Wireless is often referred to as "Wi-Fi" which stands for "Wireless-Fidelity". While the term is used in a very general way it has a meaningful background. Wireless-Fidelity Alliance is an organization that sets the standards for wireless devices and software to work together from different manufacturers. Wireless products that pass Wi-Fi Alliance testing are identified as Wi-Fi Certified.
Below is the basic layout for a wireless network using cable broadband internet.
Wherever there's an access point there's a hotspot. The hotspot is the area in which you have the signal to connect to that access point. Many places provide public hotspots where you can basically get free internet and is most often provided to attract potential consumers. You usually see places like bookstores and cafes offering these services, but many are being added to the list daily.
Top 10 Wifi hotspot countries in the world according to JiWire database:
United States
United Kingdom
Germany
France
South Korea
Japan
Taiwan
Netherlands
Italy
Switzerland
And total hotspots registered to one major hotspot locator JiWire is over 200,000.
These hotspots can be utilized by basically anyone with a notebook or phone equipped with Wi-Fi. The connection is usually done using broadband or T1s and is a shared connection. Being shared, the speed you get on your web browsing and downloads depends on not only their bandwidth package, but how many people are using it at that time.
Wireless connection speed standards
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communication, developed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers) LAN/MAN Standards Committee (IEEE 802) in the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz public spectrum bands.
802.11 The original version of the standard IEEE 802.11, released in 1997 and clarified in 1999, specified two raw data rates of 1 and 2 megabits per second (Mbit/s) to be transmitted in the Industrial Scientific Medical frequency band at 2.4 GHz.
802.11a The 802.11a standard uses the same core protocol as the original standard, operates in 5 GHz band with a maximum raw data rate of 54 Mbit/s, which yields realistic net achievable throughput in the mid-20 Mbit/s. Since the 2.4 GHz band is heavily used to the point of being crowded, using the relatively un-used 5 GHz band gives 802.11a a significant advantage. However, this high carrier frequency also brings a slight disadvantage: The effective overall range of 802.11a is slightly less than that of 802.11b/g; 802.11a signals cannot penetrate as far as those for 802.11b because they are absorbed more readily by walls and other solid objects in their path.
802.11b 802.11b has a maximum raw data rate of 11 Mbit/s and uses the same media access method defined in the original standard. 802.11b products appeared on the market in early 2000, since 802.11b is a direct extension of the modulation technique defined in the original standard. The dramatic increase in throughput of 802.11b (compared to the original standard) along with simultaneous substantial price reductions led to the rapid acceptance of 802.11b as the definitive wireless LAN technology. 802.11b devices suffer interference from other products operating in the 2.4 GHz band. Devices operating in the 2.4 GHz range include: microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors and cordless telephones. Interference issues, and user density problems within the 2.4 GHz band have become a major concern and frustration for users.
802.11g In June 2003, a third modulation standard was ratified: 802.11g. This works in the 2.4 GHz band (like 802.11b) but operates at a maximum raw data rate of 54 Mbit/s, or about 19 Mbit/s net throughput. 802.11g hardware is fully backwards compatible with 802.11b hardware. The then-proposed 802.11g standard was rapidly adopted by consumers starting in January 2003, well before ratification, due to the desire for higher speeds, and reductions in manufacturing costs. By summer 2003, most dual-band 802.11a/b products became dual-band/tri-mode, supporting a and b/g in a single mobile adapter card or access point. Details of making b and g work well together occupied much of the lingering technical process; in an 802.11g network, however, the presence of a legacy 802.11b participant will significantly reduce the speed of the overall 802.11g network. 802.11g devices suffer interference from other products operating in the 2.4 GHz band. Devices operating in the 2.4 GHz range include: microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors and cordless telephones. Interference issues, and user density problems within the 2.4 GHz band have become a major concern and frustration for users.
802.11n 802.11n is a proposed amendment which builds on the previous 802.11 standards by adding multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). Though there are already many products on the market based on Draft 2.0 of this proposal, the amendment is not expected to be approved until September 2008.
