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Wireless
Router Networking Guide
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The Dawn of the Wireless Internet Renaissance It's Time to Go
Wireless!
Although we're constantly hearing about the miracle
of Wireless Router technology, we're merely at the dawn of the
Wireless Access Renaissance. From Auckland New Zealand to Mt.
Everest, Internet cafes and other Wireless Internet hot spots dot
our increasingly interconnected globe (yes, there really
is an Internet Café at a Mt. Everest base camp), but
the best and most ingenious use of this breakthrough
innovation is yet to come. For now, the Wireless
Internet gold
standard is 802.11g - - the newest, fastest and most
powerful 802.11 radio technology that broadens
bandwidths to 54/108 Mbps within the 2.4 GHz band.
Because of backward compatibility, older and slower
802.11b radio cards can interface directly with an
802.11g access point and vice versa at 11Mbps or lower,
depending upon range.
We've come a long way, baby - just in the past couple
of months. That's how rapidly the wireless net that will
someday encompass the entire globe is morphing. Much
quicker than we write these words, technicians are
gleaning new ideas that will revolutionize the way we
communicate. From Marconi (the inventor of wireless
communication back in the late 19th Century) to 802.11g
- the sky is not the limit for how far we will take the
wireless renaissance - it was merely a suggestion that
we rejected long ago.
Rating
the 802.11 Wireless Router Standards
In 1997, when the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) created the first WLAN
standard they called it 802.11. Because it could only
support a maximum bandwidth of 2Mbps - far too slow for
most of today's applications - ordinary 802.11 Wireless Router
products are no longer being manufactured. The next Wireless Router
incarnation was 802.11b, which supports
bandwidths of up to 11Mbps, followed by the creation of
802.11g, which supports bandwidth up to 54/108 Mbps and
signals in a regulated 5 GHz range. While 802.11g is the
fastest Wireless Router technology, is it the best for your
home or business? Here is a brief synopsis of the three
primary 802.11 standards:
Note: We at NCW-Online have finally got around
to installing an 802.11G (108 Mbps) Wireless Router system. I
am truly astounded at its capabilities. I have achieved
internet download speeds of 12 Mbps with an old 700 Mhz
laptop in my office and a claimed network connect speed
of 108 Mbps. Equipment used is D-Link
DI-624 RE High Speed 2.4 GHz 802.11g access point
and D-Link
DWL G650 RE PCMCIA card
- 1. 802.11b - This technology supports bandwidth up
to 11MBps, which is comparable to the speeds of
traditional Ethernets. 802.11b uses the same 2.4GHz
radio signaling as the original 802.11 standard.
Because it is an unregulated frequency, 802.11b
devices run the risk of incurring interference from
appliances that use the same 2.4 GHz range, such as
microwaves and cordless phones. However, if you
install 802.11b devices out of range of other
appliances, you can avoid the interference. Some
manufacturers prefer using unregulated frequencies,
such as 802.11b to lower their production costs. On
the negative side, 802.11b is relatively slow and
supports fewer simultaneous users.
- 802.11a - IEEE created 802.11a at the same time it
made 802.11b. 802.11a supports bandwidth up to 54
Mbps and signals in a regulated 5 GHz range. This
higher frequency limits the range of 802.11a in
comparison to 802.11b, and due to its higher cost
it's used primarily in the business sector rather
than in homes. 802.11a's higher frequency also
causes its signals to have difficulty penetrating
walls and other obstructions. Because they utilize
different frequencies, 802.11a and 802.11b devices
are incompatible with each other.
- 802.11g - This technology supports of up to 54/108
Mbps, uses the 2.4 GHz frequency and is backwards
compatible with 802.11b devices. 802.11g supports
more simultaneous users, offers the best signal
range and is not easily obstructed. The
disadvantages of 802.11g is higher cost and possible
interference with appliances on the unregulated
signal frequency.
The Evolution of 802.11 Wireless Router Technology
1997 - 802.11 - 2 MBps
1999 - 802.11a - 54 Mbps in regulated 5 GHz range. Pro:
Fast access. Con: Limited range
1999- 802.11b - 11Mbps in 2.4 GHz range
2002 - 802.11g - 54/108 Mbps in 2.4Ghz range and is
backwards compatible with 802.11b, meaning that 802.11g
access points will work with 802.11b Wireless Router network
adapters and vice versa. Pro: Faster access and
backwards compatibility. Con: Higher cost than 802.11b.
Why
Connect?
According to International Data Corp. (IDC), about half
of all U.S. households have a computer, and a much
higher percentage of businesses use PCs. Tens of
millions of these homes and businesses have more than
one computer one. In fact, market research shows that
current PC owners buy most of the new computers. This
means that multi-computer households are becoming
increasingly more common. If you are one these
multiple-PC owners, you have probably thought about how
great it would be if your computers could talk to each
other. With your computers connected, you could:
- Share a single printer between computers
- Share a single Internet connection
- Share files such as images, spreadsheets and
documents
- Play games that allow multiple users at different
computers
Here are the advantages of Wireless Router networking:
It's fast (11 - 108Mbps).
