Wireless FAQs
Connecting to the Internet wirelessly is simple and very convenient without the hassle of messy cabling. As opposed to the regular way of connecting to the Internet you now have the advantage of moving your computer to just about anywhere. Imagine surfing the Internet while relaxing in your garden. The possibilities are endless.
Choosing the Best Locations:
- Placing antennas in a good location, at a good angle.
- Elevate your router.
- Reducing the interference from other devices that transmit radio waves.
Reducing Interference
Avoid windows unless communicating between buildings. (Windows let in interference from the outside world.)
Place antennas away from various electromagnetic noise sources, especially those in the 2400 - 2500 MHz frequency band. Common noise-creating sources are:
- Computers and fax machines (place wireless equipment no closer than 1 foot)
- Copying machines, elevators and cell phones (no closer than 6 feet)
- Microwave ovens (no closer than 10 feet)
Setting up Security on your Wireless connection
WPA and WEP
WPA and WEP are technologies that "encrypt" the traffic on your network. That is, they scramble it so that an attacker can't make any sense of it. To unscramble it at the other end, all systems using it must know a "key" or password.
WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) A simple security system designed to encrypt your traffic as it flies through the air. Typically adequate as a deterrent for home use only.
WPA (Wifi Protected Access) in enterprise mode requires each user to login with their own username and password. That simplifies management in large installations, because you don't have to distribute a common password to all your users. However it is a bit more complex to implement.
- Each user's system must have special software to let the user login to the network
- The access point must support WPA enterprise mode. The access point is configured to talk to a Server which actually checks the password.
Choosing a good password
It is critical to use a good password. There are attacks against WPA that will break your security if your password uses words or any other well-known sequences. WPA allows passwords as long as 63 characters. We strongly recommend using a long random password, or at the very least a long phrase (at least 13 characters, but preferably longer). The phrase should not be taken from any web site or published work. Most software saves the password, so you only need to type it once on each system.
How fast is wireless computer networking?
First, wireless local area networks (WLANs) feature differing levels of performance depending on which Wi-Fi standard they support. 802.11b WLANs offer maximum theoretical bandwidth of 11 Mbps. 802.11a and 802.11g WLANs offer theoretical bandwidth up to 54 Mbps. (In contrast, typical wired Ethernets run at 100 Mbps.)
What Is the Typical Range of a Wi-Fi LAN?
802.11b and 802.11g WAPs and routers support a range of up to 150 feet (46 m) indoors and 300 feet (92 m) outdoors.
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