Wireless Networking
In the company I work for, we have recently started implementing wireless networking throughout the building. This has been quite an exciting time for me with my job. Finally I have the opportunity and the chance to place computers in areas that previously did not have network connection or access in them. The wireless option essentially opens access where access was not previously available
Wireless networking has also dropped in price, mainly due to the 802.11 standard that has been set. The prices have become so affordable that we are considering doubling the size of our computer lab with wireless networking. Our original plan was to have a student lab with 30+ computers, but because of where and how the wires would’ve have been in the room we opted to go with the smaller lab. One recent realization has been that the current room where our lab is located was “Wired” to handle numerous computers, where as the planned future lab isn’t. Should this stop us from moving the computer lab to the bigger room? With a wireless solution fewer connections are needed, so a multi “Wired” room is no longer a requirement for a student lab. I believe that using the larger room will still be an option that we can work with here in the near future.
Currently the 802.11 standard is being challenged by Intel themselves. Intel has joined with Broadcom Corp., Atheros Communications Inc. and Marvell Semiconductor Inc. and seem to be focusing their attention to Media Access Control. Intel seems to be in the process of making a new standard despite all the standards already set in place by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). This particular article mentioned something about a quarrel between Intel and Airgo but it is believed that the manufactures will have to come forth with what they are presenting sooner or later. If it is outside the standard it will be an uphill battle to make it become the standard over what is already set in place. Since two or three days have passed since I’ve last written on this entry, apparently Intel has released some information on their new chip. Reports have stated that the new Intel chip will be able to tell distances of the computer by timing how long it takes the packet to fully route from the router to the computer back to the router. The new feature will also offer more security with WLAN’s by preventing Passer-by’s from accessing WLAN’s. The interface may even be able to tell when a wall is obstructing the signal. This will be a useful upgrade to larger companies with WLAN’s who could use extra security for their WLAN’s. The other companies have seem to have parted with the Intel Corp. and are focusing on wireless chips that focus on less power consumption. The future of wireless and wireless in laptops will be evolving more here in the near future.