What
equipment makes up a wireless network?
A wireless network is made up of a wireless access point or
router. This device transmits the network across the air. Computers then
connect to the network using a client access card. These cards vary depending
on the type of computer. For example a laptop would probably use a PCMCIA
wireless Adapter card (Credit Card sized interface).
What
is the difference between a wireless gateway and a wireless access point?
Sometimes there is no difference; sometimes there is a big
difference. There is no official definition of what a gateway is. Many
manufacturers call their wired broadband modem/router connections gateways.
However, in general, a wireless gateway is an access point with NAT routing and
DHCP server. An access point is a wireless gateway without NAT routing and DHCP
server. An access point essentially functions as an extension from an existing
wired network to a community of users with wireless laptops and desktop
computers.
Most homes and small offices use wireless gateways because
they need the NAT routing and DHCP server that enables them to share a single
Internet connection among all the computers in the home or office. Most
enterprises and large businesses use access points, not gateways, because their
wired network (their "backbone") already has NAT and DHCP server
supplied by an industrial strength router or hub.
Many access points also have extra network management and
advanced user functions and security capabilities built into them. Gateways may
also offer specialized security functions like firewalls.
In general, access points and gateways do the same thing:
they function as base stations connecting various wireless laptops and desktop
computers, ensuring that wireless data gets shared and transmitted among them
as needed.
Why
do I need to know what NAT and DHCP are, and what are they?
You probably don’t! But if you really want to know…
NAT stands for Network Address Translation and enables your
wireless gateway to share a single Internet connection among all the computers
in your home or business. DHCP (Direct Host Configuration Protocol) is what
enables your network to use TCP/IP to connect the different components. There
are various networking protocols.
Most wireless gateways for homes and small businesses
provide both NAT and DHCP. In general, if you are setting up a stand-alone
wireless network, you want NAT and DHCP. If you are adding a wireless gateway
to an existing wired network, you probably want to turn off the NAT and DHCP
functions built into your wireless gateway and have it function as a wireless
access point.
Can I
have a wireless network using computers with different operating systems?
Yes. Most wireless networks will work with a wide range of
Windows operating systems including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows
NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP ,Windows Vista and Windows CE. Some wireless
systems will also work with Apple Macintosh, Linux, and other operating
systems. However, once you have your wireless network up and running, it should
be able to talk to and exchange files with other wireless networks.
Can I
add wireless to my desktop computer?
Yes. An internal wireless PCI card can be installed within
a desktop computer. To help with signal strengths an additional external
antenna can also be added.
Can I
use wireless with my Apple Macintosh?
Yes. You have two options. Most newer Macintosh Power PCs,
G3s and G4s have a slot for an Apple AirPort Wi-Fi module. If you didn't order
it when you bought your Apple computer,
Once set up and configured, a network consisting of
combined Apple and Windows computers and access points will work together. Of
course, unless you are running an emulator program, you won't be able to run
Windows programs on your Apple computer and vice versa. However, your wireless
network devices will talk to each other and enable you to share an Internet
connection and transfer files among the various computers.
What
is the range of a wireless network?
Range varies in a wireless network depending on the type of
equipment you have, whether or not you use special antennas, and whether your
network is in an open environment or in a building with lots of walls and
furniture. The composition of your walls and floors can also have a major
impact. Wireless is a very low powered radio signal and does not penetrate metal,
water or other dense materials.
We does not measure or compare different products and their
range. However, we have found that a wireless network generally provides a
range of about 75 to 150 feet in a typical home or office. In an open environment
like an empty warehouse or outdoors, a wireless network may provide a range of
up to 1,000 feet or more. With the right antennas and optimal placement, a
range of up to a mile is possible.
With Wireless technology (802.11g or 802.11b), a
"gradual degradation" in range occurs. This means that, instead of
stopping all together, your data transmission rate just becomes slower as you
move farther away from the access point. For example, with wireless 802.11b
technology, within 100 feet of the access point, the wireless radio in your
laptop computer will get about 11 Mbps data rate. As you move farther away,
that rate will drop down to 5.5 Mbps, then to 2 Mbps and finally to 1 Mbps.
Considering that many DSL and cable Internet connections are less than 1 Mbps,
this connection speed is still very good.
Can I
use/access my files and printers across wireless?
Yes. Once a wireless network is installed you can access
files on other computers and print to any printer. Using security built into
your operating system, access can be restricted to prevent unauthorised users
accessing your network.
How
reliable are wireless networks?
A correctly installed wireless network will provide a
reliable and stable connection for many years to come. However, unlike cabling
wireless networks run on software. Like all software, a reboot once in a while
is sometimes required. This is usually a case of powering down the access point
and then switching it on again.
Environmental factors can also influence wireless
communications. External wireless networks are most at risk from this and some
customers have reported a loss in performance during times of bad weather.
Can I
mix and match wireless components, or is it better to stay with a single
manufacturer?
Components that comply with the 802.11(a/b/g) standards
should all work fine with each other. However some manufacturers do use some
proprietary technologies, such as repeating and Super G (giving up to 108mbps).
If starting a network from scratch we would recommend using
equipment from a single manufacturer.
How
do I use my wireless laptop when I am travelling?
Just find a wireless network to which you can connect.
These networks are becoming common in cities and towns worldwide — Internet
cafes and coffee shops are popping up everywhere! — as well as in public areas
like airports, hotels and convention centres or anywhere people gather. Some
wireless HotSpot networks require you to manually configure your access
connection; others work with your wireless card to automatically log on. In
addition, many large businesses and universities are providing wireless access
to visitors and guests at their locations.
If you have a building with public areas and would like to
offer internet access to your visitors you need a Public Hotspot.
We are not tied to any one manufacturer. We are constantly
testing and evaluating the latest products from all wireless manufacturers.
