Wireless Networks Article

Not all wireless routers are the same; depending on cost, you could experience slow, unreliable service to speedy, reliable service. According to your wireless network needs, let's review a few key points about how to protect your investment in wireless applications.

Home Use

Linksys routers are what we typically see for home wireless networks. If you are in the market for one, most people select the faster and more reliable version - the 802.11g option. The Linksys home router is configured to the name of the network (the service set identifier SSID), a channel (usually channel 6), and your own username and password.

One way to keep a secure wireless network is to use a 64-bit or a 128-bit encryption known as Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP). Access is enabled by keying in a numerical password. Another way to secure your network is to have WiFi Protected Access (WPA) - where you have to use a temporal key integrity protocol encryption (a password when signing in). Lastly, Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering uses the computer's physical hardware. By this, only specified MAC addresses are allowed to access the wireless network. This is the most secure method to use.

Office Use

802.11n wireless networks offer greater performance and enable organizations to create a seamless working environment by combining the mobility of wireless with the performance of wired networks.

The 802.11n gives up to five times the throughput of current 802.11a/b/g networks, and it makes wireless networks an integral part of every type of organization by:

Data rates of up to 300 Mbps per radio support more users, devices, and mission-critical, bandwidth-intensive applications
New multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology for predictable WLAN coverage and reliable connectivity
Next generation wireless provides the greatest investment protection to support emerging mobility applications (cisco.com)

Cisco Enterprise Wireless Mesh enables enterprises to provide wireless connectivity to indoor areas that, until now, have been difficult or impossible to wire. Without requiring wired connections, mesh access points use the 2.4 GHz frequency to deliver network access to users in hard-to-reach areas, and use the 5 GHz band to backhaul traffic to traditional access points connected to Ethernet ports. Benefits include:

High availability through dynamic wireless mesh self-healing
Unified architecture for indoor and outdoor networks
Simple, flexible radio frequency (RF) coverage
Optimal network performance for the entire enterprise facility

Extending the network beyond the reach of Ethernet wiring, Cisco Enterprise Wireless Mesh enables networking functionality for the entire enterprise and is available for the Cisco Aironet 1240 and 1130 Series access points. The Cisco Unified Wireless Network delivers the modular architecture required to implement Next Generation Wireless networks today, while ensuring a smooth migration path to future technologies and services. (cisco.com)

From home networks to large organizations, wireless technologies provide improved communication and flexibility. Home users don't have to worry too much about slowing the speed of their Internet connections, but organizations need robust, high-speed compatibilities, and security protocols. Organizations benefit the most from emerging high-speed wireless technologies and should seriously consider the advantages and deployment options of MIMO and 802.11n solutions.

How Can You Better Protect Your Network?

The GGI Networks' sales team will find you the network equipment you need! For questions call 1-800-908-9665 or email us at: sales@gginetworks.com.

Debbie Jensen, an expert writer for business and technology for GGI Networks, has a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communication (Multimedia). With her twenty year history of creative expressions and formalized study of Information Technology of digital print/web design and development, she is now publishing articles about networking for GGI Networks.

Wireless Networks - at Home and at Work

Home Use

Office Use

Summary

How Can You Better Protect Your Network?

Network Equipment Articles