Bluetooth Technology Is Likely To Be The Answer You Are Looking For!

Several large and well-known companies developed Bluetooth as an industry standard. The standard was introduced in order to specify how hand held devices, computers and other peripherals would communicate with one another without the need for cables. It uses short distance radio signals in order to generate communication between one device and another in close proximity. It is already widely used around the world in particular in bluetooth headsets, used for speaking on your cell phone when driving. However, data can be passed between any bluetooth devices within range.

Bluetooth is the simplest and most widely available technology of its kind. This means that manufacturers can build bluetooth-enabled devices quickly and effectively and pass this saving directly on to consumers. It is also extremely convenient and bluetooth devices are usually incredibly small. This is why it is used in hands free headsets for use with cell phones.

Because bluetooth is the industry standard, this means that it is widely accepted and regularly used by companies from all over the world for many different reasons. Because it is so easily accessible and the transfer of data from one bluetooth device to another is completely free it is the most popular option. It is also incredibly easy for consumers to use and in many cases it is simply a case of turning the bluetooth devices on and then sending the data as required.

Due to 128-bit encryption and adaptive frequency hopping, bluetooth is a secure method of transporting data over short distances. Whether you want to transfer files from your notebook to your computer or you want to talk on your cell phone while you are driving, bluetooth technology is likely to be the answer you are looking for. Businesses and individuals all around the world, use bluetooth on a regular basis.

Lavinia Snider is the editor of Bluetooth Master. Find out all about bluetooth, wireless cell phones, wireless headphones, and more

Bluetooth gps vs. cf gps

For some people there is a debate over which to choose a Bluetooth gps receiver or a compact flash gps receiver. I have used both so I am writing from experience. There seem to be quite a few advantages a Bluetooth gps receiver has over a cf gps receiver.

The main advantage would be versatility, you can use a Bluetooth gps receiver with a Bluetooth pda as well as a compatible bluetooth mobile phone whereas with a cf gps receiver you are limited to only a compatible pda as mobile phones usually don't have a cf slot.

Another advantage is with regards to battery life, some bluetooth gps receivers have exceptional battery life lasting up to 26 hours, some mobile phones also have a long life, although a pda won't last anywhere near that, when using a cf gps receiver the pda battery is usually depleted faster as the it has to also power the cf receiver since the cf receiver can't work on its own

The third consideration is convenience, one can find some new gps receivers that are extremely small, the holux gpslim 236 comes to mind, because of their size and sensitivity you can stick them in your pocket and still get a very good signal so you don't have anything sticking out of the pda as is the case with a cf gps receiver.

Another thing to consider is that a lot of newer pdas seem to be loosing the compact flash interface, a good example is the fujitsu siemens loox 720, it has being rumoured that the loox 720 replacement won't be including a cf interface. My conclusion would be it seems that manufacturers don't consider the cf interface that important to include in newer pdas, kind of like being phased out so it might not be a good idea to invest in cf devices

My final argument would be that when it comes to using a gps receiver for driving, it is easier to position a bluetooth gps receiver in a convenient position where it can receive a better signal than with a cf gps receiver because since the cf gps receiver is fixed to the pda, you are limited by how much you can move the pda around and still have a good view of the pda screen.

Based on all these facts I would consider a bluetooth gps receiver a better choice to a cf gps receiver.

Francis Ononye writes about bluetooth gps receivers at http://www.bluetoothgpstips.com

Misconceptions about Wireless Networking

I was browsing through my local MegaMart recently. I belong to the group of men who find themselves in the Electronics Department or some other manly area of the store while the wife is shopping for groceries. It seems we are better off out of their way. As I was browsing, a store associate was dealing with a customer near the wireless routers and associated goodies. I know the associate well. He knows that I'm "in the business". He was trying his best to satisfy the customer's needs. He was not having very much luck so he asked me for my help.

It seems that the customer, who was with his wife, wanted a 50 foot USB cable. Now the MegaMart has loads of stuff, but a 50 foot USB cable? That's a stretch. Here's where I get stupid and jump into the conversation. I asked him why he needed such a long cable. He said that he wanted to hook it to his child's laptop. He said the laptop wasn't getting a good wireless signal. He wanted to connect a USB wireless adapter to the cable and get it closer to his "router".

