Wireless networking or Wi-Fi has become a commonplace. Game systems, computers, printers and devices like cell phones and tablets all interconnect thru radio waves using an industrial standard called 802.11 established by the IEEE. In the user's home or in public places like coffee shops or restaurants, these devices can connect to a network.
Equipment for Wi-Fi Networks
Majority of computer networks need some sort of device in the computer to transmit and receive a radio signal. In majority of modern computers on board Wi-Fi comes factory installed and automatically detects available networks. To process signals, older devices might require the installation of a card or USB adapter. While such devices are typically automatically detectded, legacy computers may require the installation of driver software to get them working.
Also, infrastructure networks require a wireless access point, normally built into a network router. These devices may be purchased at a very low cost. Some consumers may choose to rent them from their Internet service provider.
Types of Wi-Fi networks
At airports, libraries and other public places, users have no control over the wireless networks but the systems in their own homes are theirs to design. There are two basic types of networks to consider.
Ad hoc networks let each device to detect and connect to all the others in a peer to peer relationship. They require no central router, but each device must have wireless access and must be set to ad hoc mode. Typically one device will have a hard wired Internet connection and will act as a gateway to all the others. Ad hoc networks are less secure than infrastructure networks. They operate at far lower speeds and over shorter distances. They are usually useful in homes with just a couple of devices, in areas where an inexpensive temporary network must be established quickly and as a safety net in case the main network fails but they are rarely used as a primary network.
Infrastructure networks have a central connecting point, usually a wireless router that connects all the wireless devices in the network to a wired Ethernet network. These are faster than ad hoc networks and they can deal with more devices over a larger area. They are also far more secure. Like ad hoc networks they need each device to have wireless access, but also, they require a wireless access point. Infrastructure networks are much more easily secured.
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Wi-Fi is not restricted to the home. Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) manufacturing machinery like a 5 axis CNC router can interface with a Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) program over a Wi-Fi network if bandwidth is sufficient. Projects designed with CAD/CAM software could be produced with a device like an American CNC router controlled over a Wi-Fi network.
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