A wireless network is, in broad terms, a computer network that relies on electromagnetic waves rather than wires or cables to facilitate communication between individual workstations. These waves are released from a remote system and received by the individual computers in the network.
Essential Features of Wireless Networks
Whether you're setting up a wireless home network or a local area network (LAN) for your business, there are two central considerations you'll need to make. First, you need to facilitate communication between the computers in the network and the peripheral devices users will need. For example, you'll want users to have the ability to send jobs to a wireless network printer to ensure employee efficiency and productivity.
Second, you need to pay close attention to security considerations. While it is less expensive to run an unsecured wireless network, this approach allows unauthorized users to access and use system resources. A secure wireless network is a much better option.
If the computers in the network don't have built-in radio receivers, you'll need to get wireless network adapters for each individual machine. A wireless network card is relatively inexpensive and facilitates the transmission of data without the need for computer cables.
Wireless Networking Options
There are three main types of wireless networks that are used in homes and businesses:
- WPANs (wireless personal area networks). A WPAN facilitates wireless communications between devices in an extremely localized area. An example of this type of network is a Bluetooth headset that has the ability to communicate with your laptop computer.
- WLANs (wireless local area networks). WLANs use radio waves instead of wires to connect computers and devices within a contained area such as a school or an office.
- WMANs (wireless metropolitan area networks). Essentially, a WMAN is a network that connects several LANs together across a larger area. They typically rely on WiMAX technology to create city-wide networks.
Setting Up a Wireless Network
Because wireless networks deal with technically complex equipment like routers, setting one up is a task best left to people with specialized knowledge. It is highly recommended that you consult an experienced IT professional if you want to set up a wireless network.