TAMPA BAY
Wireless Network Technology
"NINE YEARS IN COMPUTER REPAIR"
WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY COMPARISON
A vs B vs G |
Wireless
Standard |
802.11b |
802.11a |
802.11g |
| Popularity |
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Widely adopted.
Readily available everywhere.
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New technology
|
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New technology with rapid growth expected.
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Speed |
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Up to 11Mbps
(note: cable modem service typically averages no more than 4 to 5 Mbps).
|
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Up to 54Mbps
(5X greater than 802.11b)
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Up to 54Mbps
(5X greater than 802.11b) |
Relative
Cost |
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Inexpensive
|
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Relatively more expensive |
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Relatively inexpensive
|
| Frequency |
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More crowded 2.4GHz band. Some conflict may occur with other 2.4GHz devices like cordless phones, microwave ovens, etc.
|
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Uncrowded 5GHz band can coexist with 2.4GHz networks without interference. |
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More crowded 2.4GHz band. Some conflict may occur with other 2.4GHz devices like cordless phones, microwave ovens, etc.
|
| Range |
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Good Range. Typically up to 100-150 feet indoors, depending on construction, building materials, room layout.
|
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Shorter range than 802.11b & 802.11g. Typically 25 to 75 feet |
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Good Range. Typically up to 100-150 feet indoors, depending on construction, building materials, room layout. |
|
Public Access |
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The number of public "hotspots" is growing rapidly, allowing wireless connectivity in many airports, hotels, college campuses, public areas and restaurants. |
 |
None at this time.
|
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Compatible with current 802.11b hotspots (at 11Mbps). Also, it is expected that most 802.11b hotspots will quickly convert to 802.11g. |
| Compatibility |
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Widest adoption.
|
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Incompatible with 802.11b or 802.11g
|
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Operates with 802.11b networks (at 11Mbps). Incompatible with 802.11a
|
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BENEFITS
A vs B vs G |
802.11b
WIRELESS-B |
802.11a
WIRELESS-A |
802.11g
WIRELESS-G |
-
Lowest price
- Excellent signal range
- Coverage penetrates most walls
- Works with public "hotspots"
|
-
Supports more users per room
- Unaffected by interference from 2.4GHz devices
- Can co-exist with B and G networks
- Coverage limited to one room
|
-
Best value for 5 times the speed of Wireless-B
- Compatible with Wireless-B networks and hotspots
- Excellent signal range
- Coverage penetrates most walls
- Works with public "hotspots"
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What Can Affect Wireless Performance?
Actual performance of wireless networks depend on a number of factors including:
- In an Infrastructure environment, your distance from the access point. As you get farther away, the transmission speed will decrease if additional access points are not available in the area.
- Structural interference. The shape of your building or structure, the type of construction, and the building materials used may have an adverse impact on signal quality and speed if additional access points are not available in the area.
- The placement and orientation of the wireless devices.
What Type of Interference Can Affect Wireless Performance?
Any device operating in the 2.4GHz spectrum may cause network interference with a 802.11b wireless device. Some devices that may prove troublesome include:
- 2.4GHz cordless phones
- Microwave ovens
- Adjacent public hotspots
- Neighboring 802.11b wireless LANs.
Are There Security Issues with Wireless Networks?
Current generation wireless products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation.
While the following is a complete list, steps A through E should, at least be followed:
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WIRELESS SECURITY MEASURES |
A. Change the default SSID
B. Disable SSID Broadcasts
C. Change the default password for the Administrator account
D. Enable MAC Address Filtering
E. Change the SSID periodically
F. Enable WEP 128-bit Encryption. Please note that this will reduce your network performance.
G. Change the WEP encryption keys periodically. |
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A good professional should explain wireless security measures when your wireless network is installed.
What Security Threats do Wireless Networks Pose?
Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that in order to join a wireless network, wireless networking products first listen for "beacon messages". These messages are not encrypted and contain much of the network's information, such as the network's SSID (Service Set Identifier) and the IP Address of the network PC or access point. One result of this, seen in many large cities and business districts, is called "Warchalking". This is one of the terms used for hackers looking to access free bandwidth and free Internet access through your wireless network. Here are the steps you can take:
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WARCHALKING DEFENSE! |
- Change the administrator's password regularly. With every wireless networking device you use, keep in mind that network settings (SSID, WEP keys, etc.) are stored in its firmware. Your network administrator is the only person who can change network settings. If a hacker gets a hold of the administrator's password, the hacker can change those settings. So, make it harder for a hacker to get that information. Change the administrator's password regularly.
- SSID. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. Hackers know these defaults and can check theses against your network. Change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use. Change your SSID regularly so hackers who have gained access to your wireless network will have to start from the beginning in trying to break in. There are several things to keep in mind about the SSID:
- Disable Broadcast
- Make it unique
- Change it often
- MAC Addresses. Enable MAC Address filtering. MAC Address filtering will allow you to provide access to only those wireless nodes with certain MAC Addresses. This makes it harder for a hacker to access your network with a random MAC Address
- WEP Encryption. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is often looked upon as a panacea for wireless security concerns. This is overstating WEP's ability. Again, this can only provide enough security to make a hacker's job more difficult. There are several ways that WEP can be maximized:
- Use the highest level of encryption possible
- Use a "Shared" Key
- Use Multiple WEP keys
- Change your WEP key regularly
Implementing encryption will have a negative impact on your network's performance. If you are transmitting sensitive data over your network, encryption should be used.
These security recommendations should help keep your mind at ease while you are enjoying the most flexible and convenient technology designed for today's home and business user.
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The Benefits of Wireless Out Weigh Security Threats
Using today's technology to create more robust experiences such as:
- Share your high-speed Internet connection
- Share your music, pictures, and other files
- Secure your computers against Internet treats through firewall technology
- Play head-to-head games online
- Share your printer
- Working from other areas of the home or business
- Networking your home or business without wiring through walls or ceilings
- Connect to the office from the edge of your home swimming pool, and more!
If you have more than one computer, a home network will let you share resources among them. Any computer can print to a shared printer located anywhere in the house. And your computers can share all kinds of files - music, digital pictures, and documents. Keep all your digital music on one computer, and listen to it anywhere in the house. Organize and keep all your family's digital pictures in one place, so it's easy to find the ones you want and make backup copies on CD-R. Use extra free space on one computer when another's hard drive starts to fill up. Play network computer games either head-to-head, or on a team.
If you sign up for a cable or DSL Internet connection, a home network will allow all your computers to share the line. Everybody can keep a private e-mail account and surf the web at the same time. you can also play online computer games with friends and opponents from around the world.
Plus, the same router that lets your share Internet access also helps to protect your computers from Internet threats.
Call Today!
Our Technical staff is ready to exceed your expectations.
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