Networking... without wires!

Most commonly provided by 802.11b, which uses the 2.4GHz microwave band, designated for low-power unlicensed use by the FCC in the USA in 1985 (Reserved because 2.4GHz is the resonant frequency of water, and that's how a microwave oven works - 2.4GHz waves break bonds in water!).

There are two primary modes an 802.11b wlan can operate in: AdHoc (or peer-to-peer) mode, or Infrastructure mode. Infrastructure mode typically offers better security than AdHoc mode.

802.11b AdHoc networking requires 2 or more computers, each with a wireless interface of some sort - PCMCIA, PCI, ISA or USB. Infrastructure mode also requires a BaseStation, such as an AccessPoint.

You may also want to read about FresnelZone, a phenomenon which occurs with long range(?) wireless links.

CRCnet is a project that is setting up wireless networking between WaikatoUniversity and some remote schools. It is run by the WandGroup. They gave a presentation to WLUG about Wireless Networking - see MeetingTopics.2003-06-23.

Security is an issue with Wireless Networks that is often ignored. See WirelessNetworkSecurityNotes.

See WirelessNetworkingNotes for wiki users' comments about setting up wireless networks

Part of CategoryWireless