Wireless

Wireless technology is quickly evolving, enabling mobile workers to access valuable network information with enhanced speed and flexibility anywhere within the enterprise. Wireless technology enables users to bring networks to them, rather than users to networks.

Wiring a new building or an existing building can be plagued by problems. Hiring contractors to pull wires is one problem. Other problems may prevent doing this in the first place. Asbestos insulation and removal cause unnecessary health problems. One must also consider the time needed to install and properly terminate wiring. All of this can be avoided by installing a wireless network. The time needed to install is a fraction of what wired networks require. If the network is a temporary configuration, all resources can be reused for the next installation. The total cost of ownership is less expensive when compared to wired networks.

PAN
Building a wireless network can take many different forms depending on the needs of the user. Personal Area Networks (PAN) work well for individual users that want to eliminate the hassle of wiring their homes. These products are consumer oriented, but could be used in a small office configurations. Typical uses are printers, PDAs and peripheral devices that need connectivity. This can be facilitated by technologies such as Bluetooth and WI-FI (802.11a, b or g) networks.

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WLAN
 

A WLAN is wireless LAN (WLAN), a flexible data communication system implemented as an extension to, or alternative for, a wired LAN within a building or campus. Using radio frequencies, WLANs transmit and receive data through the air, minimizing wired connections. Therefore, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility, and through simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.

Typical Users Of WLAN
The first key concept is that a WLAN is an enhancement to a user's wired network. This means users can protect current investments while integrating new technology. Every business is a potential user of wireless technology. The table below offers a few examples of wireless technology can integrated:

Wireless LAN Deployment
A few things to keep in mind when planning a WLAN:

1. User requirements. Understand the needs of your organization.  Many WLANs are enhancements to existing networks. In this case, you may have a much larger user base and the needs of the organization may be much different then a smaller network. Take the time and sit down with as many people as possible, or run the risk of offering solutions that will not work.
    
2. Site Survey. Site surveys are critical to the proper design of networks. You can not guess at this. You must conduct a site survey, otherwise it is guaranteed you will have dead zones in the wireless design.
    
3. Installation and testing. Once the equipment is installed, you will need to check that all components are working and that coverage meets user requirements.
    
4. Security. Security must be part of the initial design, and an ongoing security maintenance program must be in place. The use of firewalls, encryption, RADIUS servers and VPN configurations must be addressed. No WLAN should be installed without a total security plan. Use wireless APs that support 802.1X, 128-bit WEP and the use of both multicast/global and unicast session encryption keys.
    
5. Interference. 802.11b devices run in the 2.4-GHz range, as well as cordless phones and microwave devices. Be certain these devices are accounted for. If you can not avoid interference from these devices, you should consider using 802.11a which runs in the 5-GHz range.
    
6. Interoperability. When designing a WLAN, it is best to use devices from one manufacturer. Because this is not always feasible, make sure all devices are WI-FI compatible and are able to communicate with all other devices.

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WWAN

Wireless Wide Area Networks are becoming more common as the technology becomes more prevalent. Typically, this type of configuration was the domain of carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Bell South, etc. Now there are alternatives. Depending on the needs of the user, WWAN can go as far as 70 miles or as close as across the street without needing to interact with large telephone carriers. For environments that need temporary connectivity (or even long term) this is a great alternative.

Mobile Wireless
The workforce is becoming more mobile and more dependant on data and tools they normally find in their offices. The next logical step is to bring these tools out to the field staff. New technology such as 3G is allowing this to happen today. Both voice and data can now traverse the same network, for field staffs that are more productive. Sprint PCS and T-Mobile are two carriers that offer complete sets of business tools to enable network users to be more productive while on the road.

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