Wireless networking - Essay Example

Wireless computer networking manual Networking is the linking of two or more computing devices together with or without cables for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software. Networking of computers can be accomplished using cables or wires and also without using any wires. The communication language used by computers when it is networked is called protocol. Networks often use multiple protocols based on the usage or purpose of networking is being used. Popular protocols include TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol), the most common protocol found on the Internet and in home networks Networking can be of different types like; Local Area Networking (LAN), Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN), Wide Area Networking (WAN), Metropolitan Area Networking (MAN) etc. LAN and WAN are the popular networking methods. Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) is mostly used networking of computers assembled around a small area. It is widely used in home computer networking connections. This paper briefly explains the networking of three computers assembled in a house using Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) technology. Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) A wireless router (Routers are devices which used to join wired or wireless networks) as shown in the figure given below is the centre point of a home networking using WLAN. It contains a network Switch in order to connect the computers which have to be networked. (Mitchell, 2009, p.1) Wireless routers will have an internal firewall to protect the computers from the hackers or intruders. These wireless routers may have some LED lights in the front in order to indicate different functions, connecting ports at the back and a built in antenna Wireless access points Wireless access points (WAP) connect the wireless computers to the wired Ethernet. It can be connected to another access point or to the internet. WAP's can accommodate large number of computers. An access point can typically connect up to 255 computers and by establishing connection between different access points, more computers can be networked. In home networking, wireless access points can be used to extend an existing home network based on a wired broadband router. The access point connects to the broadband router, allowing wireless clients to join the home network without needing to rewire or re-configure the Ethernet connections. WAPs are similar to wireless routers in appearance. In fact Wireless routers contain a wireless access point as part of their overall package. (Mitchell, 2009, p.2) Wireless Network Adapters (Mitchell, 2009, p.3) Wireless adapter is another key element in the wireless networking of home computer systems. It contains a built in radio transmitter and receiver to transmit and receive radio waves generated by the computers. Wireless adapter cards are of different types. Some of them (PCI wireless adapter cards) can be inserted inside the desktop computer, some others may use USB (Universal Serial Bus) adapter cards which can be connected to the USB ports of the computer and a third variety called PC card or PCMCI wireless adapter cards can be used with laptops. Some laptops or notebooks are nowadays manufactures with inbuilt network adapters. It will have setup software which needs to be installed in the computer. Wireless print server (Mitchell, 2009, p.4) Wireless print server is another equipment, which is used with WLAN which is used to share one printer for all the computers which are networked. Wireless print server is connected to the printer and the wireless router using network cables. Printer can conveniently placed anywhere within the home if it is networked with the computers Wireless game adapter is another optional equipment which can be used in the WLAN setup. It can be connected to the wireless router. It will have setup software which needs to be installed in the computer. Wireless game adapters (Mitchell, 2009, p.5) There are other equipments like wireless range extender, wireless internet video cameras etc as optional equipments which can be connected in this digital networking system fro better performances if needed. Wireless links can provide data transfer rates from less than 1 Mbps to more than 10 Mbps. As one might expect, the greater the link distance capability, and the higher the data transfer rate, the more expensive is the equipment. For example, a pair of bridges operating at a radio frequency of 900 MHz may cost $6000, provide a link distance of 1.0-2.0 miles, and transfer data at 1 Mbps. A 2.4 Ghz bridge might cost approximately $5000, provide a reliable link over a distance of 3-6 miles, and transfer data at 2 Mbps. A microwave link at 31 Ghz may provide a connection over 7-10 miles at 10Mbps (full duplex) for a cost of less than $30000 for the equipment (Wireless Computer Networking: WANs and LANs, n.d) Network setup details (Northrup, 2009) The above diagram shows how to setup two computers using a WLAN setup. Internet is connected to the modem which connected to the wireless router. Cables needed for these connections only. After installing all the hardware like network adapter card internally or externally based on the nature of the computer (desktops or laptops), then install the software required for the hardware installed. The router converts the signal coming from the internet, suitable for wireless broadcast. On the other hand the network adapters installed in the computers will connect the computers to the router wirelessly. Thus the network cards communicate with the router and hence each computer will receive data from the router which distributes the signals it received from the modem to different computers in the network connection. It should be remembered that each hardware installed in the computer needs to be configured first in order to make the router and computer aware of the signals coming and going. After the installation of all the software and hardware, when we switch on the computers, Windows XP should show an icon with a notification that says it has found a wireless network. In such cases the follow the steps given below in order to connect the computers to the network. 1. Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, and then click View Available Wireless Networks. If you run into any problems, consult the documentation that came with your network adapter. Don't be afraid to call their tech support. 2. The Wireless Network Connection window should appear and you should see your wireless network listed with the network name you chose. If you don't see your network, click Refresh network list in the upper-left corner. Click your network, and then click Connect in the lower-right corner. 3. Windows XP prompts you to enter a key. Type the encryption key that you wrote down earlier in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes, and then click Connect. 4. Windows XP will show its progress as it connects to your network. After you're connected, you can now close the Wireless Network Connection window. You're done. (Northrup, 2009) Conclusions Home computers can be networked using Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) technology. In this type of networking, only the modem and the router has been connected with wires whereas all the other communication between the computers and the routers will be done wirelessly. References 1. Mitchell Bradley,(2009), Wireless Product Equipment - Network Routers, Access Points, Adapters and More, Retrieved on 20 August 2009 from http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless/ss/wirelessgear.htm 2. Wireless Computer Networking: WANs and LANs, (n.d), Retrieved on 20 August 2009 from http://www.tcet.unt.edu/wlan.htm 3. Northrup Tony (2009), 4 steps to set up your home wireless network, Retrieved on 20 August 2009 from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx Read More