We currently supply equipment from Asus, Belkin, D-link,
Linksys, CNet, SMC, Edimax and TP-LINK.
Are wireless
networks dangerous?
There is no evidence that wireless networks cause any
damage to health.
Does the
equipment make any noise?
No. Wireless equipment is a solid state and has no moving
parts.
Will
my microwave oven or cordless phone interfere with my wireless network?
Microwave ovens and many cordless phones operate in the 2.4
GHz spectrum, the same radio spectrum used by wireless networks. That means
they can cause interference — but in most instances this will just slow down
the wireless connection; it won't stop transmission or break the connection.
To reduce interference, you can move a 2.4 GHz cordless phone away from your wireless equipped computer or base station. Interference usually only happens with older microwave ovens. You can also try changing the channel on which your wireless network operates. In addition, some manufacturers have developed and implemented special technologies that can minimize interference from cordless phones and ovens.
How
do I know if my wireless network is secure?
When you scan for networks using windows or your cards
wireless utility. If there is a padlock or a mention of encryption it is
likely your network is secure. If you are prompted for a key or pass phrase
when connecting to your network, it will be using WEP or WPA authentication,
preventing eavesdropping.
What
is the best type of wireless encryption?
WPA2 is beginning to become the common form of wireless
encryption as more manufacturers begin to support. WPA2 offers a more secure
solution than WEP and WPA and can use passwords rather than keys making it
easier to configure and use. When WPA2 is linked to a RADIUS server it provides
and excellent authentication system.
Is
shopping on-line safe using a wireless connection?
Yes. Its just as safe as using a wired connection. Your
credit card details are set to secure websites via an encrypted tunnel between
your web browser and the websites server. This is the same no matter what
connection you use.
A firewall is a barrier to keep destructive forces away
from your property. In fact, that's why it’s called a firewall. Its job is
similar to a physical firewall that keeps a fire from spreading from one area
to the next. A firewall is simply a program or hardware device that filters the
information coming through the Internet connection into your private network or
computer system. If an incoming packet of information is flagged by the
filters, it is not allowed through.
A firewall is essential in keeping your computers safe.
Do
wireless routers include a firewall?
Yes all wireless routers include a firewall. However
Windows XP and
Can
you help me to protect my computer from Viruses and Spyware?
Yes. We are able to advise you on all aspects of safety
on-line. We can also supply you with any protection software your require.
What
happens when I disable SSID (network name) Broadcast? Am I more secure?
You really CAN NOT turn off the SSID field in the beacon.
The SSID is a mandatory to send field in the BEACON and PROBE RESPONSE. So for
systems that did not have the concept of an SSID, they allowed for a NULL SSID,
i.e. x00 in all 32 bytes of the SSID field.
Also, you cannot turn off the beacon. You can vary its
periodicity, but not eliminate it. The beacon provides the timings and other
parameters need to run a BSS.
The NULL SSID option was included in the original spec for
some vendors products that did not even have the concept of SSIDs. This allowed
for reasonable migration to everyone using SSIDs.
My
wireless network appears to have stopped working. How do I perform a reset?
Most wireless devices can be reset by switch them off for a
few seconds and then back on. This should be carried out by powering the unit
off at the wall.
The smaller reset button most units have will perform a
factory reset causing the device to lose its configuration data. This should
only be pressed if you know how to re-configure the unit.
This problem can be caused by your wireless routers DSN
cache becoming full. You can bypass this by entering your ISPs DNS servers into
you wireless network connection within windows. Another way to change them is
to alter the DNS server entry in your routers DHCP configuration.
This can be caused by a number of things. The first thing
to try is a repair on your network connection. This can be done by pressing the
repair button (windows XP,
If your connection still doesn’t work it could be caused by
interference. Try moving your antenna or moving to a different location.
An authentication error can also stop information being transmitted.
Check your WEP or WPA passwords and renter them.
How
can I increase signal on my wireless connection?
Listed below are suggestions
for increasing your signal strength and range:
· You may want to consider
changing your router to channel 1, 6, 11. Channel 6 is the most commonly used channel
for 2.4 Ghz devices (including cordless phones, wireless keyboards and mice).
In most cases you will get the maximum range on channel 1.
· Make sure that the router in
question is positioned in the highest point available. For example, if the
building is two stories high, you need to place the router on the second floor
- not the first floor.
· Make sure the antennae on your
router are positioned vertically to allow maximum horizontal range. To receive
the greatest distance vertically, position the antennae horizontally.
· Check to make sure you are
using your manufacturers Configuration Utility to connect and monitor your
client connection. Some cards are not compatible with Windows Wireless Control
and you will not achieve anywhere near the maximum range if you allow Windows
to have control of the card. Also, you should monitor your client through the manufacturers’
configuration utility as the Microsoft monitor (and pop-up bubbles) do not
always accurately measure the D2D signal strength.
· When testing your router to
determine how far your range will be, turn on your computer as close to the
router as possible and then proceed to test the maximum distance you will
achieve in your environment.
I
think my cordless telephone could Interfere with My Wireless LAN. Is there
anything I can do?
Here are some tips for problems with cordless phones.
· Avoid 2.4GHz phones and stick
to 900MHz or 5.8Ghz
If you do get/have a 2.4Hz phone, some DSS 2.4Hz phones are clearly designed to
hop around wireless network frequencies without interfering, while others are
not designed to do that. There is no correlation between price and this
feature. Some of the more expensive models are also the worst for interference.
· Look for some clear indication
from the manufacturer that the phone is "wireless network friendly",
like the sticker on some boxes
Buy from a place that will accept returns. Unpack it very carefully so that you
can repack it and return it if it turns out to interfere or not perform well
enough.
