null

What is Wi-Fi?

What is Wi-Fi?

wifi-info-1.jpgWiFi or wireless networking is the technology that originally and finally set our Internet laptops free of wires!

Wireless home networking: Wireless LAN 802.11, WiFi

About ten years ago, people everywhere were putting little wireless networking devices in their home-offices called "wireless routers." These simple, inexpensive routers were the center of a massive turning point in the way we use the internet. From that point on, if you had a wireless router and a compatible laptop, you could roam the house freely, without wires, and still connect to the Internet!

learn.jpg

Since that time, wireless LANs (Local Area Networks) have popped up everywhere. From schools to airports to restaurants and coffee shops, there is almost no public space without a WiFi connection.

Why does one network have so many names?

WiFi, short for Wireless-Fidelity is a play on the audio term Hi-Fi, which is short for High Fidelity.

The 802.11 designation comes from the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The IEEE sets standards for a range of technological protocols, and it uses a numbering system to classify these standards. That designation comes with rules to follow to make sure your laptop's WiFi is compatible with any other WiFi network that you may want to use.

Wireless LAN just refers to a wireless form of Local Area Network

Let's get Technical

How does WiFi work?

WiFi technology uses radio waves to transmit data through the air. A computer's wireless adapter converts the data to radio waves and transmits the signal through the air using an antenna. On the other side, the wireless router or access point receives the signal through its antenna, decodes it and sends data through the Ethernet back to a modem or wired computers.

WiFi Frequency

Wireless networks communicate using radio waves, just like cell phones, walkie-talkies, and televisions. In fact, wireless networking can be thought of as walkie-talkies for computers! Each of these technologies works on a different frequency range, designated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz), meaning oscillations per second. Radios, Televisions and Cell phones each broadcast on registered frequencies. Each service provider registers to broadcast on a particular frequency band so that nobody else is allowed to broadcast on the same band and interfere. For example, currently in the US, Cell phone providers broadcast in the 850Mhz, 900Mhz, 1900Mhz and 2500Mhz range, but are registered in the 700Mhz, 1700Mhz and 2100Mhz bands for possible future use.

When a general consumer broadcasts a radio signal, it is usually on an unlicensed band. These bands are where WiFi networks transmit. Most WiFi networks are on the 2400Mhz, aka. 2.4Ghz band. If you are on an 802.11b or 802.11g network, you are transmitting and receiving in the 2.4Ghz range. If you are on 802.11a, then you are broadcasting at the less crowded 5Ghz range. If you have an 802.11n network, then you may be at either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz as 802.11n can broadcast on either band.

WiFi Speed

WiFi data transmission speeds vary by 802.11 versions.

  • 802.11a: 54Mbps
  • 802.11b: 11Mbps
  • 802.11g: 54Mbps
  • 802.11n: Over 100Mbps

These WiFi data speeds are fast enough for Internet access, but wireless speeds are not quite up to wired network speeds. A wired network can have speeds up to 1000Mbps or 1 Gig-a-bits per second.

Speeds listed are the maximum raw data rate transferred in one direction. Actual speeds will vary according to variables such as the amount of traffic and number of users.

Why does Wi-Fi speed vary?

A wireless LAN works on one channel at a time, so all devices on that channel have to share bandwidth. That means when your computer is communicating with the router, they have to take turns transmitting or "talking" to one another. The process of which effectively cuts the raw bandwidth in half. If more devices are using the same channel, all devices have to share that bandwidth, and so the speed is divided among all that are in use at any given time.

  • weBoost Drive Reach Mobile Signal Booster 470154 weBoost Drive Reach Mobile Vehicle Signal Booster System [470154]
    Add to Cart

    weBoost Drive Reach Mobile Vehicle Signal Booster System [470154]

    weBoost

    NOW ONLY: $499.99
    weBoost Drive Reach - weBoost Most Powerful, In-Vehicle Cell Signal Booster Yet! The Drive Reach is weBoost’s most powerful, in-vehicle cell phone signal booster yet. With its increased uplink output, users get signals up to 2X farther...
    SKU:
    AP470154
    Availability:
    In Stock - Ships in 1-2 Days
    Short Description:
    Strongest weBoost Mobile Signal Booster System. Get A Better Cell Signal On The Road. Picks Up Signals from Further Away.
    NOW ONLY: $499.99
    Add to Cart
  • weBoost Drive Reach RV Cell Signal Booster - 470354 weBoost Drive Reach RV Kit Contents - 470354
    Add to Cart

    weBoost Drive Reach RV Cellular Signal Booster Mobile For RVs [470354]

    weBoost

    NOW ONLY: $519.99
    weBoost Drive Reach RV Cellular Signal Booster System Cell Signal Booster for RVs Enjoy Strong, Reliable Cell Signal Wherever the Road Takes You The weBoost Drive Reach RV Signal Booster System - with its game-changing 29.5 dBm in uplink-output power,...
    SKU:
    AP470354
    Availability:
    In Stock - Usually Ships In 1-2 Days
    Short Description:
    The weBoost Drive Reach RV is the perfect signal booster system for use in your RV while driving or while parked.
    NOW ONLY: $519.99
    Add to Cart
  • Wilson OTR Truck Cellular Antenna weBoost OTR Truck Cellular Antenna
    Add to Cart

    weBoost Drive OTR Truck Cellular Antenna High Gain Mobile [311229]

    Wilson Electronics

    NOW ONLY: $119.99
    Wilson's Newest Over-The-Road Truck Cellular Antenna Off-Road Rated To MIL-STD 810H For Shock & Vibration The Wilson OTR High Gain Mobile Antenna Kit supports 700, 800, 1700, 1850-1900, 2200 MHz Cellular. It is engineered to get the best...
    SKU:
    AE311229
    Availability:
    In Stock - We Usually Ship This Item In 1-2 Days
    Short Description:
    Wilson OTR High Gain Mobile Antenna Kit For Trucks. Connects To Cellular Signal Booster Systems.
    NOW ONLY: $119.99
    Add to Cart
  • Wilson Yagi Directional Antenna With 20 foot Cable & TS-9 Adapter TS-9 / SMA Female Adapter
    Add to Cart

    Wilson WideBand Directional Building Antenna 20ft Cable HotSpot TS-9

    AlternativeWireless.com

    NOW ONLY: $119.95
    Wilson Directional Antenna + 20 Foot Cable + TS-9 Adapter Connect This Antenna to Your Device That Has A TS-9 Port - Such as Many Hot Spots, MiFi & Other Devices This kit combines a Wilson Wide Band Directional Antenna PLUS a 20 Foot Cable Plus...
    SKU:
    AK314411-955822TS9
    Availability:
    In Stock - Usually Ships In 1-2 Days
    Short Description:
    Wilson WideBand Directional Antenna PLUS 20 Foot RG-58 Cable PLUS TS-9 Adapter. The TS-9 Adapter Fits Most HotSpots, MiFi devices with TS-9 Ports.
    NOW ONLY: $119.95
    Add to Cart