Now this is a "solution" that I haven't run into in my experience. He told me he thought that if he could get the USB adapter he bought closer to the "router" he could get better reception. Not necessarily a bad idea. I knew that the cable wouldn't connect to the adapter. If you know the anatomy of a USB cable it has two types of connectors. An "A" connector is at the PC end and a "B" connector is on the peripheral end. So I get nosey. I asked him about the type of house they lived in and if it was single or two story. It was a single story ranch. Did they have a kitchen or bathroom between the laptop's location and the "router" and other pertinent about features of his house that would reduce his signal strength. He gave me a "no" to all my questions.

Now I ask "What kind of router do you have?" We are standing in front of a shelf loaded with all sorts of 802.11g and 802.11n (draft) routers. I ask him if it is one of these brands. He says he has an "insert name of a major high speed cable broadband provider here" router. You know the one I'm talking about. It starts with a "C". I personally use this provider. I'm relatively familiar with them. I've done plenty of installations with the provider and I feel I have some expertise regarding their service and products.

I am not aware that this company provides wireless routers to their customers. If so, then where's mine? He assures me that he has a router provided by this service. I then ask him about how his network is set up. I'm looking for network topology here. He says he has one desktop PC connected by Cat 5 Ethernet cable going to his "router". He also has a coax cable coming from the wall going to his "router". He says there are no other ports on the back. "So this is you cable modem", I ask. He replied, "No, it's my router." If he only has a cable modem, then how is his laptop connecting now and then. We'll find out later on in the article. At this point I hadn't made any mental connections.

I'm really confused now. I wish that the sales associate hadn't gotten me involved. Sometimes trying to help isn't what it's cracked up to be. This guy really wants the cable modem to be a wireless router. Nothing I say will convince him. After all, he is getting on the internet now and then.

Now here's where I tick the guy off. I keep asking about his "router" trying to get some kind of picture of his system in my mind. He keeps getting more and more aggravated as I keep asking questions. I'm only trying to help. He stomps off. His poor wife looks apologetic. His problem is unresolved. I have just made his blacklist. The store associate apologizes for pulling me into the situation. I should know better.

In project management there is always a "Lesson's Learned" document written at the end of a project. I'm not going into that level of detail. My lesson is simple. People live in their own realities. This guy is convinced that his cable modem is a router. I knew it wasn't. I should have left him believing that when I realized he didn't want to hear anything else. I tried too hard.

Now why was his child getting any reception on his laptop? I believe he was on the edge of a neighborhood hotspot. That's the only solution I could come up with. It could be the reason that the customer wanted the 50 foot USB cable was to get the USB wireless adapter closer to the hotspot. Not the modem. He might have thought it was cheaper to buy a cable than buy a router. In that case I can understand why he got so aggravated. He could have known that he was "stealing" signal and was feeling a little guilty about it. It could be that he did think the modem was a router. Who knows at this point?

There are a lot of misconceptions regarding wireless networks out there. If you want more information on wireless networking, please read my article "A Simple Guide to Wireless Networking".

Randolph M. Wells Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator IT Training and Certification Consultant IT Project Management Specialist Download This Free Report That Reveals Every Single Tool Mike Filsaime Uses To Run His Million Dollar Online Business Get the Free Resource Report Here! Profit Master Blog

Bluetooth Now Poised To Fulfill Its Promise

No question about it, Bluetooth is very handy thanks to its improved integration with computers, cell phones and automobiles.

When Bluetooth first appeared about five years ago, the hype far outstripped its usefulness. The ability to eliminate the tangles of cords and cables was very alluring. Unfortunately, cost and complexity almost brought the technology to its knees.

Now its back, alive and well, fulfilling its promise as a useful tool in a variety of settings.

Europe was its early adopter and it is standard on nearly all European cell phones. They have adopted Bluetooth enabled phones, laptops, wireless keyboards, mice and more.

Sexy Headsets:

Cingular and T-Mobile wireless carriers use the same technology as their European counterparts and thus offer Bluetooth enabled devices for their customers. Bluetooth is rarer from Sprint and Verizon Communications which are based on North American technologies.

One major boost for adoption of Bluetooth enabled mobile phones will come from State and local governments. Many new laws and ordinances have been adopted or are in various stages of implementation that will levy fines for driving and using a hand held cell phone. The push for hands-free calling will move Bluetooth forward in the marketplace.

Acura TL now offers Bluetooth integrated into the automobile allowing the driver to use the cars stereo system as a speakerphone and displays information on the dashboard. Bluetooth car kits are now available from Motorola, Nokia, Parrot and others for about $100.

