Reliability Future of Wireless Network - Case Study Example

FUTURE WIRELESS NETWORKS: 802.11N Future Wireless Networks: 802.11n Affiliation Introduction The purpose of this paper is to discuss a complete introduction, benefits, reliability and future of wireless network 802.11n, and to evaluate its effect on different organizations. This paper has also performed its comparison with the legacy 802.11a and 802.11g network technologies. The 802.11n is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard for Wi-Fi wireless local network communication released officially in 2009. The 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless network technology is the latest technology developed to improve the reliability of older network technologies. This modern technology has now become the standard of the network (Mitchell, 2014). 802.11n Network Technology 802.11n is a wireless network technology designed by the institute of electrical and electronics engineers, on the basis of previous standard and now using a new MIMO (Multiple input and multiple output) principal. In this technology, the range is also improved as compared to the previous standards. There are more antennas and new techniques used in this standard that can increase the channel bandwidth. The coding scheme used in 802.11n is the Alamouti coding scheme. This coding scheme was released in 1998, and was designed for two-transmit antenna system. The installation of 802.11n network technology has reduced the TCO by delivering reliable wireless network that supports a huge range of mobility application without reducing the performance of the whole network. The devices, supporting the 802.11n, have a built-in Wi-Fi channel on which these are transmitting. This standard is quite different from the older technologies on the basis of its range of frequency, and the use of new technology, MIMO in which several data streams are transferred from one place to another (Cisco, 2014). The benefit of new technology is that the user can send more and more data at the same time. Another technique used in this wireless network technology is the channel bonding, which can use two separate channels that do not overlap at the same time. The advantage of this channel bonding is that the amount of data is also greater than before, which a user wants to send. When the user transmits data, then each technology divides the whole data into small packets, which are then sent to the receiver machine or device. But in 802.11n, the data is also sent in packets, which provides an advantage that more data can be embedded in a single packet than the legacy wireless network technologies (Haskin, 2007). The 802.11n wireless technology runs in critical modes, which are classified in ad hoc mode and infrastructure mode. Each mode operates in different conditions. For instance, infrastructure mode and the ad hoc mode have their own terms and conditions, different from each other. When the communication takes place between one access point and one client, then in the infrastructure mode, the client connects to the network through an access point for getting success for the internet. While the other is the Ad hoc mode, which is best in another condition when clients do not want to communicate with the interference of the access point or by connecting with the access point. “In ad hoc mode, the client is directly connected to the Internet without going through the access point, therefore, the ad hoc mode is also called as peer to peer mode” (4Gon Solutions, 2014). The 802.11n wireless technology is the enhanced version of pervious technologies, for instance, 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. This technology can operate in greater frequency range, for instance, this wireless technology can operate, not only in 2.4 GHz (Gigahertz), but also at 5 GHz and 40 MHz (Megahertz) channels to the physical layer and frame aggregation to the MAC (Media Access Control) layer (4Gon Solutions, 2014). Due to many strong features of this 802.11n technology, this is very popular, but now another technology in Wi-Fi world is introduced that has greater ability to send and receive data than 802.11n. The technology taking place of 802.11n is 802.11ac, introduced in 2012, which has the ability to operate at 5GHz frequency range, and its bandwidth channel ranges from 80 to 160. And also the data rate of 802.11ac is tripled than 802.11n wireless technology. 802.11ac can use up to 866.7 Mbps, and it allows 8 MIMO streams, while in 802.11n, only 4 MIMO streams are allowed. And the speed used by 802.11ac is in the gigabytes that is 1.3 Gbps (Merunetworks, 2014). This 802.11ac is higher than 802.11n, and with more enhanced abilities, it is going to be popular in this age. But with these high features, this technology is much expensive than its previous technology. 802.11n is not too much expensive like 802.11ac and also offers high quality ranges as compared to 802.11a/b/g. Due to these midterm ranges, rates and features, the future of the 802.11n is seemed to be sharper. In the future, Wi-Fi will become the most popular way for connecting the home, offices, campuses and in all small, medium and in large organizations. The fear of information loss is also abridged with the use of the OFDM modulation scheme, which divides the available scheme into subcarriers that are mathematically orthogonal. The OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) enhances the tolerance for multiple path fading, and if information is lost, then it can be recovered easily with error correction codes. While the use of Wi-Fi in smartphones will be the cause of an explosion in the world. Due to its high range, it will be used by airlines and traveling agencies for attracting passengers and travelers. The latest mobile, laptops, TVs, Apple IPods tablets and all other new upcoming wearable technologies have built-in wireless network technology. For small ranges or in small devices, usually the Bluetooth is used, but gradually, the Bluetooth is also replaced with the 802.11n wireless network technologies (Poulin, 2008). Comparison of the 802.11a/g and 802.11n The 802.11a is released officially in September, 1999. 