Wi-Fi

Introduction

The term Wi-Fi suggests Wireless Fidelity, resembling the long-established audio-
equipment classification term high fidelity. A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a
personal computer, video game console, Smartphone or digital audio player can
connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the
Internet. The coverage of one or more (interconnected) access points — called
hotspots — generally comprises an area the size of a few rooms but may be
expanded to cover many square miles, depending on the number of access
points with overlapping coverage.

Features Of Wi-Fi

The various features of Wi-Fi are as follows:

1. Range:

The wireless network supports the range up to 100 metres.

2. Data Transfer

The wireless network provides the data rate ranging from 10-54Mbps.

3. WLAN

The wi-fi uses the concept of wireless LAN for the data transfe.

The IEEE Format Used:

The IEEE format used in Wi-Fi is 802.11. these are further classified into four categories:

Preamble Rate Reserved Length Parity Tail Source Destination Frame Tail
Address Address Control

1. 802.11a

This is the one of the expensive standard and provides the data rate of 11Mbps

2. 802.11b

This is cheaper than 802.11a and provides the same data rate as that of 802.11a that is
11Mbps.

3. 802.11g

IEEE 802.11g-2003 or 802.11g is an amendment to the IEEE 802.11

specification that extended throughput to up to 54 Mb/s using the same
2.4 GHz band as 802.11b. This specification under the marketing name of
 Wi-Fi has been implemented all over the world. The 802.11g protocol is
now Clause 19 of the published IEEE 802.11-2007 standard

4. 802.11n

IEEE 802.11n-2009 is an amendment to the IEEE 802.11-2007 wireless

networking standard to improve network throughput over the two previous
standards — 802.11a and 802.11g — with a significant increase in the
maximum raw data rate from 54 Mbit/s to 600 Mbit/s with the use of four
spatial streams at a channel width of 40 MHz

Types Of Wi-Fi

1. City Wide Wi-Fi

In the early 2000s, many cities around the world announced plans for city-wide Wi-Fi
networks. This proved to be much more difficult than their promoters initially envisioned
with the result that most of these projects were either canceled or placed on indefinite hold. A
few were successful, for example in 2005, Sunnyvale, California became the first city in the
United States to offer city-wide free Wi-Fi,and Minneapolis has generated $1.2 million profit
annually for their provider.

In May, 2010, London, UK Mayor Boris Johnson pledged London-wide Wi-Fi by 2012. Both
the City of London, UK and Islington already have extensive outdoor Wi-Fi coverage.

2. Campus Wide Wi-Fi

Carnegie Mellon University built the first wireless Internet network in the world at their
Pittsburgh campus in 1994, long before Wi-Fi branding originated in 1999. Many traditional
college campuses provide at least partial wireless Wi-Fi Internet coverage.

Drexel University in Philadelphia made history by becoming the United States' first major
university to offer completely wireless Internet access across the entire campus in 2000

3. Airport Wide Wi-Fi

Now a days the airports are equipped with the wi-fi services at each terminal for the
access of internet and the other services.

Uses Of Wi-Fi

1. Internet Access

A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a personal computer, video game console,

Smartphone or digital audio player can connect to the Internet when within range
of a wireless network connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more
(interconnected) access points — called hotspots — can comprise an area as small
as a few rooms or as large as many square miles. Coverage in the larger area may
depend on a group of access points with overlapping coverage. Wi-Fi technology
has been used in wireless mesh networks, for example, in London, UK.
 In addition to private use in homes and offices, Wi-Fi can provide public access at
Wi-Fi hotspots provided either free-of-charge or to subscribers to various
commercial services. Organizations and businesses - such as those running
airports, hotels and restaurants - often provide free-use hotspots to attract or assist
clients. Enthusiasts or authorities who wish to provide services or even to promote
business in selected areas sometimes provide free Wi-Fi access. As of 2008 more
than 300 metropolitan-wide Wi-Fi (Muni-Fi) projects had started. As of 2010 the
Czech Republic had 1150 Wi-Fi based wireless Internet service providers.

