users of laptops who move from location to location throughout the day, there are benefits for users of fixed position computers as well:

Many schools and businesses have unsuitable building layouts or walls that cannot be wired for various reasons making it difficult or impossible to build a wired network. Wireless networking in these environments is a very cost effective alternative also providing future flexibility.

In cases where a small number of computers are separated from a main network a wireless link may be more cost effective than network cabling although the latter is perfectly feasible.

Temporary wireless LANs can easily be created for exhibitions, school or business projects, all without any trailing cabling.  To Topics

Once you realize that wireless cards are analogous to Ethernet cards and that empty space is analogous to Ethernet cabling, the answer to this question becomes clear. To share an Internet connection across a LAN you need two things:

• an Internet sharing hardware device or software program
• a LAN

If your LAN is wireless, the same criteria apply. You need a hardware or software access point and a wireless LAN. Any computer equipped with a wireless network card running suitable Internet Sharing software can be used as a software access point.  A number of vendors offer hardware access points. A hardware access point may provide Internet Sharing capabilities to Wired LAN computers, but does not usually provide much flexibility beyond very simple configurations.

If an access point provides some form of Internet sharing itself, then having multiple such access points connected to a wired LAN may require some special configuration, or possibly may require an additional Internet sharing device or software program.  To Topics

No. If you use a wireless network to connect to the Internet, the wireless part only concerns your LAN. The communications link from your LAN to your Internet service provider (ISP) would be identical whether or not you had a wireless network.   To Topics