If you Plan to make your office or home run on a wireless network you'll need to install a Wi-Fi network card, which can turn your computer files into radio signals. You'll also need an access point, which receives those radio signals and either connects to your modem to transfer the data to the Internet, or connects to the other PC gear on your network.

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Peer-to-peer networks

Peer-to-peer networks are used when only a few computers need to be linked together to share a printer and files. A networking program ( such as Lantastic) is used to facilitate the operation of the network.

Ethernet Networks

Ethernet networks can use a configuration that has a central switching hub with a number of computers all connecting to the hub. A server or bridge to other networks may also be connected to this central switch. The Ethernet protocol allows each computer to request a data download or upload but only one at a time. If two computers were to request data at exactly the same time, then both requests would be sent back and they would have to re-apply. Each computer and device within the network must be equipped with an Ethernet card. The card is the physical connection between the computer and the network cabling.

Local Area Networks

Local Area Networks (LAN's) are usually located in one building and may consist of several small networks linked together. The small networks may be of the same type or a combination of types. A large computer server may act as a central control center and storage area; or, each network within the LAN may have its own server, and the LAN may exist just to enable the sharing between the networks. The main function of a LAN is to share information and resources like printers and file servers. Computers within the networks may or may not have hard drives (terminals). The protocol programs control the transfer of data between the networks and the individual computer.

Wide Area Networks

Wide Area Networks (WAN's) are similar to LAN's, but the WAN network usually extends to other buildings and in some cases to other places. The networks may be wired together, but in some cases the links include laser beams, microwaves, and/or radio waves. The main function of a WAN is to share information and resources like printers and file servers. Computers within the network may or may not have hard drives (terminals).

IRDa
Infrared Data Association, a group of device manufacturers that developed a standard for transmitting data via infrared light waves.
The two devices must have their IR ports facing each other. For simple data exchange. Uses very little power.

Wi-Fi
Short for wireless fidelity This is another name for IEEE 802.11b. It is a trade term promulgated by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). "Wi-Fi" is used in place of 802.11b in the same way that "Ethernet" is used in place of IEEE 802.3. Products certified as Wi-Fi by WECA are interoperable with each other even if they are from different manufacturers. A user with a Wi-Fi product can use any brand of Access Point with any other brand of client hardware that is built to the Wi-Fi standard.
Acts like a regular wired network in most respects. Either built in or available as add-on cards or adapters for desktop computers.

GPRS
wherever suitable cell phone coverage
Data service used by GSM cell phones and by some add-on cards for laptops and pda's. Speed typically about 30kb depending on how many users are sharing the service on each cell at any given time. A 2.5G service.

Modem
56kb speed and is not not wireless.
It is the 'old fashioned' way to dial up from a computer to the internet.

DSL/Cable
100kb - 1.5Mb speed and is not wireless
It is 'Broadband' connections to the internet.

Blue tooth and the Internet

Blue tooth can be used to connect between a device that has internet connectivity and another device that does not, for example, you might use Blue tooth to connect from your PDA to your laptop, and then your laptop might use Wi-Fi to connect to a Wi-Fi router and from there you would be connected to the internet.

You can use Blue tooth on your PDA and also on your cell phone and use Blue tooth to connect to your cell phone and then connect through your cell phone and out to the internet from there.

GPRS coverage is much more widespread than Wi-Fi coverage, and while it is not fast, it is adequate for simple mail sending/receiving, instant messaging, and occasional web browsing such as you're likely to do on a PDA.

The advantages of Wi-Fi
So, what makes Wi-Fi better than a "traditional" wired Ethernet network?

You get greater mobility. Since you're un tethered, you can move around with your laptop, and as long as you stay within range of your access point, you won't lose your connection. (You can usually rove about 75 to 150 feet from the access point if you're indoors; farther if you're outdoors.) So, go ahead and send e-mail while you lounge on the deck, or surf the web from the kitchen.

You get quick, easy installation. There are no wires to fish through walls or run along baseboards, so you won't need to drill holes in your floors or drywall. Because of this, a Wi-Fi network can be set up in a matter of minutes (not including the time it takes to configure the security measures — we'll talk more about that on page 2).

It's fairly fast. For providing such serious gains in convenience and ease of installation, Wi-Fi doesn't require a significant tradeoff in speed. The version of Wi-Fi most recently implemented for the majority of consumer electronics and home computers — known to engineers as IEEE 802.11g — transfers data in the 2.4GHz frequency band, at speeds up to 54 Megabits per second. That's almost five times faster than the previous version, and faster than a wired Ethernet network (10Base-T). Plus, the current standard is backwards-compatible with the previous one (the still-popular 802.11b), so if you already own older gear, your brand-new Wi-Fi hardware will work with it to deliver up to 11Mbps data transfer (the maximum speed of the 11b standard).

Additionally, some consumer electronics use another standard — 802.11a. This version is just as fast as 802.11g, but it uses the 5GHz frequency band — so you're less likely to experience interference — and has a shorter range — around 50 meters. It's important to note that 11a is not compatible with either 11b or 11g, so if you own gear using this standard, and you want to buy more components, make sure they support 11a.

Although Wi-Fi offers very respectable data transfer rates, the top speed of your Wi-Fi network may not determine how long it really takes to send and receive data. In practice, other factors, such as your computer's CPU speed, RAM speed, and hard drive speed, probably play more of a role. The bottom line is, for accessing the Internet or streaming music from one room to another, Wi-Fi's speed won't disappoint you. (On the other hand, if you're going to be streaming video or transferring large files wirelessly, you may be happier with newer 802.11g or 11a gear.)

There are many different types of computer networks. Peer-to-peer, ethernet, local area network (LAN), and wide area network (WAN) are examples of computer network configurations. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The disadvantages of Wi-Fi®
Interference. Because your Wi-Fi equipment uses radio waves (probably in the 2.4 GHz frequency band), it can be vulnerable to interference from household devices like microwaves and cordless phones. Be sure to put some distance between these appliances and your Wi-Fi gear. Your neighbor's wireless network can also be a source of interference — a quick remedy is to change the channel that your gear uses to communicate.

Updating your older computer. If your computer isn't equipped for Wi-Fi, you will have to buy and install a Wi-Fi card that's compatible with your PC. Or, if your computer has an older 802.11b card, you may want to update it to work with your faster 802.11g network. In either case, you can expect to spend up to $100 for a new card.

Privacy concerns. You may be wondering whether information you transmit from your laptop wirelessly can be intercepted. That's possible, and it's also possible for hackers to use your access point to connect to the Internet. For these reasons, all Wi-Fi networks include some provision for encrypting data, and some also provide measures for controlling access to your network. Be sure to configure these security measures when you set up your network.

Installing a Wi-Fi network
If you've decided that Wi-Fi is the home networking technology for you, and you're installing a Wi-Fi network at home, make sure you get everything you need. As we mentioned above, if your computer doesn't already have one, you'll need to install a Wi-Fi network card, which can turn your computer files into radio signals. You'll also need an access point, which receives those radio signals and either connects to your modem to transfer the data to the Internet, or connects to the other A/V or PC gear on your network. The good news is that a small Wi-Fi network is inexpensive

Wi-Fi's present and future
Today, Wi-Fi is mainly used for making easy connections between a home computer and the Internet. But soon, we'll see even friendlier and easier solutions for all kinds of wireless transmissions — including streaming of music and video. This article is just a first step toward understanding Wi-Fi. Keep an eye on the Advisor as we continue to keep you up-to-date on this hot technology!