802.11a is a network technology that uses the similar data protocol layer as the original protocol layer 802.11-1197. Its frequency range is 5 GHz, and it can operate with a maximum bandwidth is 20 MHz with the data rate of 54 Mbps per stream. The MIMO stream in this standard is 1. The modulation scheme being used in 802.11a is OFDM. The approximate indoor range of the 802.11a technology is 35 meters and the outdoor range is 120 meters (Poole, 2014). The 802.11g is released officially in June, 2003. 802.11g is a better version as compared to the 802.11a, because it is using OFDM based transmission. And the data stream rate in 802.11g wireless technology is 54 Mbps, while the maximum channel bandwidth is 20 MHz’s. In this technology, OFDM is activated with the speed more than the 200 Mbps, which increases the NLOS (non-line-of-sight capability). It also uses another scheme for modulation, which is DSSS (direct sequence spread spectrum). And the indoor range of the 802.11g wireless network technology is 38 meters, while the outdoor range is 140 meters (Poole, 802.11g specifications, 2014) 802.11n is officially released in October, 2009. The frequency of this wireless network technology is 2.4 or 2.5 GHz. Its channel bandwidth is 20 MHz and 40 MHz’s, while the data rate per stream for 20 MHz bandwidth is 72.2 Mbps and for 40 MHz is 150 Mbps. And the MIMO streams in this wireless technology is 4. The modulation scheme on which it is based is OFDM. The indoor range for the 20 MHz and 40 MHz is same and it is 70 meters. And also the outdoor range of the 20 MHz and 40 MHz channel bandwidth is 250 meters (Poole, IEEE 802.11n Standard, 2014). Conclusion It is concluded that the 802.11a, 802.11g and 802.11n are different wireless network technologies. Each has a different data rate stream, bandwidth, indoor range, outdoor range and modulation scheme. The future of the 802.11n is brighter than others, as it will be the most dominant standard used in different organizations and devices due to its modulation and MIMO scheme. For presentation At the present, a large number of network technologies are available for establishing and improving communication between different devices and networks locally and remotely. Some of the well-known technologies include Bluetooth, Infrared, and Wi-Fi in wireless network technologies, and some other wired technologies also exist for communication. In order to get rid of complications associated with wires these wireless technologies are introduced, which are not only speedy but also allow people to communicate in specific range without wire. These wireless technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the most important advantage of wireless technology is that the users can use them in places where wires and fiber cannot reach. The mobility and collaboration are also increased with the wireless technologies. User can perform their work either in single room or in the whole building in different rooms using roaming, because the users are connected to network every time. If a user wants to add more users or workers in their network, there is no need to buy a cable or fiber for connection, users can easily add in the network. In these network technologies 802.11n wireless network technology has its own advantages. In fact, the majority of schools, colleges, enterprises prefer the 802.11n network technologies because it is faster than other wireless technologies like Bluetooth, infrared, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. During communication with 802.11n there is less probability of interference. This 802.11n wireless technology encompasses the latest security features. And it is ready for the upcoming devices which are used by the next generation. References 4gon. (2014). An Introduction to 802.11 (Wi-Fi) Technologies. Retrieved from 4gon: http://www.4gon.co.uk/solutions/introduction_to_802_11_wifi.php Cisco. (2014). 802.11n Can Manage Mission-Critical Wireless Needs. Retrieved from Cisco: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/enterprise-networks/802-11n/index.html#~overview Haskin, D. (2007, May 16). FAQ: 802.11n wireless networking. Retrieved from Computerworld: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2544290/mobile-wireless/faq--802-11n-wireless-networking.html Merunetworks. (2014). 802.11ac Overview. Retrieved from Merunetworks: http://www.merunetworks.com/products/technology/80211ac/ Mitchell, B. (2014). 802.11n. Retrieved from Compnetworking: http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless80211/g/bldef_80211n.htm Poole, I. (2014). 802.11g specifications. Retrieved from Radio-electronics: http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/wireless/wi-fi/ieee-802-11g.php Poole, I. (2014). IEEE 802.11a. Retrieved from Radio-electronics: http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/wireless/wi-fi/ieee-802-11a.php Poole, I. (2014). IEEE 802.11n Standard. Retrieved from Radio-electronics: http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/wireless/wi-fi/ieee-802-11n.php Poulin, D. (2008, October 10). The Future Of Wireless Networks: Understanding 802.11n. Retrieved from Eetimes: http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1276382 Read More