What is Wireless Network? | Wireless Security | Types of Wireless Network

Wireless Network

Wireless Network allows you to connect one or more computers or other devices such as mobiles, laptops, and printers so that you can share files and access the internet, it uses radio signals.

Wireless Networks “are networks that use radio waves to connect devices, without the necessity of using cables of any kind”.

Wireless networks work similarly to a wired network; however wireless networks must convert information signals into a form suitable for transmission through the air medium.

Wireless networks serve many purposes. In some cases, they are used as cable replacements, while in other cases they are used to provide access to corporate data from remote locations.

Wireless Technologies

Wireless networks can be classified into four main categories according to the area of application and their signal range;

 

1. Wireless Personal-Area Networks (WPAN).

WPAN is based on the IEEE 802.15 standard. They communicate in short-range about 10 meters. It is created by interconnecting devices within a relatively small area. These technologies rely on technologies such as Bluetooth, and Zigbee.

Advantages of WPAN

1. It is very reliable.
2. Full secure network
3. It is used in TV remotes, AC remotes, etc.

 

Disadvantages of WPAN

1. Operated in less range
2. Transfer of data is slow
3. Interfere with radio signal

 

2. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Are designed to provide wireless access in areas with a typical range of up to 100 meters, and is used mostly in homes, schools, and computer laboratories or office environments. WLAN is based on IEEE 802.11 standard. The maximum transfer rate for IEEE 802.11 is 54 Mbps.

 

Advantages of WLAN

1. It is easier to remove or add a workstation.
2. It provides a high data rate due to small area coverage.
3. It is economical because of the small area access.

 

Disadvantages of WLAN

1. WLAN requires a license.
2. It has a limited area to cover.
3. If there is rain or thunder, then communication may interfere.

 

3. Wireless Metropolitan-Area Network (WMAN)

WMAN is based on IEEE 802.16 standard, which is often called WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). WMAN is the interconnection of LANs (Local Area networks). WMAN has a greater coverage distance compared to WLAN.

Advantages of WMAN

1. High security compared to WWAN
2. Has greater coverage area compared to WLAN
3. Easy to implement link

 

Disadvantages of WMAN

1. Large network difficult to manage.
2. Data rate is slow compared to WLAN
3. Mana cables require a WMAN connection from one place to another.
4. Cost is higher compared to WLAN.

 

4. Wireless Wide-Area Network (WWAN)

WWAN extends beyond 50 kilometers and typically uses licensed frequency. It can be maintained over large areas like cities, and countries, via satellite systems or antennas.

Advantages of WWAN

1. Cover large geographical area.
2. Centralized data.
3. More efficiency
4. Software files are shared among all users.

 

Disadvantages of WWAN

1. Investment costs are high.
2. It is difficult to maintain the network since it requires a skilled technician.
3. It has lower security compared to WLAN and WMAN due to its wide coverage area.

 

Advantages of Wireless Network

1. Can be easily installed.
2. They are inexpensive as no wires are used.
3. More scalable.
4. Allows multiple devices to simultaneously use the same wireless connection.

 

Wireless Network Operations

The wireless adapter receives the data from the computer and translates it into a radio signal. The radio signal is then transmitted through an antenna, the wireless router receives the radio and decodes it, and sends data to the receiver.

 

Wireless Security

Wireless security is the prevention of unauthorized access or damage to computers or data using wireless networks which include Wi-Fi networks. The most common type of Wi-Fi securities is Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), and Wi-Fi Protected Setup(WPS).

WEP is designed to provide a wireless local area network with a level of security and privacy.

WPA was developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to provide more sophisticated data encryption and better user authentication than WEP.

WEP version one (WEP) was introduced in 2003, WEP version two (WEP 2) was introduced in 2004, and WEP version three (WEP 3) was introduced in 2018.

 

Limitations of Wireless Network

1. Interference
2. Multipath fading
3. Reflection Materials
4. Hidden node problem
5. Absorption wireless network.