Technical Topic: How WiFi Works

What is a network?

Basically a network is a method of allowing computers to talk to each other using wires (category cable) and wireless (Wi-Fi). Depending on the wiring and switch (network controller) a wired network can reach speeds of up to 1000Mbps while a wireless up to 54Mbps.

I know wireless sees slow but for browsing internet is plenty because even on fiber often the cap is 10 Mbps.

The best way to think about is is use your phone system – in a wireless you have the phone and the base unit (the wireless card and wireless router). In a regular phone you have a chorded with plugs into the wall (network card to wired router). The router regardless of type speaks to the modem (if it is not built in) and then connects to the internet.

That was a slightly less technical answer – simply worked A computer network is a group of interconnected computers

What is Wi-Fi?

Wireless is here to stay it seems so what is it. Think of it as a telephone for the computer. A network cable is a chorded phone line and wireless is a cordless signal the card the antennae. For those of you old enough to remember there were and still are walkie-talkies (radios).

Wi-Fi is indeed a radio signal in the 2.4 MHz band width range. In the early days there was a problem because this was also a frequency shared with some cordless phones which in term caused the signals to be cancelled out. I could ist the actual frequency of the 11 US channels but you can search for them easily on the internet.

Due to the amount of wireless routers many are starting to use encryption to protect their network from intrusion. Think of encryption as a key to a door – WEP would be like a combination lock without which you could not open the door and some of the other more like keys. I tend to prefer n some cases leaving the network open and restricting access by MAC address – this is like a biometric reader – if your laptop does not have the right unique finger print no access. Can it be clones – sure if you know how which many do not and have even done some installs where I have done both.

There are many standards to Wi-Fi under 802.11 though there are 4 people know about and three most people see in the store, each has its advantages:

• A - 5.25, 5.6 and 5.8 GHz - 54 Mbps - fast speed/greater range
• B – 2.4 GHz - 11 Mbps - slower speed/ greater range
• G – 2.4 GHz - 54 Mbps - faster speed/greater range/less interference
• N – 2.4 GHz - 54 Mbps - MIMO – multiple input multiple output uses two antennae (one to send and the other to receive) – faster speed/greater range/less interference

In another post Bluetooth will be discussed.

What is a router and how does internet work?

A router is a device that allows you to bridge or connect networks. Most people use a router as a modem. The router allows the use to connect their home network (wired or wireless) to the network of the ISP. They can also be used to connect two different networks. The easiest way to think about a router is as a door that allows two way traffic and you as a person are the information being sent out. Imagine being sent to the store by your parent or spouse – you leave from inside your house , open and close the door, go to the store, exchange cash for the item and return home giving it to the person who requested. 

• Your house = your network
• The door = router
• Your neighborhood or apartment complex = ISP’s network
• The roads and highways = internet
• The store = someone else’s network 

In a nutshell that is how the internet works – see not technical at all (smile!)