It's reliable.
It has a long range (5,000 feet in open areas, 250 to
400 ft / 76 to 122 m in closed areas)
It's easily integrated into existing wired-Ethernet
networks.
Virtually all 802.11g Wireless Router networking products work
with each other no matter what brand or model. Wireless Router
offers Ethernet speeds without the wires. Access points
vary greatly in cost, from about $59.99 to $1,400.
Access points have an integrated Ethernet connection to
connect to an existing wired-Ethernet network or routers
provide connectivity to a high-speed data connection
(DSL or cable modem). It also has an omni-directional
antenna to receive the data transmitted by the Wireless Router
transceivers. Integrating PCs and Apple systems on the
same network is also possible with the 802.11g standard.
The majority of Wireless Internet network adapters used are in
PCMCIA card form. But some manufacturers do offer USB
adapters or PCI format cards. The cost per card ranges
from $39 to more than $300. They are not typically sold
in "do-it-yourself" kits. Instead, everything
is a la carte, allowing customers to build a system that
exactly meets their needs.
For
businesses, the benefits of Wireless Internet technology are
dramatic; we are not using hyperbole when we assure you
that it will revolutionize your company. A Wireless Internet
infrastructure makes it easier for you to adapt your
office space as your company evolves. And the
productivity gains you will reap dwarf the relatively
inexpensive cost of setting up a Wireless Router based local area
network (LAN). Here are the primary benefits your
business will receive by going with a Wireless Router system:
- Reduced Installation Costs - It can be less
expensive to install Wireless Router access points than
wiring your office with Ethernet capabilities. Plus,
you will not have to knock many holes in walls to
set up your network.
- Flexibility - If your company is growing
rapidly and you need to constantly reorganize your
space to accommodate ever-changing networking
configurations, Wireless Router based networking provides rapid
transition times, reduced down time and will not
cost you as much as you would have to pay to rewire
your office space. By setting up a network, you will
be able to easily share devices, programs and
technology with multiple computers. You can share
peripheral devices, programs and technology to
streamline your business and make it much more
efficient.
- Convenient Information Access and Increased
Productivity - Wireless Router based systems delivers information
access to anyone on your staff, from anywhere in
your office. Most offices that have made the
transition from wired networks to Wireless Router based
systems
have experienced remarkable increases in
productivity.
It's Not as Complicated as You Think!
Most people think that networking your home or small
office can be painful, with lots of wires, connections
and other challenges. Plus, you have to make everything
talk to each another. Don't fret, because it's not as
much of a challenge as you might think. With most people
using Microsoft Windows operating systems, networking
has been built-in since Windows 3.11. Introduced in
Windows 98, "Internet Connection Sharing" is a
standard part of the operating system, allowing one
computer to share an Internet connection with all
computers on the home network. So, if you are running
Windows, you can share files, printers and resources
across your network without too much of a hassle.
Following are 3 easy steps that will allow even a novice
to setup a Wireless Router based network.
Wireless Router based Networking Made Simple
3 Easy Set Up Steps Even the Novice Can Master
1. Plan Your System - Before you dive into the
Wireless internet world, make sure you know what lies ahead of
you. Make a thorough analysis of your networking needs,
what you need to accomplish, and what you expect to
receive as a reasonable return on your investment.
Assess your networking needs; determine how many
workstations you'll need to connect and where you can
best utilize them. Also, take an inventory of what
upgrades you will have to make to your existing computer
equipment and decide what equipment you will need to
purchase. These are the types of devices required for
your Wireless Router based network:
- Wireless Router based
Access Point
- This is the "controller" of your Wireless Router based
network. There are two types of access
points - hardware access points and
"integrated" access points. Hardware
access points are used as an extension of an
existing wired network. "Integrated"
access points also provide the features of a router,
and are connected to a high-speed connection (i.e.:
DSL or cable modem. Access points generally can
serve at least 50 users, so exceeding the connection
limits is rarely an issue. Remember that when you
are networking, your connection is shared with all
active users. Having an 11, 22, 72, 108 Mbps network
connection does not make your Internet connection
"faster," however, it will allow faster
data transmission between the users on the same Wireless Internet
network. So, if you are planning on copying
a bunch of files from your bedroom computer to the
living room computer, or watching a video you
recorded in your living room on your bedroom
computer, the data transfer speed is great. While
surfing the Internet, you may see a decrease in
access speed to the Internet if your son is
downloading MP3s in his bedroom and you are trying
to watch an online video. Your Wireless Internet connection
speed will vary based upon your location (i.e. out
by the pool vs. across the room from the access
point), however proper placement of your access
point can assist in providing the best service to
all areas you intend on using a Wireless Router based
connection.
We carry a wide-range of Wireless Routers and access points,
including some which combine a multi-port wired hub
so you can utilize one device for both your wired
and Wireless Router based connections.
- PCMCIA Wireless Adapter
- This is generally used for laptops. A PCMCIA card
simply plugs into your notebook PC Card slot, and
after configuration with the software provided with
the card, will connect to any detected network. Some
access points allow for configuration of security so
only "allowed" cards are provided access.
