Networking Topic - Research Paper Example

Your full full November 18, 2009 Wireless Networking A wireless network is defined as the type of telecommunication network whose nodes are interconnected without any wires and the remote transmission of information takes place by means of radio waves at the physical level. Wireless networking has gained immediate popularity in the last few years. It has helped the consumers to get rid of bundles of cables and wires so that they can benefit from countless services of the internet without having stuck at one place because of wiring.

Wireless networking has made possible quick and reliable file and internet connection sharing. To begin with wireless networking, the first thing needed is a “high speed internet connection at the place where you want to use wireless networking” such as digital subscriber line (DSL) or WI-FI (Software Reviews). Other requirements include wireless networking adapter or a PC card adapter, a modem and a network hub. In case of wide-ranging wireless networking, it is always sensible to use an HP Network Assistant “to validate your wired and wireless network settings” (Hewlett-Packard Development Company).

Wireless networks are based on IEEE 802.11 standards which is a set of standards developed by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) to carry out WLAN technology with specifications or protocols like 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n having frequency bandwidth of 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz. Three main types of wireless networks are WLAN, WPAN and WMAN. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) enable a user to connect to a local area network through wireless networking, like a small network in a house or an office.

WLANs use radio waves for information transmission and are based on IEEE 802.11 standards. An example is Wi-Fi which is a fast speed wireless technology connecting devices for quick file sharing. Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) connect two devices which are present close to each other or within personal reach. An example is Bluetooth which can “transmit at relatively low power and have a range of only 30 feet or so” (Bradley). Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs) cover a larger geographic area and interconnect WLANs to one another.

Another name used for WLANs is WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) which is a digital telecommunication technology based on IEEE 802.16 standards and supplies broadband wireless access covering a very large area. To maintain security of wireless networks is a bit difficult as compared to wired networks. The reason for this is that it is easier to interrupt the radio waves used by wireless networks to propagate information or signals than those pulses that are being propagated through cables and wires.

However, WEP (wireless equivalent privacy) is a privacy protocol or a security system based on IEEE 802.11 which provides protection against intrusion to the WLANs. Still, WEP has been found to have discrepancies, such as, the size of WEP’s initialization vector (IV) is said to be very small along with non-specified key management. These weaknesses make many big businesses stuck to the good old wired networks until the security is made guaranteed. The main advantage of wireless networking is that it covers areas that could not be covered with wired networks due to reasons like time and cost.

The transmission of information is faster and reliable. One does not need to remain stuck to desktops and worry about cables anymore. Wireless networks are also cheaper to install as compared to wired networks. In short, wireless networking is a huge step in the world of networking and telecommunication.Works CitedBradley, Tony. "Quick Tip: Wireless Networking Protocols." About.com: Internet/Network Security. About.com, 2009. Web. 27 Nov. 2009. .Software Reviews. Wireless Networking Center. N.p., 2009. Web. 26 Nov. 2009. .

"Troubleshooting." Wireless Networking Center. Hewlett-Packard Development Company, 2009. Web. 27 Nov. 2009. .