Early teething problems included high cost and poor battery life and made it unattractive for handsets. But now Logitechs Mobile Bluetooth handset can be had for about $50. The $140 Jabra BT800, which lets you control many cell-phone functions on the headset, offers six hours of talk time and five days of standby. After that, you can recharge by running a USB cable from the headset into a laptop so you don't need to take a charger with you. A headset on the way from Plantronics will come with adapters that allow charging from most phone adapters or from an AA battery.

Bluetooth Linking:

Beyond mobile phones, Bluetooth is beginning to make inroads into other aspects of wireless communication. Although Windows support is somewhat primitive by current standards, the technology is standard on Apple Macintoshes and optional on other products. Apple uses the latest, faster version of Bluetooth. If Mac detects a Bluetooth enabled keyboard and mouse during startup, it will link to them automatically.

PalmOne is also a big supporter of Bluetooth. PalmOne's software overcomes most of the Windows difficulties and allows their handheld devices to sync and swap files with a Windows laptop over Bluetooth. Making sync work with a new Mac PowerBook is even easier. As for Microsoft's primitive Bluetooth world, it is possible to get a Pocket PC to sync with Windows over Bluetooth, but is only for the technically savvy.

Bluetooth Worth Waiting For:

Bluetooth still falls short. Early promoters envisioned that you would be able to walk up to a printer with your laptop of PDA, click a button, and print. Were still waiting for that one. Bluetooth printers are rare but we can assume that the advent of Bluetooth enabled digital camera phones will spur this technology further and make for easy printing of those treasured moments.

The technology savvy users are an impatient lot. If it doesnt catch on right away they move on to something newer and different. If anything, Bluetooth has proven that acceptance can take a while. But isnt it worth the wait?

We technology watchers are an impatient lot who tend to give up on anything that doesn't catch on right away. Bluetooth has proved once again that acceptance can take a long time -- and that sometimes it's worth the wait.

Raymond Klesc - Global Value Connect ( http://www.globalvalueconnect.com ) has been providing the best value in telecommunication products and services for the home or office since 1995. If you want to cut your telephone bill in half register today for our free eBook entitled "Telephone Bill Saving Tips for Home and Office" and is available at: http://www.globalvalueconnect.com/Saving_Tips.htm.info@globalvalueconnect.com

Understanding Wireless LAN Networking and Long-Range Wireless LAN Communication

Understanding wireless and wireless LAN networking enable you to properly plan and design the effective deployment of wireless networks be it home-networking or using outdoor long-range WLAN for rural internet connectivity.

Wireless networking allows computers and peripherals to communicate using radio frequency (RF) transmissions rather than over conventional network cabling. Using wireless Ethernet adaptors, any device capable of being used on a regular computer network can be accessed over a wireless connection for task ranging from file and printer sharing to multimedia and internet access.

Wireless Ethernet Technology is outlined by a set of standards called IEEE 802.11. Although other wireless technologies and protocols exist, the term wireless is generally used in reference to the IEEE 802.11 standards.

The communication protocols for wireless networking are defined by the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, which incorporates the 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g protocols (although other standards are in progress). The most widely used of these is 802.11b (Wireless-B), which is more reliable than the faster 802.11a (Wireless-A) standard, and is more cost-effective to produce and operate as well. Wireless-G or 802.11g, is a newer protocol that is becoming more widely adopted by vendors as it is capable of speeds up to 54Mbps rather than the 11Mbps of 802.11b devices.

It is no longer rare to find devices that support all three standards, but generally, Wireless-G is designed to be backwards compatible with Wireless-B devices. Thus Wireless-B and Wireless-A devices will not work with each other, and neither are they compatible with Wireless-G devices.

Some manufacturers offer models with dual-band (Wireless A & G/B) auto-switch mode for greater communication flexibility. Network planners can plan their network deployment by using a combination of Wireless-B,G or A.

Wireless 802.11 standard utilizes the license-free radio frequency bands around the 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz ranges. The 802.11b and 802.11g protocols use the 2.4GHz band whereas 802.11a uses the 5GHz band. Wireless-B is by far the most popular standard, with the newer Wireless-G (802.11g) and Wireless-A (802.11a) closing in fast.

