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Wi-FI Network
Q & A How to page
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WiFi Network
WI-Fi Network Q & A - all about wireless networking; Web Tech Support Page!
By:
WebTechGeek.com
The WiFi Network Setup Web Tech Support page: Thinking of setting-up and installing your own wireless (WiFi) network? Setting-up your own wireless (WiFi) network couldn't be easier or more affordable.
About ten years ago when I first had DSL installed in my home, wireless networking was so slow and expensive. (about $1000. to network 4 computer together).
I decided to use ethernet cable to network my 4 computers at a cost of $250. Ethernet cable networking at the time was the cheapest and fastest (100-megabit-per-second) speed.
Wi-Fi networking is easier and a lot cheaper today and almost a fast as ethernet cable networking. It still pales in comparison to a 100-megabit-per-second Ethernet connection, but a lot easer to setup and use.
If your buy yourself a WiFi wireless network kit you can have it setup and running in about one hour. A ethernet cable network is easy if all the computers are in the same room, but if the computers are in different rooms that could take you hours and or days to install all the cable.
The hardest part of ethernet cable networking is running network cable from room to room, trying to hide the ethernet cable under the carpet or tacking it to the walls and drilling holes in the wall for the cable, all a pain in the asset.
With WiFi wireless networking no running cable from room to room, no tacking cable to the walls, no hiding cable under the carpet, no drilling, it's all wireless. Wi-Fi networking is neat and easy!
With a WiFi wireless network you can share your high speed Internet access, music and video files, check e-mail, or simply share a printer with others on you home or work network.
If you use a laptop computer with Wi-Fi you can wander around with your laptop and go online from most anywhere in your house or business. Imagine ordering online while you're in the living room, or hooking up your laptop to your stereo system and listening to your MP3s, see why wireless networking is so hot.
Today, Wi-Fi (short for wireless fidelity) networks are popping up all over town, in places public (such as McDonald's and Starbucks) and private (homes and businesses). Estimates that the number of hot spots--the catch phrase for wireless network access points--will jump from roughly 14,000 in 2002 to over 150,000 in 2005.
WI-Fi Network:
Q. What type of Wi-Fi should I use? A. At this time Wi-Fi 802.11g is today's stranded, Wi-Fi 802 11b is slower and older, so use 802.11g.
Q. What dose Wi-Fi mean? A. The Wi-Fi logo means it's been tested by the Wi-Fi alliance, a nonprofit group that makes sure that the 802.11 products play together nicely, no matter what company made them. If you see a product doesn't have the Wi-Fi logo, you should think twice about buying it.
Q. How fast is 802.11b? A. 802.11b is the older Wi-Fi standard. Promising a theoretical maximum throughput of 11 megabits per second, (In the real world, it delivers about 4 or 7 megabits per second) it operates on the unlicensed 2.4 GHz wireless frequencies, along with quite a few other things. like your wireless phones and microwave oven.
Q. What about 802.11g? A. 802.11g is the newer faster Wi-Fi connection, promising a (theoretical) maximum of 54 megabits per second. Translated, it's about five times as fast as 802.11b. That helps a lot when transferring large files. Remember it still pales in comparison to a 100-megabit-per-second Ethernet connection. Remember to come back to WebTechGeek.com for more How to's!
Q. What about 802.11a? A. 802.11a has one big difference from 802.11g and 802.11b: It operates at the less-crowded 5 GHz bandwidth. 802.11a just like 802.11g, has a (theoretical) max of 54 megabits per second. Also you're less likely to have interference from, your neighbor's wireless network or other devices. 802.11a higher frequency may have difficulty traveling through the walls of your house than b or g.
Q. What's the next big thing in Wi-Fi? A. 802.11n deliver a theoretical rate of 200 megabits per second, that's about four times as fast as 802.11g.
Q. How do I create a wireless home network? A. You need a hardware device called a wireless access point router (or gateway). A popular model is the $60 Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch by Linksys. Connect your Wireless Access Point Router to your DSL or cable modem. The access point router, using one or more antennae, transmits your high-speed Internet connection over radio waves (WI-FI), up to 300 feet, theoretically. Any wireless network adapter--whether built into a PC, notebook, or PDA, or added later as a peripheral device within 300 feet range of the access point's radio waves can, if permitted, connect to your network. WI-Fi Network Q&A.
Q. Do I need a wireless network adapter? A. Yes, There's variety of wireless network adapter cards available from Linksys, D-Link, and others. Wireless network adapter cards cost anywhere from $15 to $120. You will need one for each Pc. Most laptops come with wireless networking adapters already built in or as an configuration option. A wireless network adapter can be added affordably, too. 
A laptop user's best bet is a wireless network PC Card, which fits into an available PC Card slot. Some Palm and Pocket PC handheld devices now include built-in wireless network adapters, too.
Q. Is there a easy way to install a Wi-Fi wireless network adapter, because I don't know how to install a Wi-Fi card and I don't want to open my desktop Pc. A. Yes, you can buy a wireless USB to Wi-Fi 802.11g adapter (about $25. to $60.) for your Pc. You don't have to open your Pc to use this USB to Wi-Fi adapter, just plug the adapter in to your computers USB port and you have instant wireless network. There's variety of USB wireless network adapter available.
Q. Is there a guide to free and fee-based Wi-Fi hot spots? A. Yes, here are some: WiFiMaps.com, 802.11Hotspots.com and The Community Wireless Node Database Project. WI-Fi Network, Remember to come back to WebTechGeek.com for more How to's!
The future of Wi-Fi looks very good with Wi-Fi getting faster and cheaper. It's probably time for you to join the Wi-Fi party.
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