Wireless NetworkingWireless Networking

What is Wireless?What is Wireless? Now the term is used to describe modern wireless Now the term is used to describe modern wireless

connections such as those in cellular networks connections such as those in cellular networks and wireless broadband Internet. In modern and wireless broadband Internet. In modern usage, wireless is a method of communication usage, wireless is a method of communication that uses low-powered radio waves to transmit that uses low-powered radio waves to transmit data between devices. data between devices. • Wireless refers to communication without cables or Wireless refers to communication without cables or

cords, chiefly using radio frequency and infrared waves. cords, chiefly using radio frequency and infrared waves. • Common uses Common uses include include the wireless networking of the wireless networking of

computers and cellular mobile phones.computers and cellular mobile phones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirelesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless

Wi-FiWi-Fi Wi-Fi was developed to be used for mobile Wi-Fi was developed to be used for mobile

computing devices, such as laptops, in LANs, but computing devices, such as laptops, in LANs, but is now increasingly used for more applications.is now increasingly used for more applications.• Including Internet and VoIP phone accessIncluding Internet and VoIP phone access• GamingGaming• Basic connectivity of consumer electronics such as Basic connectivity of consumer electronics such as

televisions and DVD players, or digital cameras. televisions and DVD players, or digital cameras. • There are even more standards in development that will There are even more standards in development that will

allow Wi-Fi to be used by cars in highways in support of allow Wi-Fi to be used by cars in highways in support of an Intelligent Transportation System to increase safety, an Intelligent Transportation System to increase safety, gather statistics, and enable mobile commerce IEEE gather statistics, and enable mobile commerce IEEE 802.11p802.11p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11

Bluetooth TechnologyBluetooth Technology Bluetooth is an industrial Bluetooth is an industrial

specification for wireless specification for wireless personal area networks personal area networks (PANs), also known as IEEE (PANs), also known as IEEE 802.15.1. Bluetooth provides 802.15.1. Bluetooth provides a way to connect and a way to connect and exchange information exchange information between devices such as between devices such as personal digital assistants personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, (PDAs), mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras and video game cameras and video game consoles via a secure, globally consoles via a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio unlicensed short-range radio frequency.frequency.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetoothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

Bluetooth Contd.Bluetooth Contd. Bluetooth is a radio standard and Bluetooth is a radio standard and

communications protocol primarily designed for communications protocol primarily designed for low power consumption, with a short range low power consumption, with a short range (power class dependent: 1 meter, 10 meters, 100 (power class dependent: 1 meter, 10 meters, 100 meters) based around low-cost transceiver meters) based around low-cost transceiver microchips in each device.microchips in each device.

Bluetooth lets these devices communicate with Bluetooth lets these devices communicate with each other when they are in range. The devices each other when they are in range. The devices use a radio communications system, so they do use a radio communications system, so they do not have to be in line of sight of each other, and not have to be in line of sight of each other, and can even be in other rooms, so long as the can even be in other rooms, so long as the received transmission is powerful enough.received transmission is powerful enough.

Bluetooth ApplicationsBluetooth Applications Wireless control of and communication between a cell phone and a hands Wireless control of and communication between a cell phone and a hands

free headset or car kit. This is the most popular use. free headset or car kit. This is the most popular use. Wireless networking between PCs in a confined space and where little Wireless networking between PCs in a confined space and where little

bandwidth is required. bandwidth is required. Wireless communications with PC input and output devices, the most Wireless communications with PC input and output devices, the most

common being the mouse, keyboard and printer. common being the mouse, keyboard and printer. Transfer of files between devices via OBEX. Transfer of files between devices via OBEX. Transfer of contact details, calendar appointments, and reminders between Transfer of contact details, calendar appointments, and reminders between

devices via OBEX. devices via OBEX. Replacement of traditional wired serial communications in test equipment, Replacement of traditional wired serial communications in test equipment,

GPS receivers and medical equipment. GPS receivers and medical equipment. For remote controls where infrared was traditionally used. For remote controls where infrared was traditionally used. Sending small advertisements from Bluetooth enabled advertising Sending small advertisements from Bluetooth enabled advertising

hoardings to other, discoverable, Bluetooth devices. hoardings to other, discoverable, Bluetooth devices. Wireless control of a games console, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation Wireless control of a games console, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation

3 will both use Bluetooth technology for their wireless controllers. 3 will both use Bluetooth technology for their wireless controllers. Sending commands and software to the LEGO Mindstorms NXT instead of Sending commands and software to the LEGO Mindstorms NXT instead of

infrared. infrared.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bluetoothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bluetooth