Wi-FI or Wireless Fidelity is a certification program established by the Wi-Fi Alliance to ensure interoperability of wireless devices. Originally, the term Wi-Fi was intended to be interchangeable with 802.11b, but more recently it has broadened to cover any 802.11 network.

WLAN or Wireless Local Area Network, is a computer network ?or part thereof- that incorporates wireless devices. In a WLAN network, a conventional LAN set-up can be extended to include wireless devices using an access point. Although wireless networks can be completely independent of conventional network, WLAN usually forms part of an existing wired network.

Wireless Transmission ranges vary greatly and lowering the bandwidth will increase the coverage area, a standard 802.11b or 802.11g device will typically have a range of about 30m indoor and up to 120m line-of-sight outdoors. The main reason for the variance between indoors and line-of-sight coverage is that walls and other objects do impede the wireless signal. Because wireless transmissions are actually low frequency radio waves, they will pass through walls and other solid matter relatively easy. As distance increases, the throughput decreases. This is because lower signal strength result in dropped packets and result in a general decrease in network efficiency.

Understanding the technology in wireless and wireless LAN/WAN networking allows the planner the flexibility of using wired and wireless networks. There are areas that wired networks can not go owing to distance, terrain or topography thus if the planner has knowledge on wireless LAN networking, the simpler, faster and easy it is to deploy an effective wireless network.

Understanding how wireless LAN works will also help you plan deployment of a rural wireless internet access service. Wireless LAN is a very cost-effective solution for much needed internet connectivity requirements in far, remote villages. WISP is a good and potential business in remote areas.

Either you use commercial "off-the-shelf" WLAN gadget, tweak and improve its performance by using higher-gain outdoor antenna or buy a true-outdoor long-range Wireless LAN. For assured network performance, service-quality and less network downtime, we recommend using the latter.

The author , Allan Amps is a telecom sales & marketing employee with passion and interest for rural, remote internet connectivity solutions, wireless gadgets and internet home-based business.

He recently established a website - http://www.tech-ware-tips-startup-internet-business.com and http://www.advanced-multi-profit-site.com with the aim of generating income out of his interest and passion. The goal is to reach people yearning to start their own home-based business by providing valuable tips, guides and info of the best available solutions and programs that one can go into.

Wireless Networking: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It, Part 1

Wireless networking involves a computer network that transmits data. It is commonly called WiFi. Wireless networking is used to transmit internet service to a large number of customers from a central internet service provider. This is the result of technology advancing to meet the demands of the consumer when it comes to computers and communications. Wireless networking has dramatically changed the way we access the internet, and the impact it has on our lines.

Everything plugged into the network can work together, such as your printer working with your computer to print something you accessed on the internet. Wireless networking relies on a router to receive the transmitted materials and read them. The same router brings information in and sends it back out. A wireless router can handle large volumes of data in just a few seconds, allowing everything to operate very quickly for you.

Wireless networking has lead to millions of individuals relying on their computer for work and for organizing their life. Many of us turn to the internet for everything. We read the news, shop, check the weather, get directions, compare prices, read reviews, even watch movies and listen to music. Wireless networking has allowed the internet to grow and to give us this access to this type of information anytime we want it.

The most common type of wireless networking is the Local Area Network, known as LAN. This involves using radio waves to transmit the data between computers on the same network. Global System for Mobile Communication, or GSM, has three systems ? the base station, operational station, and support system. They one you will use is going to depend on your wireless networking needs as well as what is available from service providers in your area. It is likely you with have a LAN server. Both types are effective and the choice is up to you.

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Wireless Networking: The Cutting Edge Of Technology, Part 2

The new technologies that are available to construct, and connect to wireless networks is unbelievable. You can connect to a wireless network with a laptop through Wi-Fi, GSM, and even through satellite data cards. Many businesses are creating free ?hotspots? that allow their patrons access to the internet to conduct business, or just send a friend an email. Many car manufacturers are now offering satellite broadband internet access from within a certain distance of the car, so that people can get an internet connection while they are traveling. Many new types of cell phones and PDAs will allow you to check your email, get your contacts, your calendar, and even access certain web pages right from the phone. Right now many web pages are not easily viewed, or fully functional on a cell phone or PDA, but many programmers and web designers are working on making their web sites more accessible from all forms of wireless devices.

