Strengths and Weaknesses of Wireless Networking - Essay Example

?Strengths and Weaknesses of Wireless Networking By Table of Contents Introduction Computer is a wonderful machine which is used inevery field of life to perform different kind of tasks. At the present, almost all the organizations use computers to perform their business operations and daily tasks. When the number of users increases they also need to increase number of computers. In many cases, organizations need to process a large amount of data entered by different users simultaneously. In this scenario, the implementation of a network becomes essential. A network is a set of computers connected with each other to share data and other resources (i.e. peripherals like printer). In addition, numerous tools and techniques are available to establish a network. These days the trend of wireless networking is emerging quickly. In a wireless network, computers are connected without using wires (through air or waves) (Nash, 2000; Turban et al., 2005). This paper presents a detailed analysis of wireless networking technology. This research will outline advantages and disadvantages of wireless networking. Computer Networks: An Overview The importance of computer networks is increasing day-by-day. At the present, there are a large number of modern network technologies available which offer an excellent support for businesses as well as individuals to communicate and collaborate with each other. Like other technologies computers networks are also classified into different categories. Normally, we classify them on the basis of geographical area. Different classes of computer networks are outlined below: Local Area Networks (LANs) This category of networks is very commonly used in our business and corporate areas. Usually, the local area network (LAN) is small and limited areas network that offer a greater capability to share resource and information on the network. LAN (local area network) is a type of network which is established for short geographical distance. This distance could be between homes or offices. Normally, this capacity is usable for short distance users (Mitchell, 2012). Wide area networks WAN is considerably bigger as compared to LAN. This technology based network system makes use of small LAN network to build a large network. This network is used by some large organizations, universities or multinational corporations. Usually wide area networks (WANs) are used to connected computers located in distant locations. These locations can be among cities, states, countries or among far geographical locations. In addition, this kind of network is established using internet (Mitchell, 2012). Network Designs The network technology varies in a number of ways. The implementation of a network heavily depends on its design. For this purpose, we have different network topologies, which can be used to design a network. The basic purpose of this design is to shown how systems will work and interact in physical arrangements. However, they are based on two major designs. One design is known as client server design while other is known as peer to peer design. Peer to peer design is the traditional telephone lines with dedicated links and communication arrangements. It is a network architecture, in which computers on the network have equal status and no one has control over others. Additionally, in such kind of network arrangement, each computer is called peer and each peer can act as both a server and client simultaneously. In simple words, in peer-to-peer network, none of the computers can have control over other computers. In addition, a any computer in a network can share devices (i.e. printer) or resources of other computers. For example, a printer connected with a computer can be used by other computers connected in a network. Figure 1Peer-to-Peer Network, Image Source: http://www.doubleeagleservicesinc.com/images/graphics/peertopeer.gif On the other hand, client-server is a network design scheme in which one of more computers act as servers and remaining act as client computers. In this scenario, a server is a powerful computer. It is responsible for controlling and providing a centralized storage area for data and software. Moreover, it as well processes the requests sent by client computers and handles other resources in the network (Nash, 2000; Turban et al., 2005). Figure 2Client Server Design, Image Source: http://www.sensible-computer-help.com/images/clientnetwork.jpg Wireless Networking: A Brief Overview The present age is age of technology. Nowadays each technology based system is going towards wire-less. At the present, all the technologies are taking the people away from traditional computing. This was only possible through wireless technology based systems. In this technological era wireless networking has become so popular all through the world. It is an admitted fact that this innovative technology has been adopted and recognized at international level. In fact, a wireless network is purely based on radio waves or microwaves. These high speed waves enable and manage communication channels among computers. Before the emergence of this technological aspect, wired technology (that was purely based on fiber optics and copper) has been used for the creation of computer networks. It accomplished through cable link among network devices. Hence, we can say that wireless networking is a modern substitute to traditional networking. This innovative technology offers a lot of advantages along with several limitations. The key benefits include data: (Mitchell, 2012; Mitchell, 2011; Broadband, 2011; Malladi & Agrawal, 2002) Sharing of valuable data and information among computers Mobility Cable elimination Secure environment Data secrecy Although, every advanced technology has dominant features and disadvantages too. The major negative aspects of wireless networking include: (Mitchell, 2012; Mitchell, 2011; Broadband, 2011; Malladi & Agrawal, 2002) Radio interference Affect of bad weather Expensive Data transfer difficulty through walls It is worth mentioning here that this dominant technological aspect has been gaining rapid popularity. Moreover, this popularity is not only limited inside the business workplace environment but also for home users. In the beginning the consumers either