Wi-Fi

The name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide
wireless high-speed Internet and network connections. The Wi-Fi Alliance, the
organization that owns the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) term specifically defines Wi-Fi
as any "wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards."

 Initially, Wi-Fi was used in place of only the 2.4GHz 802.11b standard, however the Wi-
Fi Alliance has expanded the generic use of the Wi-Fi term to include any type of
network or WLAN product based on any of the 802.11 standards, including 802.11b,
802.11a, dual-band, and so on, in an attempt to stop confusion about wireless LAN
interoperability.

The basics-
Wireless networks operate using radio frequency (RF) technology, a frequency within
the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF
current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to
propagate through space.

The cornerstone of a wireless network is a device known as an access point (AP). The
primary job of an access point is to broadcast a wireless signal that computers can
detect and "tune" into. Since wireless networks are usually connected to wired ones, an
access point also often serves as a link to the resources available on the a wired
network, such as an Internet connection.

In order to connect to an access point and join a wireless network, computers must be
equipped with wireless network adapters. These are often built right into the computer,
but if not, just about any computer or notebook can be made wireless-capable through
the use of an add-on adapter plugged into an empty expansion slot, USB port, or in the
case of notebooks, a PC Card slot.
Wireless speed and range-
While the official speeds of 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n networks are 11, 54, and
270 megabits per second (Mbps) respectively, these figures represent a scenario that is
simply not attainable in the real world. As a general rule, you should assume that in a
best-case scenario you will get roughly one-third of the advertised performance.

It's also worth noting that a wireless network is by definition a shared network, so the
more computers you have connected to a wireless access point the less data each will
be able to send and receive. Just as a wireless network's speed can vary greatly, so too
can the range. For example, 802.11b and g officially work over a distance of up to 328
feet indoors or 1,312 feet outdoors, but the key term there is "up to". Chances are you
won't see anywhere close to those numbers.

Uses (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.

Wireless technology standards-

The most common wireless technology standards include the following:

 802.11b: The first widely used wireless networking technology, known as

802.11b (more commonly called Wi-Fi), first debuted almost a decade ago, but is
still in use.
 802.11g: In 2003, a follow-on version called 802.11g appeared offering greater
performance (that is, speed and range) and remains today's most common
wireless networking technology.
 802.11n: Another improved standard called 802.11n is currently under
development and is scheduled to be complete in 2011.
 All of the Wi-Fi variants (802.11b, g and n products) use the same 2.4 GHz radio
frequency, and as a result are designed to be compatible with each other, so you
 can usually use devices based on the different standards within the same
wireless network.

Advantages of Wi-Fi
Unparalleled mobility and flexibility 
If you've ever installed a multi-room stereo and had to run wires through a wall, you
know the amount of time and effort it requires, not to mention the permanence of your
installation. If you want to move the receiver to another room, the wiring has to be
completely redone, and the holes patched.
Thanks to Wi-Fi, users are no longer confined by the cords that link their devices,
enabling new levels of connectivity without sacrificing function or design options. Many
new products, called music streamers, are being introduced that utilize Wi-Fi technology
to wirelessly broadcast your music to speakers located throughout your house.
Quick, easy setup 
Setting up a wireless network may sound like a daunting task, but it's actually a pretty
straightforward process. Wi-Fi networks don't require professional installation, and, best
of all, there are no holes to drill or wires to run through walls. Many new routers are
"plug-and-play," meaning you just connect them to a power outlet, plug in an Ethernet
cord, and thus your network has been created. Unfortunately, wireless security doesn't
automatically configure itself, so it's important to remember to enable it via a personal
computer once a connection to the wireless network has been established.

Fast data transfer rates 

With transfer speeds up to 54 megabits (Mb) per second (6.75 megabytes), 802.11g is
currently the fastest commercially available Wi-Fi protocol on the market. It is important
to note that this is the maximum theoretical transfer rate, not that which one should
expect on a daily basis. Nonetheless, typical 802.11g networks are more than capable
of handling the demands of streaming standard-definition TV signals, as well as CD-
quality audio.
Limitations of Wi-Fi

Security concerns 
Though typically very easy to set up, securing your Wi-Fi network requires more effort.
Wi-Fi access points do not come with encryption straight out of the box; you have to do
it from your computer once the network is up and running. An unsecured wireless
network is susceptible to attacks from hackers, potentially giving them access to all of
the information stored by the devices on your network. In addition, "friendly," yet
unauthorized computers will also be able to connect to your network, occupying
the bandwidth and hindering overall network performance.

Interference from other devices 

Wi-Fi transmissions take place primarily within the 2.4 GHz spectrum, making them
susceptible to interference from Bluetooth® wireless enabled devices, cordless
telephones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, and other household devices. The farther
your Wi-Fi devices are located from these known interferers—and the closer they are to
one another—the more robust your signal will be, so keep that in mind during setup.
If you live in an apartment complex or in close proximity to your neighbors, their wireless
network can also be a source of interference.
Lack of support for high-quality media streaming 
Even the fastest current Wi-Fi standards are pushed beyond their limit when trying to
handle some of today's high-end media. High-definition audio and video files
are bandwidth and timely-delivery-intensive, and typical wireless networks have neither
the transfer speeds nor the consistency to transfer them flawlessly. This problem is
further compounded if there are multiple devices connected to the same access
point because the bandwidth must be divided between all of the equipment.