Many other forms of wireless devices are now being developed that will allow information to be obtained in real-time over great distances. RFID has revolutionized process chain management, because now businesses can track their product from manufacturing to delivery, and everywhere in between. New technologies have been developed recently that allow RFID wireless networks to be formed that can calculate distances between the different devices contained within the network. This will allow a sort of ?smart? network to be formed that will allow the devices to ?know? when one is on the move, or if one has been lost. Another very important development in recent years is the use of GPS tracking and navigation. Now we have the ability to know exactly where our products are, and where they are going so we can ensure shipment delivery in a timely manner. When all of these wireless networks are tied together an efficient and productive business can be sure to follow. Wireless networks are a must in this new on-demand world that we live in. If you do not keep up with the times, then you will be quickly left behind.:

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Wireless Networking: The Cutting Edge Of Technology, Part 1

One of the fastest growing and most exciting technologies these days is devices that use some sort of wireless network. Wireless networking has allowed almost anyone to use many different devices in a way that not too long ago was unheard of. The most exciting thing about wireless networking is that the development of new technologies is only just beginning.

A new wireless protocol, 802.11N, should be released later this year, which will allow wireless networks to connect over longer distances, and at faster speeds. With this new advancement companies will be able to allow all of their users to connect to the network wirelessly. This new protocol, coupled with recent advancements in secure connections to wireless networks, will allow businesses to perform tasks wirelessly that they have never been able to do before. Companies utilizing this new protocol will also be able to save quite a bit of money trying to hard wire their offices, by using less wireless routers to do the same task that wired routers did in the past.

Wireless networks have become a very important part of many businesses, because you can construct a wireless network that is separate from your main network that only allows visitors access to the internet and not to any of your precious information. This will also allow you to setup places for visitors to connect to the internet that do not require a desk to be setup or a dedicated computer setup for their access. Instead you can utilize a sitting area and a laptop to achieve the same functionality, without the security risks of someone connecting directly into your network. Many of the reasons why wireless networks were a faux pas in the past have been addressed and now wireless networks are looked at more and more as a viable alternative to a hard wired network. The best thing about wireless networks is that many new technologies are being released every year that extend the functionality and availability of this fascinating new technology.
For more information: UK Broadband Supplier, Wireless Broadband Modems, UK Broadband Deals

Wireless Networking

A wireless network is a communication facility that uses radio as their carrier or physical layer. The basic network consists of multiple stations communicating in a frequency range of 2.4GHz and 4.9GHz. Wireless networking is the state-of-art technology and an alternative to such networks which is hard wired by physical copper or fiber optic cables. Such a network has its advantages and disadvantages, compared to a wired network. The major advantage in having a wireless network is its mobility and elimination of cabling. Potential disadvantage is interferences due to weather, other wireless devices, or obstructions, like walls. It is gaining much demand in both home and business applications.

The two-way radio communication works on High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands. The HF band ranges from 3 to 30 MHz, with VHF at 30 MHz to 300MHz band, while UHF belongs to a bandwidth of 300 MHz and 3.0 GHz.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a wireless connectivity limited to local area networking. It utilises the same functions as that of a wired system, such as the Local Area Network (LAN). WLAN uses the spread spectrum technology on radio waves for communication between devices within a limited area. This facilitates the user to move around within the broad coverage area, and still remain connected.

Mobile communication implies communication through radio network. The most obvious example is establishing a wireless connectivity between a mobile network and the mobile handset or mobile terminals. The connection between the base stations to the core network of a mobile phone operator, in surprisingly high numbers, is realised through radio links. More-over, Wireless Local area Networks (WLAN) is gaining a major growth in the market today, with radio networking in office, at home and for public access. The base of Fixed Wireless Broadband is formed by the combination of radio link and WLAN technologies, being a move from proprietary into standard solutions. A further example could be set, when realising that the vendors have come up with a variety of solutions, where a single Internet connection can be utilised by more computers. This all have one thing in common - the computers need to be networked.

We presently see the advent of seamless wireless data and voice communication. The key capability of the next generation wireless communication would be Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which forms a part of WLAN. The Quality-of-Service (QoS) is one of the planning issues in VoIP over WLAN. These issues are mainly, call control, network capacity, provisioning, architecture and others. For optimisation of this networking, the issues need to be looked into on a WLAN-by-WLAN basis. To meet the requirements of three main market segments is a challenge by itself in deployment parameters of WLANs. These market segments are:

1. Residential, small office and home office applications. 2. Private networking on VoIP WLAN. 3. VoIP over WLAN interfacing the public telephone network.

