Buying advice Wireless Access Points

Introduction
Unshackling the computer user from the desk has been a dream in the waiting. Sitting at any location outside your office or home, and connecting to your office network or surfing the Internet via a laptop has been a true road warriors dream. The seamless integration of a sales executives laptop with the network in his office, or accessing the Internet from a local provider has changed the way business functions. Up until a few years back, this was not possible without a host of accessories and software, as each country or state had their own proprietary telecommunication and Internet access software. But now with the development of Wireless LAN or Wireless Local Area Network, and Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity, the road warrior has never had it so easy. Laptops equipped with a processor designed specifically for this functionality can now auto detect the frequency available and log on. This is not only being confined to Laptops, Manufacturers have developed PC Cards that slip onto a Motherboard, thus enabling Desktop Computers to go Wireless. This helps, as additional cable need not be laid to accommodate the new Computers on a network, either at home or at the work place. Not only is it easy now to setup a few machines networked in your home or office but also share common facilities such as Printers, Broadband Connections, Storage, External CD-Readers and Writers.

Traditional v/s Wireless Networking
In order to understand the true benefits of a wireless network, we compare the traditional or wired network structure and compare it to the Wireless one. Traditional networking of computers has involved a group of computers being physically connected with the help of network cables, a switch or router to a central server. To this closed group, Internet access is provided, and users can be connected with each other, to a common server, as well as have access to the Internet while at their desk. Most LAN or Local Area Networks, as they are called have data transfer speeds of 100Mpbs or Mega bits per second to 1Gbps or Giga bits per second. By using radio waves instead of physical cables, a Wireless LAN performs the same function of connecting users in a closed group. The speed of data transfer using Wireless Networks is not as high as those of Wired networks, reaching a maximum of 54 Mega bits per second only. While the speed reduces, this technology gives access to mobility and takes away the headache of maintaining cables and fixed spaces for employees. Both Wired and Wireless use the same networking protocol for transferring data, i.e. TCP/IP or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, so it’s only the last mile connection that gets replaced.

Technology

Generically speaking the term Wireless covers a vast spectrum from small computer networks to the humungous telecommunication infrastructure setup by various telecom operators. Currently, Wireless Networking is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard set by the IEEE or Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. This standard gives a guideline on the protocols involved in a Wireless LAN and the radio frequency that they use. Each development in this standard has given rise to three “versions”, namely 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g. There is no sequencing of the letters as it is not in alphabetical order, but in the order of release of the specifications of these versions. These standards are also commonly referred to as Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity. Most of the specification changes in each of these three standards, are with respect to data transfer throughput or the rate at which data is exchanged.

802.11b
This is the predominant standard for Wireless networks and runs on three channels in a 2.4Ghz spectrum. Based on the DSSS or Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum, this transfers data at the rate of 11Mega bits per second, with a limit of 300 feet. Interference from other devices using the spectrum such as Microwaves and cordless phones is high.

802.11a
Based on the OFDM or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, this runs on 12 channels in the 5Ghz spectrum. Although it transfers data at 54Mega bits per second it has a distance limit of up to 50 feet. It is not compatible with the older 802.11b standard, thus if a network is currently using the 802.11b standard, and wants to upgrade it to 802.11a, new equipment needs to be installed. Has few or minimal interference issues.

802.11g
Is the most secure of the three standards and runs on the 2.4Ghz spectrum, the same as 802.11b. This has the speed of 802.11a, i.e. it transfers data at 54Mega bits per second, and it is backward compatible 802.11b.

Developing further on the above standards, 802.16a or Wi-Max will makes its appearance soon.

The main issue that faces the widespread acceptance of such networks is Security. Companies are wary that outsiders can hack or eavesdrop into their wireless network by using similar equipment and bandwidth. Both, hardware manufacturers and software developers are resolving these issues.

