Do You Know What

Wireless Networking Is?

Wireless networking is an exciting process, which creates a fully functional network set up without those pesky wires. It allows for communication from 1 point to the next through the use of radio connections. This means a computer can connect to the internet without wires, and the attending headache of figuring out what goes where. Plus these signals can travel through walls.

Where Did Wireless Networking Come From?

Wireless networking uses a technology that is called frequency hopping. Strangely enough, this technology was invented by the actress Hedy Lamarr and a musician named George Antheil in the 1940’s.

Their invention received a patent and was intentded to use in World War II. Hedy was Jewish and had to endure many troubling things. She was made to hide and to socialize with Adolf Hitler as a young lady. Eventually, she was forced to drug her husband and run way to London to escape. This lead her to want to help in the war effort.

Unfortunately, the value of their invention wouldn’t come to pass until 20 years later, when the US military finally adopted the technique. Although her technique was used, Hedy was never to see any money come in from it. Later, she would be given the Pioneer Award by the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 1997 for her efforts.

Wireless Networking In The Home

Wireless networking in the home is commonly known as LAN or local area network. This is what most people refer to when they talk about wireless networking. But, the term local does not mean your whole local neighborhood. Most LANs are restricted to 1 building, your home.

Many people find that wireless networking is amazing. Simply, it allows for individuals to stop digging holes into their walls and running wires from here to there and everywhere in between.

Some Myths About Wireless Networking

MYTH: Wireless networking is too expensive.
When the technology was new, there was some truth to that claim. Now with mass production of the equipment and huge competition, prices have fallen way down. The costs that the homeowner will incur are dependent on how many computers they want to connect and how far apart they want them to be. Many families can get what they need for under $100 overall. In fact, if you want to leave 1 of your computers on all the time while you are using the other 1, you can do it for as little as $20! The money you spend is a 1 time occurance.

MYTH: Wireless networking is too difficult.
When wireless networking was brand new, you had to work with the computers individually, constantly trying to configure each computer just to get the smallest items to work. Today, this is not the case. Modern computer ooperating systems support wireless networking right out of the box. Set up is quite simple -- plug and play.

MYTH: Wireless networking is insecure.
For many, this is a real concern. They do not want personal information to be floating around. Instead However, you can easily enable encryption ofthe wireless signals. It is challenging for outsiders to intercept wireless signals at all, but, when they are encrypted, it will be virtually impossible for them make sense of the data.

Beyond The Home

Although wireless technology is commonly used in homes, all types of institutions are now using it. Home users were anxious to get rid of all the wires and the trouble of using land locked lines. Instead of waiting, they jumped right in with the new features. Now, universities, offices and all types of other locations are beginning to go wireless, due to the inherent advantages.

Another place that it is being used extensively is in the coffee shop. Many chains are now offering wireless internet access to their customers because they realize that customers are likely to spend hours there, consuming ever more coffee and sandwiches. Hotels and airports are also finding value in adding the service for their guests. Wireless networking allows for anyone with a wireless enabled laptop to log into the internet effortlessly. Ka-ching!