Definition

• a local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet; uses Ethernet protocol
• also known as 802.11 networking
• uses a router to transmit signal
  

Details

• used in airports, coffee shops, libraries, hotels, etc
• When in use
• first, a computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna.
• then, a wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection.
• it transmits at frequencies of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, which allows the signal to carry more data
• 802.11 networking standards
• 802.11a transmits at 5 GHz and uses OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) to reduce interference
• 802.11b is the slowest and least expensive, transmits in the 2.4 GHz frequency band
• 802.11g transmits at 2.4 GHz but a lot faster than 802.11b because it uses same OFDM coding as 802.11a
• 802.11n is the newest standard, improves speed and range, currently in draft form
  
• Advantages
• easy to set up and inexpensive
• unobtrusive--you won't know it's there unless you are looking for it!
• Disadvantages
• SECURITY!
• Uses
• cell phones
• bluetooth
• laptops
• and more...
  

Resources

• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wifi
• http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
• http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network1.htm
• http://wifinetnews.com/