This will alleviate any problems if your neighbor
decides to ride on your Internet service for free
once they see you using the Internet out by your
pool. Desktop PCs can also be connected to a Wireless Router based
network by using an inexpensive PCMCIA-to-PCI
adapter, which allow for fast, easy connection of a
desktop PC through the use of an internal adapter
card that the PCMCIA card slides into.
- Compact Flash Wireless
Network Adapters - If you have a handheld
device, which includes a CF Type II slot, you can
connect it to your Wireless Router based network using a Compact
Flash Wireless Network adapter.
- USB Wireless Adapter -Great
for use with desktop PCs, a USB wireless adapter
allows you to
connect your system to the Wireless Router based network without
installing any adapter cards or opening your PC
whatsoever. These are a convenient and easy way to
add wireless networking to an existing PC in your
home. Additionally, based on user feedback, an
external USB device has better reception than an
internal PCMCIA card in the back of your computer,
as you can move it around for the best reception.
- "Wired" And
"Wireless" Together - "You can
actually build a network comprised of Integrated
access points, for both wired and Wireless Router based
connections. Why would you want this? Well, let's
say that you have the ability to run wire for the
systems in your home. The cost is less per computer
(an Ethernet NIC runs about $10.00 and the cable
anywhere from $5-10) and you may have them easily
accessible via cable. There are many mixed-mode
devices, or "Gateways" available. For our
full selection of Integrated Access Points. This
device allows you to connect to a high-speed
Internet connection (via the WAN port) and up to
three wired devices (on the Ethernet ports) and up
to 253 devices via the wireless access point built
into the unit. This allows you to have standard
desktops connecting with roaming notebooks and other
devices where wiring is just not possible.
In summary, if you want to run a network in your
home or office, it really isn't that tough! Pick the
right parts to your network "puzzle" and
get the best deal available. They'll work together
and you'll make better use of ALL your resources
2.
Setting Up Your System - Now that you have a plan
in place that defines exactly what your equipment needs
will be, how you will configure your network and what
goals you expect to accomplish with Wireless Router based
technology,
it's time to set up your network. Before you take this
step (don't worry, it's much easier than it seems), you
must develop a good working understanding of the
equipment involved in a Wireless Router based network. Wireless LAN
equipment consists of wireless clients - the notebook
computers, printers or handheld devices that can
communicate over a wireless LAN - and access points,
which are the points that accept the wireless radio
signals and then connect the LANs. Your access point is
the central communications point for your computers.
Now it's time to build the wireless LAN! Again, don't
panic - you will be amazed how simple it is. Here is
what you have to do:
- Determine how many people will use your network;
this will tell you how many access points you will
need.
- Choose a central location for your LAN connection.
If possible, this should be in an open environment
to maximize your wireless range. Walls, cables,
pipe, etc. within your existing environment can
compromise your range.
- Configure your Wireless Router based network to work with your
wired network.
- Test your installation before going live. With
link test software you can find out what percent of
your data is being sent correctly, how much time it
takes to receive a response from the destination
device, how the strength of the transmitted signal.
- Establish a protocol for managing your Wireless Router based
LAN.
3. Implement security measures to protect the
integrity of your Wireless Router based network - Remember,
Wireless Router based data transmit through the air rather than over
a closed cable. Therefore, maintaining security over
your system requires measures that are specific to Wireless
networks. Wireless Network security solutions include Media
Access Control (MAC), WEP encryption and Traditional VPN
(Virtual Private Network) securities controls. Following
are brief summaries of these solutions:
- MAC - Media Access Control restricts network
access by unauthorized devices by assigning each
network card a unique hardware identification
number.
- WEP Encryption - A software algorithm that
scrambles outgoing data and unscrambles it when it
is received, maintaining its integrity while en
route.
- Traditional VPN (Virtual Private Network) security
controls - Allows users outside your system to gain
access to your network. VPNs encrypt data prior to
transmission over a Wireless Network link, ensuring data
security even if it is intercepted. VPNs are
particularly critical when you are using a public
hot spot.
Three simple steps - that's all it takes to join the Wireless
Internet revolution - along with a relatively small
investment in new technology that you will recoup many
times with your exponentially improved efficiency and
streamlined operation. We have the expertise,
incomparable product line and unparalleled pricing to
help you become experience all the advantages of
benefits of Wireless Network technology.
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Wireless Terms:
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Belkin wireless router
D-Link Wireless Router
Linksys Wireless Router
Netgear Wireless Router
Fixed wireless internet
Notebook wireless
Cisco wireless card
Setup wireless Network
Broadband wireless access
Belkin wireless router
Netgear wireless
SMC wireless router
Wireless Router
Wireless Routers
Wireless Network
Wireless LAN
Wireless LANs
Wireless Hot Spot
wireless connection
wireless point
wireless internet
wireless network card
wireless card
wireless network
wireless access point
wireless computers
wireless networking kit
wireless ethernet
wireless bridge
wireless mini pci card
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Wenatchee
local
area business line 663-1124
Ephrata, Moses lake, Soap lake - Dial up service only -
Local line 663-1124
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