Following are the benefits of WLAN technology:

 There are situations where, wired connectivity between stations becomes costly, inconvenient or impossible. For example, cable-lay becomes a very costly proposition in a large building, where the stations are situated.

 In order to connect two buildings, separated by some physical, legal or financial hindrance, you can either ask your telecommunication authority to supply you with necessary links, or you can use WLAN application for the connectivity.

 WLAN can be used as a temporary measure for communication, which is in place for a specific time only. For example, such a network is suitable for trade shows or a convention, where laying cables for an Ethernet network becomes superfluous.

 In certain buildings, governed by building codes, laying cable becomes illegal. WLAN finds a perfect application in that situation.

 The WLAN technology is very attractive to home owners with several computers. A network could be set up without drilling holes in the wall and laying the cables for connectivity.

 A mobile laptop owner can always remain connected to the network, whether he is in the hallway, lobbies, cafeterias, classrooms or in a meeting.

 An easy way to remain connected to the internet at public places.

Etc

If you are in the middle of a public place, like, the airport, coffee shop, library or hotel, the chances are that you are already connected by wireless network. Increasing number of cities are using WiFi or 802.11 networking technology to provide low cost internet service to the residents. A time is coming when wireless networking will enable you to access internet just about anywhere anytime, without the use of wires. The mobile operators have started to provide such a wireless internet service, through a wireless network card, which goes in your notebook. This renders you mobile to any place you go and even to places in the world with a roaming account.

Security in wireless network can be divided into two parts: Authentication and Encryption. While authentication mechanisms can be used to identify a client in the network and the other-way-round, encryption makes it sure that it is not possible to intercept and decode data being transmitted.

There are two major primary security issues in wireless networking:

1. Access - Provide adequate access grants to the selected people who can use the network, without which, anyone in the vicinity could gain access into your network.

2. Privacy - Making sure that your network is not visible to anyone else. If this is not taken care of, anyone in the vicinity can watch everything you do on the network.

The total network is secured by administrator password, which is required to log into the devices, networked. The routers and access points in the network, cannot be accessed without such secured passwords. As soon as a WLAN is set up the first thing you want to do is to change the default password to something of your own. Without such a password the only way to access the network is to reset the total hardware to its factory default settings.

WLAN continuously and automatically broadcasts the network name, or the Service set Identifier (SSID). SSID is the name given to your WLAN, and all devices in the WLAN network uses this name to communicate to each other. This process makes setting up of wireless clients in the network extremely easy by locating your WLAN, and on the other hand. this makes your network to be visible to anyone operating within the range of your transmission. Turning off the SSID broadcast would make your network invisible to others.

To enable a secured network, disable the option of remote administration. Most of WLAN routers can be remotely administered, via internet. This feature should only be used, if the network lets you define a specefic IP address or a range of addresses, which would be allowed to access the network administration. It is advisable to keep the remote administration option turned off.

It won't be right to say that your network is completely secured. It is always possible for 'snoopers' to get into your traffic. Some network have been built and managed with more security built into it, but, for both LAN and WLAN, we often ask ourselves - how secured are we?

I am a post graduate in Computer Science and have been working as the profit center head of an international organisation. I look after 15 to 18 Oracle database projects in Europe.

As a hobby I have been writing for the last 10+ years on various subjet matters. I have expertise in project report preparations, preparations of technical tutoring documents, presentation preparations, writing of technical articles, technical documentations abstructs of various books, copy writing, reviews, articles, proof reading, news papers, magazines,presentations, including SEO articles, etc., and also contributed in writing press releases and various profiles. I have been writing for over 10 years. I have good experience in writing papers, including transcriptions on various topics with extensive research on the subject. I have also participated as a freelancer in online sales and marketing. All my works are quality orginals. I am generally involved with few but large continued assignments in writing technical & non-technical articles.

prabirsenuk@yahoo.co.uk

A Simple Guide to Wireless Networking

 

Most folks want that laptop for work, school, or college. Most laptops these days are Wi-Fi enabled. That means that they have the wireless hardware and software built into the computer. To the average consumer, wireless is a form of magic. You turn it on and it works, right? Not always. Understanding the basics to wireless will help avoid frustration and headaches.

First, before we get into the basics of wireless networking, I have a few opinions to express.

