Technology: Wireless Networks - ' Fact Sheet '
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The use of wireless lans in the 802.11 frequency range is growing rapidly—sometimes not by choice. That means companies should stay in front of the technology, which offers flexibility and benefits far beyond the simple ability to move computers around the office. Wireless can also have a significant positive effect on corporate culture.
WIRELESS LANS LET COMPANIES…
- Flexibly manage employees' office moves and changes.
- More easily support untethered workers—in and out of the office.
- Creatively rethink warehouse- and retail-based business processes.
- Boost productivity through flexible, always-on connections.
- Support a culture that gets information and solves problems in real
time.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Management tools are nascent, so trouble-shooting networks can be
tough.
Dead zones and conflicts with other wireless devices can disrupt and kill
connections.
Standards are changing rapidly, so existing products can soon become
obsolete.
Security remains problematic (see next month's CIO Insight).
FLAVORS
- 802.11b: Most common, known as Wi-Fi, and the
cheapest. Rated at 11 megabits per second; common throughput is 5.5 megabits
per second.
- 802.11a: Next-generation specification,
products recently introduced but prices dropping rapidly. Rated at 54 megabits
per second; 25 mbps likely.
- 802.11g: Improves on reliability of 802.11a at
speeds intended to be greater than 802.11b.
MAJOR PLAYERS
Platform Vendors
- Cisco Systems, Inc.: The Aironet 340 series is
at the high end, offering extensive management features.
- Linksys Group, Inc.: This company offers some
of the least expensive products, but without the robust security extensions of
competitors.
- 3Com Corp.: Relatively new to Wi-Fi, 3Com's
WLAN Launcher for its PC cards seeks out available access points.
Tools
- Sniffer Technologies' Sniffer Wireless: The
protocol analyzer for wireless LANs allows network managers to watch wireless
traffic.
- Ethereal: Free protocol analyzer for Windows
and Unix.
- AirTraf: Open source 802.11b protocol
analyzer.
RESOURCES
www.80211-planet.com
Web site
providing broad range of resources, including a conference.
www.wireless
ethernet.org
Sponsored by the Wire-less Ethernet Compati-bility Alliance,
includes listings of certified 802.11 products.
www.oreillynet.com/
topics/wireless/802.11
O'Reilly Network's popular wireless LAN resource
page for the more technically inclined.
grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11
The Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. working group site on wireless LANs,
for the very technical.
www.extremetech.com/
article/0,3396,s=1034&a= 22938,00.asp
ExtremeTech's analysis of fast
Wi-Fi products.
www.apple.com/
airport/faq
Apple's frequently asked questions about the most recent
version of its AirPort wireless access point.
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