An 802.11 access point may operate in one of three modes: 1. Legacy (only 802.11a, and b/g) 2. Mixed (802.11a, b/g, and n) 3. Greenfield (only 802.11n) - maximum performance
802.11s It extends the IEEE 802.11 MAC standard by defining an architecture and protocol that support both broadcast/multicast and unicast delivery using "radio-aware metrics over self-configuring multi-hop topologies." While still in a preliminary development stage, the 802.11s draft is supported by a wide variety of industry leaders. The One Laptop per Child project will use the 802.11s networking standard for its OLPC XO laptop and OLPC XS school server.
You will often find multiple standard equipment labeled like b+a or a+b+g meaning they work with all. Most would suggest to only seek out the 802.11g. With 802.11g being compatible on both -g and -b standards you will likely never see a problem connecting to a Wi-Fi network you need to.
One thing many don't stop to think about or realize is their standard is rated at maximum speed which the user may be getting only a fraction of. While 802.11g is rated at a maximum of 54Mbps, it has different speed steps it connects at depending on your signal strength: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 11, 6, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps usually. Your signal strength depends mostly on distance from the access point to the device and what's inbetween the access point and device.
Wireless security - what you can do
1) Enable WPA The two main security standards most people are familiar with are WEP and WPA(Wi-fi Protected Access). They both can not be enabled together on a network and WPA is far better than WEP. WEP and WPA both encrypt and decrypt data on the network so it's not so easily intercepted. Where WPA stands above WEP is that WEP uses a static key to encrypt and WPA encrypts dynamically by each packet of data which they call Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP).
You also need to make sure your access point is WPA to be able to use it. To enable it, you will need to follow the instructions in your manual. They can vary by device.
2) Don't broadcast your SSID and change default password Some access points/routers are set to broadcast your SSID (Service Set Identifier) by default, you can disable this and you should also change it from the default name assigned to it by the manufacturer.
You have to change the default password. Many people know the default password of most brands. If they get access to your wireless, they can log into your router and change the configurations and set the password themselves locking you out!
These procedures vary by device and can be looked up in the manual on how to do it.
3) Enable MAC address filtering This requires any computer on the network to have a matching mac address. This is something you will find broadband companies do when you set up service. They enter the mac address of your modem so the network allows it to connect. Every device such as a computer should have its own individual MAC address. Just like the above, you will need to refer to your manual for the procedures since each brand varies.
Wi-Fi devices
There are two main types of wireless setups for notebooks:
Integrated wireless Is built into the notebook and usually has an antenna running through the chassis along the LCD.
PCMCIA wireless Is a universal card that plugs into the PCMCIA slot of the notebook (notebooks with type II PCMCIA slot).
Most people choose the integrated wireless as it's designed internal and specifically for the notebook it's in. Reception usually leans towards the internal card from my experience. If the internal wireless doesn't provide the standard you're looking for you may not have a choice. The reason people choose the PCMCIA version sometimes is if they want to use the same card on another notebook they sometimes use that doesn't have internal wireless. The PCMCIA card sticks out the side and often gets pretty warm leaving it a far off second choice.
The basic set up on your notebook using Windows XP
Open up "My Network Places" and click "View Network Connections".
Right click on your "Wireless Network Connection" and make sure it's enabled then go to "View Available Wireless Networks". At that point you'll see a list. You need to highlight yours and check the box allowing you to connect and apply.
Your system will then have a signal strength indicator in the tray showing your connection speed.
Some devices you may need to install their software depending on the OS you're running, but most devices you will not need to with Windows XP SP2 running. It should auto detect and install.
Don't connect to random networks because not only is it illegal, but you're giving them access to your computer also. You can pick up a virus on their network from one of their computers. Also, there's tricks people play one called "Evil Twin" where they will put out a signal for you to detect hoping you connect to it. You think you're connecting to a wireless network, but you're actually connecting directly to another computer they are using to get your information and basically have their way with your system.