It seems that everybody wants to go wireless with their laptops and desktop PC?s. Wireless for laptops makes sense, since they get moved around between work and home and points in between. You can always connect using the Wi-Fi network at work or steal bandwidth from someone else. There are hotspots all over. There are ethical questions involved with ?borrowing? your neighbor?s signal. Let your conscience be your guide.

Wireless for desktops is an open subject. Since most of us usually set our desktops up on our home or office workstations, they tend not to move around. The only benefit of having a wireless desktop is that you don?t have the expense and trouble of running Ethernet cable around your house. If you are not a DYI?er, an Ethernet cable installation is an extra outlay. If you?re lucky, your present PC is only a few feet away from your Broadband Modem. I personally prefer to have all my stationary PC?s hooked up with Cat 5 Ethernet cables. That way I don?t load up the wireless bandwidth on the router. We?ll talk more on bandwidth later.

There are hardware requirements to wireless networking. These are the things you need to communicate.

At home you need:

• (1) a Broadband internet connection (Cable or DSL modem),
• (2) a router to broadcast the wireless signal,
• (3) a wireless enabled computer.

You cannot set up a wireless network using a Dial-Up connection. Period.

I recommend that you power off your Broadband Modem and any existing computer systems before you begin the installation of the wireless router. The computing equipment will start to negotiate with your router automatically on start up. This will get you on the network without confusion.

The router and existing PC?s should not need any further configuration. The default or current settings should work. Your PC should already be set to DHCP in your Network Connections TCP/IP properties window. If it weren?t you would not have been able to connect to your ISP. This is a default setting of your PC.

The Broadband internet connection gear should already be present. That?s the Cable or DSL Modem that your Internet Service Provider installed when you got their service. It?s connected to the Cable or DSL filter connection coming from your wall. The Modem has two connectors as a rule. One for the Cable or DSL data into the Modem, and one RJ45 connector you probably have connected to the computer you have in service now.

You?ll need to unplug the Ethernet cable between the computer and the Modem. Reconnect that cable to your wireless router. It goes into a RJ45 connector usually labeled ?WAN? for Wide Area Network. The only other connection you will need to make is to connect another Ethernet cable between from one of the wired ports on the back of the router to your PC. There are usually 4 of them. Any one will do to reconnect your existing PC so it?s on the network. The existing PC will get it?s internet connection through this port. Your router?s default settings should allow you to start connecting to your Wi-Fi enabled computers.

If all the cables are correctly placed, you should now be able to get on the Internet from you existing computers and your wireless computers.

Some quick notes of interest:

• (A) Your Wi-Fi router is transmitting and receiving in the 2.4MHZ range. So are your Wi-Fi enabled computers. This is the same frequency range of a number of cordless telephones. You may have interference on your cordless phones once the Wi-Fi network is installed. If this occurs you?ll need to get 5.8 MHZ phones or put up with the noise.
• (B) One of the most common questions I get is ?I bought a wireless laptop and I can?t get on the internet. Why not?? If your wireless router is installed properly, then your wireless laptop may need configuration. Go to your Network Places or Network Neighborhood for a wizard to help you set up your computer for wireless.
• (C) Bandwidth is the volume of traffic you can sustain through your network. The more devices using the Wi-Fi network, the slower the network uploads/downloads will be.

Remember, your wireless network works a lot like your cordless phone system. You need a transmitter/receiver at each end. Think of the router as the base station and the wireless PC as the handset. You can?t talk on your cordless phone if the base station is unplugged. So without a wireless router in service, you can?t communicate with the Internet. Hotspots are just spillover signal from someone?s wireless router.

Randolph M. Wells
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
IT Training and Certification Consultant
IT Project Management Specialist

Bluetooth Connects Wireless Networking

Bluetooth is not the first wireless technology. The reliable and cheap infrared wireless technology was invented in 1998. However, on the downside, two devices using infrared must be within 'line-of-sight', that is, you have to aim it at the receiving device, also infrared is strictly a one-to-one relationship and doesn't allow connection with multiple devices simultaneously.

WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) is a close cousin of the Bluetooth; they both use the same wireless technology to communicate. That's where the similarities end. WiFi was designed to provide wireless data connectivity while Bluetooth was designed to provide wireless device connectivity to networking and internet.

Bluetooth uses a tiny microchip, which functions as a radio transmitter and receiver. Due to the size of the microchip, the Bluetooth device will only work with other devices up to 10 meters away. It is possible, however, to boost the range to 100 meters but that would also increase the power consumption.