from industry or homes had concerns regarding its high price. But now its price has started decreasing. Thus, it will attract more users (Mitchell, 2012; Mitchell, 2011; Broadband, 2011; Malladi & Agrawal, 2002). Difference between Wired and Wireless Networking The new technology based network is basically distinguished into wired and wireless network technology based systems. The wired networks are traditional telephone network systems those are offering a great deal of capability for the communication on dedicated line. While the wireless networks are making use of air as a data transfer medium. Nowadays, we see numerous network protocols like that transmission control protocol (TCP) and internet protocol (IP) can be easily managed on wired and wireless networks mutually. However, certain technologies are quite reliable with Ethernet. They are a dominant feature in business operations, organizational infrastructure and at home use level. In addition, recently numerous substitutes of wireless networking have emerged as a leading technological aspect for improving wireless based technology (Mitchell, 2012; Mitchell, 2011; Broadband, 2011; Malladi & Agrawal, 2002). How do Wireless Networks work? The wireless networks are now one of main technology and communication system for any business or corporate life. The overall working and handling of these networks is less complex and easy to handle as compared to traditional network based systems. In this section I will present the derailed analysis of working of WNs. A lot of IT professionals are concerned with its complex working layout but it is not the reality. In fact, wireless technology has easy and smooth environment that can be easily implemented by everyone. For example, if we have two different machines available and each machine has wireless operational infrastructure. In this scenario, necessary equipment includes wireless adapter and we just need to set down a wireless router for efficient working of wireless technology. In many cases or in other mediums of data transformation the data is transmitted into binary code at both ends. But in contrast here the binary data is converted into radio frequency. Hence, this encoded radio frequency will be transformed through a wireless router that we already have set down into our wireless environment. In this way, the data at receiver end will be converted back into the binary data (Home-Network-Help, 2012; Nash, 2000). It is necessary to make use of some specific device like broadband or digital subscriber line (DSL) in order to access internet. However, they both can be managed with wireless technology. Sometimes we hear about a term called wireless hotspot, which means that external users can also establish an internet connection with wireless device no matter whether someone is near to that location or not. In this regard, there are two significant parts of wireless connectivity: wireless router and wireless clients (Home-Network-Help, 2012; Nash, 2000). In addition, if someone wants instant connectivity a user can get connected without having wireless connectivity. Only a user has to manage a wireless router and then connect it with digital subscriber line (DSL) modem. In this way a user can also add up a wireless user only with an additional wireless card. However, this wireless card should be incorporated in computer or in a network. Hence, we can easily form a simple wireless network without trouble. In this way we can get connected directly to computer. But this can only happen when we have switch ports available (Home-Network-Help, 2012; Nash, 2000). Figure 3Wireless Network, Image Source: http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-network.html Strengths of Wireless Networks It is an admitted fact that the wireless networks have turned out to be one of best technologies for the communication. Our cell phones, PDAs and other communication arrangements are completed reliant on wireless networks. The overall capability of data transfer and communication of these networks is improving day-by day. Now we are able to transfer hundreds of mega bytes data per second through these networks (Scottyken, 2012; Nash, 2000). Moreover, the usage of wireless based technological products cannot only make our life easier but also makes our work more smooth and reliable. In addition, these dominant features in today’s world have opened numerous opportunities to make resourceful usage of it. In fact, this technology facilitates us with easy and inexpensive sharing of data. By using a wireless network, we can access any computer and also its resources by a single click. Hence, by acquiring one modem we cannot only make reliable data sharing but also establish connection with other machines to make smooth use of it. For this purpose we only need a wireless card and turn them on (Scottyken, 2012; Nash, 2000). Another competitive edge that a user can get is that a wireless network permits us to access files and required data easily. In addition, by forming a wireless environment we cannot only manage the data access but can also move/transfer resources of one machine to another. Thus, it shows scalability and responsive behavior of wireless environment. It is worth mentioning here that availing a wireless environment lets us to send or receive files instantly. In other words, it allows us to avail quick and reliable connectivity. In this scenario, we can send and receive data much faster than email technology. Moreover, if we don’t have a printer or any other peripheral but some other computers have and that computer is part of the wireless environment. We can get print through resource sharing (Scottyken, 2012; Nash, 2000). Furthermore, if we want to play a game with other players we can easily establish this arrangement. In fact, these days majority of games have option to play over a network or using wireless LAN. It lets us to play these games with any other players who have network connection or link. Given that, wireless network connections remain always accessible and on, as a result we remain connected to global village anywhere and anytime whenever we want. Additionally, some wireless networks require a username and password but it totally depends on users how they configure their network to sign in (Scottyken, 2012; Nash, 2000). I