Access Points
Wireless Access Points are the most crucial ink in a wired/wireless network. It is these wireless access points that communicate the data from the wired medium, i.e. the physical cable to seamlessly transfer to the wireless medium, i.e. radio signals broadcasted on a set frequency. Access Points are available in various combinations of a radio base station to transmit the data to the adapters, a gateway for connecting to the Internet, a 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports to connect to Computers with data cables and a USB or Parallel port to connect a printer to be able Wi-Fi enabled. While no manufacturer offers an Access point with all the above features, look for the one that suits your requirement the best.

Definitions

Enclosure Type
The antenna that is present on the access point is defined as an enclosure. While there are products that offer an internal antenna, it is preferable to have an external enclosure, as this will enable the broadcast of the Wi-Fi signal quite effectively.

IEEE 802.11a
This standard enables the transfer of data at 54Mega bits per second and has a distance limit of up to 50 feet. This is not compatible with the older 802.11b standard, thus if a network is currently using the 802.11b standard, and wants to upgrade it to 802.11a, new equipment needs to be installed. Has few or minimal interference issues.

IEEE 802.11b
This is the predominant standard for Wireless networks and runs on three channels in a 2.4Ghz spectrum, while transferring data at the rate of 11Mega bits per second, with a limit of 300 feet. Interference from other devices using the spectrum such as Microwaves and cordless phones is high.

IEEE 802.11g
Is the most secure of the three standards and runs on the 2.4Ghz spectrum, the same as 802.11b. This has the speed of 802.11a, i.e. it transfers data at 54Mega bits per second, and it is backward compatible with 802.11b.

Wireless data transfer rate
The rate at which data gets transferred is based on the three standards that have been laid down. This rate is measured in Mbps or Mega bits per second. 802.11a supports a data transfer of 54 Mbps, 802.11b supports a data transfer of 11Mbps and 802.11g supports a data transfer at both 54Mbps as well as 11Mbps.

LAN Ports
In order for the access point to be connected to an existing network, most offer at least a single 10/100Mbps port. This is required if wireless access capabilities are required to be added onto an existing Ethernet network.

Max network data transfer rate
Hooking the access point onto an existing Ethernet network is quite simple with most of them offering a 10/100 Mbps dual speed network port. This dual port support for both 10Mbps and 100Mbps enables the access point to determine the speed of the network seamlessly, and use the speed of the network without any manual configuration.

DHCP Support
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is used to dynamically assign IP addresses to various devices on a network. With this, no device on the network has a fixed and permanent IP address, and instead of an administrator, software is used to keep a track of the addresses. This makes adding new computers or devices to a network simple and without any specific configuration.

Bluetooth Support
Bluetooth is a short-range radio technology aimed at offering a simple means of communication between various devices. This runs on the 2.45Ghz band and enables data transfer speed of 2Mbps. It’s most popular usage is found in transferring data between PDA’s, Cellular phones and PC’s.

Optimizing PriceRunner
Searching for an Access point for your Wireless network through PriceRunner can be narrowed down based on various search parameters like, Name, Price, Enclosure Type, IEEE 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g support, Wireless Data Transfer Rate, LAN Ports, Max Network Data Transfer Rate, DHCP Support, Bluetooth Support. If you are unsure of the IEEE standard that your network uses, do not select the parameters IEEE 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g support. Instead choose the relevant data transfer speed in the Wireless Data Transfer Rate parameter and the search will bring up the corresponding IEEE standard. This is the best way to look for an Access point for beginners. For those who need to accommodate their existing cable based network, select the LAN Ports parameter. You can choose a maximum of 4 LAN ports and work out economically fitting a new Access port into your existing network topography.

Conclusion
Most wireless networks will be based on the IEEE 802.11g or 802.11b standard, as they are easy and inexpensive to setup and Hot Spots or public zones where Wireless access is free are also based on either of these two standards. Since security is an issue with most wireless network users, look for adapters that support a 128-bit encryption as compared to the 40-bit that comes as the default. With Wi-Fi you can say good-bye to laying data cables in your house or office.