Wireless Networks

MR. ROWE
Introduction
Since the beginning of Ethernet networking, cable has been getting smaller
and easier to work with. The original Ethernet cable was about as thick as
your thumb, and was difficult to bend around tight corners.
Then came coaxial cable, which was lighter and easier to work with. Coaxial
cable was supplanted by unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable, which is the
cable used for most networks today. Coaxial and UTP cable is still cable,
though, which means that you have to drill holes and pull cable through walls
and ceilings in order to wire your entire home or office.
Introduction
Introduction
That’s why wireless networking has become so popular. With wireless
networking, you don’t need cables to connect your computers. Instead,
wireless networks use radio waves to send and receive network signals. As a
result, a computer can connect to a wireless network at any location in your
home or office.
Wireless networks are especially useful for notebook computers. After all,
the main benefit of a notebook computer is that you can carry it around with
you wherever you go.
Diving into Wireless Networking
The following paragraphs summarize some of the key concepts and terms
that you need to understand in order to set up and use a basic wireless
network:

A wireless network is often referred to as a WLAN, for wireless local area

network. The term Wi-Fi is often used to describe wireless networks.
A wireless network has a name, known as a SSID. SSID stands for service set
identifier Each of the computers that belong to a single wireless network
must have the same SSID.
Wireless Network Adapters
Each computer that will connect to your wireless network needs a wireless
network adapter. The wireless network adapter is similar to the network
interface card (NIC) that is used for a standard Ethernet connection.
However, instead of having a cable connector on the back, a wireless
network adapter has an antenna.

You can get several basic types of wireless network adapters, depending on
your needs and the type of computer you will use it with:
A wireless USB adapter is a separate box that plugs into a USB port on your
computer. Because the USB adapter is a separate device, it takes up extra
desk space.
Wireless hardware
Router:
A router is a device that communicates
between the internet and the devices in
your home that connect to the internet. As
its name implies, it “routes” traffic between
the devices and the internet.
Wireless hardware
Modem:
The modem receives information from your ISP through the phone lines,
optical fiber, or coaxial cable in your home (depending on your service
provider) and converts it into a digital signal. The router’s job is to push this
signal out to connected devices, either through wired Ethernet cables or Wi-
Fi, so that all of your devices can hop on board and access the Internet. Your
router and ISP can’t communicate directly because they speak different
languages—or rather, they transmit different signal types—which is why the
modem’s role as a translator is so important.
Modem
Repeater :
A WiFi repeater or extender is used to extend the
coverage area of your WiFi network. It works by
receiving your existing WiFi signal, amplifying it and
then transmitting the boosted signal. With a WiFi
repeater you can effectively double the coverage
area of your WiFi network - reaching far corners of
your home or office, different floors, or even extend
coverage to your yard
Acces point
An access point is a device that creates a
wireless local area network, or WLAN, usually in
an office or large building. An access point
connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via an
Ethernet cable, and projects a Wi-Fi signal to a
designated area. For example, if you want to
enable Wi-Fi access in your company's reception
area but don’t have a router within range, you can
install an access point near the front desk and run
an Ethernet cable through the ceiling back to the
server room.
Since repeaters connect wirelessly to Wi-Fi routers, they must be placed where the Wi-
Fi router's signal is already strong, not in the location of the actual dead spot.

Why Access Points Are Better for Businesses

While range extenders are great for home Wi-Fi networks, they’re not efficient for
modern businesses. This is because they can only support a limited number of devices
at one time, usually no more than 20.
 Classwork 1 – Wireless network
Create 2 Wireless network diagram using https://app.diagrams.net/
1. A wired network with 10 desktop computers and 2 laptops (receiving wifi)
2. A wireless network with 10 laptops.

Include all the devices needed in orde to work properly