Bluetooth vs. WiFiBluetooth vs. WiFi Bluetooth is in a variety of new products such as phones, printers, Bluetooth is in a variety of new products such as phones, printers,

modems, and headsets, to name a few. Bluetooth is acceptable for modems, and headsets, to name a few. Bluetooth is acceptable for situations when two or more devices are in close proximity with situations when two or more devices are in close proximity with each other and don't require high bandwidth. Bluetooth is most each other and don't require high bandwidth. Bluetooth is most commonly used with cell phones and handheld computing devices, commonly used with cell phones and handheld computing devices, either using a Bluetooth headset or transferring files from either using a Bluetooth headset or transferring files from phones/PDAs to computers. Since Bluetooth uses short-range phones/PDAs to computers. Since Bluetooth uses short-range radio frequencies, it is not as effective for setting up networks that radio frequencies, it is not as effective for setting up networks that can be accessed from remote locations as with Wi-Fi.can be accessed from remote locations as with Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi is more analogous to the traditional Ethernet network, and Wi-Fi is more analogous to the traditional Ethernet network, and requires configuration to set up shared resources, transmit files, requires configuration to set up shared resources, transmit files, set up audio links (e.g. headsets and hands-free devices), whereas set up audio links (e.g. headsets and hands-free devices), whereas Bluetooth devices advertise all services they actually provide; this Bluetooth devices advertise all services they actually provide; this makes the utility of the service that much more accessible, makes the utility of the service that much more accessible, without the need to worry about network addresses, permissions without the need to worry about network addresses, permissions and all the other considerations that go with typical networks.and all the other considerations that go with typical networks.

Bluetooth vs. WiFiBluetooth vs. WiFi Wi-Fi uses the same radio frequencies as Bluetooth, but with higher power Wi-Fi uses the same radio frequencies as Bluetooth, but with higher power

consumption resulting in a stronger connection. As mentioned earlier, Wi-Fi consumption resulting in a stronger connection. As mentioned earlier, Wi-Fi is sometimes called "wireless ethernet". Although this description is is sometimes called "wireless ethernet". Although this description is inaccurate, it provides an indication of Wi-Fi's capabilities. Wi-Fi is better inaccurate, it provides an indication of Wi-Fi's capabilities. Wi-Fi is better suited for setting up networks as it enables a faster connection and has suited for setting up networks as it enables a faster connection and has better security than Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is also becoming increasingly popular better security than Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is also becoming increasingly popular and widespread; it is a standard feature of most new laptop computers, and widespread; it is a standard feature of most new laptop computers, and is a straightforward expansion to desktop computers not already Wi-Fi and is a straightforward expansion to desktop computers not already Wi-Fi enabled (eg. through the use of a USB dongle).enabled (eg. through the use of a USB dongle).

As a traditional networking medium, Wi-Fi is more versatile, but harder to As a traditional networking medium, Wi-Fi is more versatile, but harder to configure. Most users need good know-how (or an IT department) to get configure. Most users need good know-how (or an IT department) to get things set up. For this reason, Wi-Fi falls well short of the standard for ad-things set up. For this reason, Wi-Fi falls well short of the standard for ad-hoc networking, one of the basic tenets of the Bluetooth framework.hoc networking, one of the basic tenets of the Bluetooth framework.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetoothhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

In ConclusionIn Conclusion Wireless technology may seem like the next step in Wireless technology may seem like the next step in

networking, to an extent cannot be used to their full networking, to an extent cannot be used to their full potential due to interference from weather or other potential due to interference from weather or other phenomena that may alter radio waves.phenomena that may alter radio waves.

There are many who are refining and developing wireless There are many who are refining and developing wireless networking to make it global such as WiMAX, that is also a networking to make it global such as WiMAX, that is also a complimentcompliment to Wi-Fi and may help expand Wi-Fi’s to Wi-Fi and may help expand Wi-Fi’s capabilities as well.capabilities as well.

One can look to the future and see wireless technology as One can look to the future and see wireless technology as being a competitor in networking because of how quickly being a competitor in networking because of how quickly many business are trying to take advantage of them. Ex. many business are trying to take advantage of them. Ex. Bluetooth in cellular technology, in computers, cars, etc. Bluetooth in cellular technology, in computers, cars, etc. Wi-Fi for schools, WiMAX for entire cities.Wi-Fi for schools, WiMAX for entire cities.