2. Direct Computer to Computer Communication

Wi-Fi also allows communications directly from one computer to another without
the involvement of an access point. This is called the ad-hoc mode of Wi-Fi
transmission. This wireless ad-hoc network mode has proven popular with
multiplayer handheld game consoles, such as the Nintendo DS, digital cameras,
and other consumer electronics devices.

Similarly, the Wi-Fi Alliance promotes a specification called Wi-Fi Direct for file
transfers and media sharing through a new discovery- and security-methodology.
Wi-Fi Direct launched in October 2010.

3. Future Directions

As of 2010 Wi-Fi technology has spread widely within business and industrial
sites. In business environments, just like other environments, increasing the
number of Wi-Fi access points provides network redundancy, support for fast
roaming and increased overall network-capacity by using more channels or by
defining smaller cells. Wi-Fi enables wireless voice-applications (VoWLAN or
WVOIP). Over the years, Wi-Fi implementations have moved toward "thin"
access points, with more of the network intelligence housed in a centralized
network appliance, relegating individual access points to the role of "dumb"
transceivers. Outdoor applications may utilize mesh topologies.

Working Of Wi-Fi
 There are basically two components used in WI-fi

1. Wireless Adapter
2. Wireless Router

The functioning of the various components is as follows:

1. Wireless Adapter

The wireless adapter of a computer translates data into radio signals and
transmits the signals over an antenna. The transmitting antenna is generally
connected to a DSL or a LAN-based Internet connection.

2. Wireless Router

The wireless router in the network receives the signals and decodes them. The
router uses an Ethernet connection to transmit the information over the
Internet. The places or spots, which offer Wi-fi access to the Internet, are
known as Wi-Fi hotspots.

Advantages Of Wi-Fi

The various advantages of Wi-Fi are as follows:

1. LAN without cables:

It allows local area networks (LANs) to be setup without cabling. The can reduce
associated costs of network connection and expansions. Places where cables cannot be
run, such as outdoor areas and historical buildings can use wireless LANs

2. Unlicensed Radio Spectrum

 Wi-Fi uses unlicensed radio spectrum and does not require regulatory approval for
individual deployers.

3. Easily Available

Wi-Fi products are extensively available in the market. There are different brands of
access points and user's network interfaces are able to inter-operate at a very basic
service level.

4. Global Standards

Wi-Fi has a set of global standards. Not like the cellular carriers, the same Wi-Fi users
can work in different countries around the world at all time.

5. Roaming

Wi-Fi networks can support roaming. This allows mobile users with laptop computer
to be able to move from one access point to another.

6. Secured Transmission

Numerous access points and network interfaces support various degrees of encryption
to protect traffic from interception.

Disadvantages Of Wi-Fi

The various disadvantages Of Wi-Fi are as follows:

1. Operational Limitations

The spectrum assignments and operational limitations are not consistent worldwide.

2. High Power Consumption

Power consumption is fairly high compared to some other standards, making the
battery life and heat a concern to some users.

3. Limited Range

Wi-Fi networks have limited range. A typical Wi-Fi home router might have a range
of 45m (150ft) indoors and 90m (300ft) outdoors. Ranges may also vary as Wi-Fi is
no exception to the physics of radio wave propagation with frequency band.

4. Crowded With Other Devices

Wi-Fi uses the unlicensed 2.4GHz spectrum, which often crowded with other devices
such as Bluetooth, microwave ovens, cordless phones, or video sender devices, and
among many others. This may cause degradation in performance.

5. Loss Of Confidential Information

Intervention of a closed or encrypted access point with other open access points on the
same or a nearby channel can prevent access to the open access points by others in the
area. It poses a high problem in high-density areas such as large apartment blocks
where many residents are operating Wi-Fi access points. The most common wireless
encryption standard, wired equivalent privacy or WEP has been shown to be
breakable even when it has been correctly configured.