Wireless networking - CallumPilling

Wireless networking - CallumPilling

1. Wireless networks are another means by which data can be exchanged between a computer and a network, including the internet. A wireless network is any network servicing computers or other devices (e.g. mobile phones), in which the connections do not use cables of any kind. Wireless communication usually uses radio waves, but infrared communication is also used.

2. In wireless networking all devices using the network need to have a wireless network interface card through which they gain access to the network. The card is used to transmit data across the network and to receive incoming data from the network.

3. Wireless networks have many advantages – probably the most important is mobility; people are no longer tied to desks and wires.

4. The network itself will contain routers and network access points

5. data – Any kind of information that has been formatted in a specifi c way. Different types of data include audio, video, images and monitoring signals, as well as text.

   • devices/components – Used as a generic term to mean computers, peripheral hardware, mobile telephones, manufacturing plant, environment monitors and many other thing
     • Peripheral – Any device, such as a printer, attached to a computer to expand its functionality.
       • codec – A device or program used to encode or decode data
         • internet packets – A formatted block of data sent over the networks and the internet. A packet contains the addresses of send and destination, the data and error checking.

6. Alternative transmission methods

   • Details
     • Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables are basic pairs of cables twisted together. Shielded twisted pair (STP) cables are similar but have a foil shielding
       • Solid wire core separated from a copper-braided outer cable by a plastic insulation sheath. The inner cable transmits the data and the outer cable connects to eart
         • Glass or plastic cables which use total internal reflection of light to transmit data. Normally uses LED or laser visible light, although infrared has also been used
   • Maximum data transfer rate
     • 250 Mbps
       • 1,000 Mbps (or more for category table 7)
         • 2.4 Gbps (higher has been achieved in laboratory testing
   • maximum range
     • 100m
       • 100m
         • 50km
   • benefits
     • twisting cancels out some interference.very ow cost and adaptable.
       • fast and reliable
         • Fast. Works over long distances. Little interference.
   • limitations
     • slower and with less capacity than othercables, and can only be used over short distances. Susceptible to noise.
       • Costs more than UTP/ STP. Susceptible to noise
         • Complex connection and termination equipment
   • Example of how it is used
     • Analogue telephone network
       • Connection to cable TV networks. Aerial/dish connection to TV.
         • The cable networks use fibre from their source to the distribution panels in the street. From there they use coaxial cable to individual households