have discussed several useful advantages of using network technology but the major one is that we don’t need to use dangerous wires for using a network. Additionally, we don’t have need to adopt precautionary measures. In fact, we can use our computer our laptop in any room of the house but just staying connected to wireless environment. In addition, if we are moving from one location to another we do not need to take tension of wires (Scottyken, 2012; Nash, 2000). Weaknesses of Wireless Networks The wireless network technology has offered numerous benefits over traditional networks however also brought a number of issues and challenges for effective communication. These issues can be varied from communication arrangement to arrangement. Though, innovative technological features give us valuable advantages at the same time they have some sort of weaknesses or deficiencies. However, it always depends on a user whether he/she depicts a technology for better usage or not. Due to these reasons a wireless technology would not be preferable by some organization or individuals. I have analyzed some of the critical limitations of this technological aspect. These limitations are given below (Scottyken, 2012; Ipoint-Tech, 2004) Security Environment Network communication and data transfer security is one of the main issues in wireless communication arrangements. The network technology goes more in-secure when our data and information can be accessed through open air. IT professionals consider security feature in negative consideration because the fact is that wireless networks normally make use of numerous encryption technologies. But, a number of common operated encryption techniques do have significant deficiencies (Scottyken, 2012; Ipoint-Tech, 2004; Lafe, 2005). Range Problems The signal travel through air and require some transfer medium for data travel. In addition, there can be issues regarding lowered signal strength. With increase in distance the overall strength of signal lowers down that causes huge issues regarding signal rage. The other critical problem is range. Typically, wireless networks offer a range of a widespread 802.11g network. It has been observed that this range is affected by the long distance. Also many home users consider this range insufficient. In this regard, achieving additional range becomes complex. For this purpose we have to purchase extra access spots and repeaters, which cause increase in complexities as well as higher costs (Scottyken, 2012; Ipoint-Tech, 2004; Lafe, 2005). Data Transfer Reliability Few critics state that wireless networks are less reliable. Due to signal noise, distortion and strength issues overall performance of such communication arrangements lowers down. In wireless technology, we usually have to face numerous implications. One bad aspect of wireless technology is considered as reliability. Sometimes it happens that our wireless network gets disturbed due to consistent external interruption. Normally, it happens due to bad weather conditions or complex propagation effects that are difficult to manage by network administrator (Scottyken, 2012; Ipoint-Tech, 2004; Lafe, 2005). Speed The speed of wireless data transfer is also one of main issue. This depends on signal medium, medium impurities and number of issues regarding signal quality. This can lead to overall issues in signal speed. IT professionals believe that wireless networks have less speed as compared to other modes of communication. Normally, we can have (typically 1-54 Mbps) that is considered to be slower as compared to wired network. On the other hand, we can attain maximum speed on cable network that is generally 100Mbps up to several Gbps (Scottyken, 2012; Ipoint-Tech, 2004; Lafe, 2005). It has been observed at some place that rogues access points can be used for informational theft. Hence, we can lose our valuable data. In this technology power consumption rate is higher if we compare it with numerous other standards. Hence, battery life and heat are also severe concerns (Lafe, 2005). Future of Wireless Technology In future, it is expected that we will have 4G wireless technology. In addition, we will use it in our cell phones with high data download and sending speed. We will have WI-MAX, which is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. It has much faster speed and a high signal range. Additionally, it will surely be affordable technological standard which would not be much complex. Wireless technologies have always remained a hot topic for research observers and analysts. According to them this dominant factor is not only reliable in use but also very much effective. In fact this network has many competitive edges over other technologies (Lafe, 2005). Conclusion In many cases, organizations need to process a large amount of data entered by different users simultaneously. In this scenario, the implementation of a network becomes essential. A network is a set of computers connected with each other to share data and other resources (i.e. peripherals like printer). In addition, numerous tools and techniques are available to establish a network. These days the trend of wireless networking is emerging quickly. In a wireless network, computers are connected without using wires (through air or waves). These high speed waves enable and manage communication channels among computers. Before the emergence of this technological aspect, wired technology (that was purely based on fiber optics and copper) has been used for the creation of computer networks. This paper has presented a detailed analysis of wireless technology. This paper has discussed several benefits and disadvantages of wireless technology. The future of wireless technology is bright and we expect more innovative developments in this sector. Bibliography Broadband, 2011. Wireless broadband, Wireless Networking, Wi-Fi, whats what? [Online] Available at: http://www.broadband.co.uk/guides/wireless-broadband/ [Accessed 02 November 2011]. Home-Network-Help, 2012. What is Wireless Network. [Online] Available at: http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-network.html [Accessed 18 February 2012]. Ipoint-Tech, 2004. Wireless Networking (Wi-Fi) – Advantages and Disadvantages to wireless networking. 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