![wireless network radar wireless network radar](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hkTI2Rn2qQU/UV-1SkdoOZI/AAAAAAAAAHk/WRHPcBlh_Tg/s1600/Untitled.jpg)
However that does not mean that there are not other technologies that can operate in these bands. These frequency bands are not the same that cellular networks use, so cell phones and Wi-Fi are not in competition for use of the same frequencies. Wi-Fi communication is only approved to transmit on specific frequencies, in most parts of the world these are the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, although many countries are now adding 6GHz frequencies as well. When received, this is de-modulated, converted back to digital data, and then forwarded along to its destination (often the internet or a resource on the larger internal network). Data from the client (or from the AP to the client) is converted from digital data into an RF modulated signal and transmitted over the air. If either of these fail, the device will not successfully join the network and will be unable to further communicate with the AP.Īssuming all goes well, we come to the part that is the end user’s ultimate goal: passing data. These processes are known as Association & Authentication. If the user wants to connect to the network, it can send messages to the AP trying to join and (when security is enabled) providing the proper credentials to prove they have the right to join. The beacon can be thought of as an announcement saying “Hello, I have a network here, if it’s the network you’re looking for, you can join”.Ī client device receives the beacon transmitted by the AP and converts the RF signal into digital data, then that data is passed along to the device for interpretation. The AP advertises this by way of transmissions called beacons. This is called a Service Set Identifier (SSID) and it is what users see when they look at the list of available networks on their phone or laptops. In a typical Wi-Fi network, the AP (Access Point) will advertise the specific network that it offers connectivity to. Users who connect to this network will typically find their traffic bridged to a local-area network (LAN) wired network (like Ethernet) for communication to the larger network or even the internet.Ī Wi-Fi based wireless network sends signals using radio waves (cellular phones and radios also transmit over radio waves, but at different frequencies and modulation). Access Point (AP): An access point (AP) consists of a Wi-Fi that is advertising a network name (known as a Service Set Identifier, or SSID).For example, if employees have to use scanners to register packages due to be shipped, a wireless network provides the flexibility they need to freely move about the warehouse. In some instances, mobility within an office, warehouse, or other work area is necessary. This gives users the ability to move about the area without sacrificing their bridge to the network. As the reach of Wi-Fi has expanded, a variety of devices may be using Wi-Fi to connect the network, including phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and more. Clients: What we tend to think of as the end user devices are typically called ‘clients’.Several components make up a wireless network’s topology: This has forced Wi-Fi networks to implement various security measures over the years to protect the confidentiality of information passed wirelessly. This has several implications: 1) unlike a wired network, wireless can’t both talk and listen at the same time, it is “half duplex” 2) All users are sharing the same space must take turns to talk 3) everyone can ‘hear’ all traffic going on. In a Wi-Fi network, the medium (the radio frequency being used for the network) is a shared resource, not just for the users of the network, but often for other technologies as well (Wi-Fi operates in what are called ‘shared’ bands, where many different electronic devices are approved to operate). In addition, most wired networks have a dedicated cable that runs to each end user device. Most modern wired networks are now “full duplex”, meaning that they can be transmitting/receiving packets in both directions simultaneously. There are more subtle technology differences that come in to play between wired and wireless. These devices are often desktop or laptop computers but can also include scanners and point-of-sale machines. A wired network, on the other hand, makes use of cables that connect devices to the network. At the most obvious, a wireless network keeps devices connected to a network while still allowing them the freedom to move about, unencumbered by wires.