Evolution of Wireless Computer Technology Term Paper

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Fixed network stations (i.e. desktop computers) connect through a USB port adapter, while laptops generally employ a wireless PCMCIA card at a nominal cost. In the last few years, these pieces of equipment have been replaced by many laptop manufacturers with internal wireless capabilities included as standard equipment in higher-end laptops.

Modern Wireless Networking Options and Recommendations:

Modern wireless computer technology transmits data at 2.4GHzor 5 GHz, at 54mb/sec to 108mb/sec, which enables much larger volumes of data than the frequencies employed by cell phones (Wilson, 2007). Still, wireless data transfer rates are limited in comparison to the fastest hard-wired connections, which can now transmit data as fast as 1000mb/sec. Even within these limitations, wireless computing technology is now a viable option for most business applications, with certain specific exceptions.

Industries that routinely handle extremely high volumes of data may overload wireless networks, particularly where many remote computers share the network. Other industries require the highest level of security, beyond ordinary encryption. Wireless networks can now be made relatively secure from external intrusions, to the extent that all but the most sensitive data may be safely transmitted. However, because wireless connections lack the physical barrier of hard wires, they cannot hope to match the highest security levels achievable with hard-wired networks, which cannot be infiltrated passively by intercepting radio waves. In addition to higher security than achievable through wireless connections, T-1 lines allow hundreds of different users to share the network without slowing down transmission rates, except where users must download extremely large files, such as MP3s (Franklin, 2007)

For all but the most sensitive data, Linksys Business Series WAP4400N Pre-

802.11n Wireless Access Point is a suitable unit, making use of one of the very latest

IEEE frequency assignments. Likewise, the Apple Airport Extreme Base MA073LL/a employs 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g, the other recently designated wireless frequency (Wilson, 2007).

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Both pieces of equipment are affordable, at approximately $100-$155, and approximately $120 per unit, respectively.

Probably one of the most meaningful changes in the latest generations of wireless networking equipment is that it is now within the capability of most moderately proficient computer users to install and configure without expert assistance. Instead of the cumbersome software of the earliest available versions, the wireless networking equipment available today all feature their own built in web browsers with straight forward Internet connection and configuration guides that make setting up wireless networks as simple as other program installation procedures familiar to most computer users (Franklin, 2007).

Where wireless technology still falls short of the comparable capabilities of hard- wired networks concerns the relationship between published performance ratings and actual limitations in use. Manufacturers' ratings pertain to ideal conditions without taking into account practical limitations of the physical surroundings in the environments where networks must operate. Physical barriers such as walls and other office equipment that emit electromagnetic waves may decrease the published maximum transmission distance of 300 feet to 150 feet or less, depending on the environment. For this reason, a survey of signal strength capabilities on location is a necessary step before selecting wireless networking over the best available hard-wired alternatives.

Prior to the introduction of the latest equipment transmitting on the 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11n frequencies, many business environments required the use of a signal repeater to enable 802.11b signals to reach their expected range. Today, wireless networking offers an economical alternative to hard-wired networks without compromising specifications of data transfer speed and information security, except for use with the most demanding computer applications, or where the network must accommodate hundreds of simultaneous users. The only other advantage to hard-wired networking pertains to safeguarding the most highly sensitive data from unauthorized external interception......

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