wireless internrt connection

Wireless Internet access, sometimes referred to as a "hot spot," is a local area network (LAN) run by radio waves rather than wires. Wireless Internet access is broadcast from a central hub, which is a hard-wired device that actually brings in the Internet connection. The hub, located at the main computer system or server, broadcasts Internet connectivity to clients, which is basically anyone within receiving range who is equipped with a wireless LAN card.
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In the home, a desktop system setup for wireless Internet access will broadcast connectivity throughout the immediate area. Any family member with a laptop or desktop in another room can connect wirelessly to the Internet to share the main connection. Neighbors may also be able to access this wireless connection, which is why most wireless LANs are configured with password security. In this case, any machine that wishes to get wireless Internet access must first complete a "handshake" with the LAN, in which the password is requested. If the proper password is not supplied, access is denied. Security protocols for wireless Internet access have improved with Wi Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wi Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) options.
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While wireless Internet access is very convenient in the home, it can be even more so in the workplace. A wired network can not only be very time consuming to install throughout a building, it is also very expensive. Ethernet cables used to connect client machines might need to be routed through walls, ceilings, and floors. In the past, this disadvantage was sometimes overlooked due to the advantages of greater security and faster data transfer speeds through Ethernet cables.

These advantages have been largely mitigated, however. Wireless LANs can be installed in virtually minutes by nearly anyone, are extremely inexpensive, and can have data transfer rates that rival hard-wired Ethernet LANs. Furthermore, WPA2 encrypts all traffic on the LAN, addressing the problem of eavesdropping.

One of the most popular applications for wireless Internet access is the public hot spot. Internet cafes are one example of places where one can sit with a laptop and sip coffee while cruising the Internet, checking email, or doing research. Cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) equipped with Web browsers can also utilize wireless Internet access points through public hot spots.

Some localities provide free wireless Internet access for residents and visitors. Since wireless LANs use radio waves that distort over long distances, the radius of the signal is limited. The further from the hub, the weaker the signal. Therefore cities that provide access will cover a specific area within the city where people can park to gain access.

Technology for wireless LANs is improving constantly. When designing a new wireless network, the person setting up the network should be sure to get network cards, a hub, and a wireless modem that support the latest protocols and security measures. Instructions should be followed carefully when configuring wireless Internet access.
Networking allows two or more computers to interface with each other, whether in an office, a library or other type of establishment, or at home. Running cables throughout an office or a house can be tedious and time-consuming, however, making wireless networking - a network of interfaced computers that doesn't require any hardwired connection between the computers - the ideal choice for many businesses and homes.

Wireless networking has many uses. Wireless networking at an office or place of business makes it easy to share files, printers, and Internet access between all of the computers. Wireless networking at home or in a home office can enable you to print a file from your laptop without having to go to the printer and hook up to it. Wireless networking also means that you can take your laptop to a place that offers WiFi, known as a "hotspot," and instantly connect to the Internet - a valuable tool for businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and students.

For wireless networking to be possible, all computers connected to the network must have a wireless card. Wireless networking is virtually the same thing as wireless Internet access - except instead of connecting to the Internet, you are connecting to another computer - so if you can already access the Internet wirelessly, wireless networking will be just as easy. Many of the newer laptops on the market come fully equipped for wireless networking, and you can buy a wireless card to upgrade your computer if it doesn't already have wireless networking capabilities.

There are several different kinds of wireless cards available. The first cards on the market were 802.11b, but the standard was eventually upgraded to 802.11g. The latter type of card, being the newest, also has the fastest data transfer, making it the obvious choice for anyone who is serious about wireless networking.

Wireless networking and wireless Internet access may seem dangerous to some people. If the channel is left open, anyone can log on to the network; once on the network, that person could hack into one of the other computers, easily locating personal files containing sensitive information. However, what many people don't realize is that wireless networking and wireless Internet access comes with a feature that protects against such an event: the WEP key. The WEP key is essentially a password that is required before a computer can sign on to the wireless network, which prevents any unauthorized use. If you are unsure of how to set up this feature, you can call the provider of your wireless service or the manufacturer of your wireless modem or router.