ICT

WiFi

                  WiFi, wireless fidelity is the way to connect devices together without wires.  It can be done in homes, businesses, between businesses etc.  WiFi offers a lot of advantages over LANS, but it does include disadvantages. 

HOW DOES IT WORK

                  Wireless Internet Access has four components that form its structure: high-speed access, a networking gateway, a wireless network and a wireless customer.  The customer connects wirelessly through the wireless network to the gateway, it then launches their internet browser, authenticates through the gateway by entering a coupon code or purchasing time and the user has high-speed internet.

The four components are:

1)High-speed access which is also known as broadband is an internet connection which is generally faster than dial up service.  Examples of high-speed internet access are ISDN, cable modem, DSL, and also  satellite services.

2) Network Gateway is between your high-speed access connection and the wireless network, it acts like a gate.  This gate will prevent people from accessing your wireless network unless you know about it, the gateway also allows managing tools as well.  These can include authentication, network monitoring, and other services such as printing and voice over IP. 

3) Wireless local area network is a system of connecting PC's and other devices within the same physical proximity using high-frequency radio waves instead of wires.  Wireless networks work as long as your wireless ready device is within range.

4) Wireless customers are people who have a PC and a wireless adapter which means they can access the internet wirelessly.  The wireless adapter can be built in or it can be an external device plugged into your computer. 

WiFi, allows a universal internet connection to be bordercast through radio waves.

                    Radio waves are what make WiFi exist and run.  They allow WiFi networking to occur between numerous people.  The radio waves are transmitted from antennas and routers and are picked up by WiFi receivers such as computers and cell phones equipped with WiFi cards.  When these devices receive a signal within the range of a WiFi network, the WiFi card then reads the signals and produces an internet connection without a cord.   Once a connection is established between user and the network , the user will be prompted with a login screen and password if it is fee based.

                  WiFi networking around the world is creating not spots in the cities where anyone with a laptop can wirelessly plug into the internet.  Hot spots are connection points for WiFi networks; areas where wireless internet is available for those who have internet ready devices.  Hot spots are becoming available everywhere, in restaurants, hotels, airports, schools, etc.

               The following is a simple and understandable way to picture the way WiFi works.  The main source is the antenna; the antenna sends radio signals to the people who want to access the internet.  The people wanting access must have a Wife card; the Wife cards receives the radio signals through its' Wife receivers and creates a wireless connection.