Though Bluetooth represents futuristic wireless technology, the name 'Bluetooth' is actually 10 centuries old. Named after a Scandinavian King, Harald Bluetooth, who managed to unite several unruly kingdoms, Bluetooth refers to the taming of myriad unruly competing standards by defining one worldwide specification. Bluetooth was founded by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba, the group that dubbed itself the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group). Now, there are over 2,000 companies providing Bluetooth solutions worldwide.

When shopping around for a Bluetooth-enabled device, just be on the lookout for the official Bluetooth logo, which indicates that the device complies with Bluetooth standards.

Bluetooth devices can be connected to either many-to-one networking or one-to-one networking. An example of the former is a computer using a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard at the same time. An example of the latter is a mobile phone connected to a Bluetooth headset.

Today, it is all about being wireless and Bluetooth allows users to be free of cables and wires. When you travel, you don't have to worry about keeping track of a bagful of cables and you can design your office without worrying about the length of cables and hiding them.

The great thing about Bluetooth is that it is so simple that a non-techie can set it up. Bluetooth doesn't require any special configuration. All you have to do is turn on the Bluetooth and the devices will find one another and connect automatically.

There are hundreds of devices available today that use Bluetooth as a means of wireless connection to networking. However, is Bluetooth right for you? It all boils down to personal preference. As usual, technology and convenience come at a price, so a Bluetooth-enabled device can be more expensive than a conventional wired contraption. If you want to get rid of the wires and are willing to pay for it, Bluetooth-enabled devices gives you that choice.

If you want to send files to your PC and do the sync without messy cables, look out for the Bluetooth feature in your PDA. If you want your cell phone to be able to talk wirelessly to your headset or send files to and from your PDA or PC, you need one with Bluetooth capabilities.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Networking

Wireless Access To Networking Via EDGE

WiFi has captured the imagination of road warriors; young urbanites who need to have access to networking and internet while on the move. You see them hanging out at high-end coffee outlets like Starbucks and San Francisco Coffee House.

However, not all places have WiFi internet access. Then, there is also the problem of different WiFi plans. Let's say you are in a place where there is WiFi access, but access is not free. You can't just buy a cup of coffee and WiFi access over the counter. So, you must be subscribed to a plan with the service provider.

Clearly, WiFi is inadequate if you want true wireless access to networking and internet wherever you go. Fortunately, there is a solution, it's called EDGE. EDGE stands for Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution. It boosts data transfer rates on existing GPRS networks significantly (it is three times the speed of GPRS).

GPRS, which stands for General Packet Radio Service, is a wireless technology for mobile networks that offers data transmission rates up to 20kbps or 30kbps as well as continuous connection to the network.

To use EDGE, you will need to buy an EDGE-capable phone. Next, you need to subscribe to the service provider. This gives you unlimited access to networking and the internet. Finally, you will need to buy a Bluetooth dongle to attach to your laptop via the USB port. It is advisable that you get a dealer to configure your cell phone and laptop for you. It is actually quite complicated to set up.

Once everything is set up, you can surf the net literally anywhere and when you are outside the WiFi area, you can still surf the net provided you are in an area where there is GPRS. It is a bit slower but with the EDGE subscription, you get unlimited access via GPRS at no additional cost.

Surfing is easy. Just stick the Bluetooth dongle into your laptop's USB port. Then click on the dial-up icon. Within a few seconds, you will be connected to networking and the internet and can start surfing.

Unlike infrared technology, Bluetooth does not need to be within line-of- sight for the connection to work. So, your cell phone can stay in your pocket or your bag. You don't have to take it out at all.

Bear in mind that when you are connected to the net via EDGE, the power consumption is quite high, so don't expect to be able to surf continuously all day long on one battery. After several hours online, your cell phone will need a new charge. Still, you are looking at least four or five hours of continuous connection before the battery drains. That's quite a lot of surfing time.

With EDGE, users can download videos, send big files, take picture at higher resolutions and even attach voice or text to these; all on their mobile phones, while on the move. Users also able to upload multimedia content from their mobile phone to a website page via MMS. The multimedia content can then be shared with an unlimited number of people.

However, the most practical use for EDGE is to allow people to access the net on their laptops via their EDGE-capable phone (which effectively acts as a modem). With this set up in place, users can at last be truly mobile and connected, anywhere, anytime.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Networking