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CS 2402 / CS 72 MOBILE AND PERVASIVE COMPUTING
WI-FI NOTES

Wireless Fidelity popularly known as Wi-Fi, developed on IEEE 802.11 standards, is
widely used technology advancement in wireless communication. As the name
indicates, WI-FI provides wireless access to applications and data across a radio
network. WI-FI sets up numerous ways to build up a connection between the
transmitter and the receiver such as DSSS, FHSS, IR Infrared and OFDM.

What is Wi-Fi

The development on WI-FI technology began in 1997 when the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) introduced the 802.11 technology that carried higher
capacities of data across the network. This greatly interested some of major brands
across the globe such as the world famous Cisco Systems or 3COM. Initially, the price of
Wi-Fi was very high but around in 2002, the IT market witnessed the arrival of a
breakthrough product that worked under the new 802.11 g standards. In 2003, IEEE
sanctioned the standard and the world saw the creation of affordable Wi-Fi for the
masses.

Wi-Fi provides its users with the liberty of connecting to the Internet from any place
such as their home, office or a public place without the hassles of plugging in the
wires. Wi-Fi is quicker than the conventional modem for accessing information over a
large network. With the help of different amplifiers, the users can easily change their
location without disruption in their network access. Wi-Fi devices are compliant with
each other to grant efficient access of information to the user. Wi-Fi location where the
users can connect to the wireless network is called a Wi-Fi hotspot. Through the Wi-Fi
hotspot, the users can even enhance their home business, as accessing information
through Wi-Fi is simple. Accessing a wireless network through a hotspot in some cases
is cost-free while in some it may carry additional charges. Many standard Wi-Fi devices
such as PCI, miniPCI, USB, Cardbus and PC card, ExpressCard make the Wi-Fi experience
convenient and pleasurable for the users. Distance from a wireless network can lessen
the signal strength to quite an extent; some devices such as Ermanno Pietrosemoli and
EsLaRed of Venezuela Distance are used for amplifying the signal strength of the
network. These devices create an embedded system that corresponds with any other
node on the Internet.

The market is flooded with various Wi-Fi software tools. Each of these tools is
specifically designed for different types of networks, operating systems and usage
type. For accessing multiple network platforms, Aircrack-ng is by far the best amongst
its counterparts. The preferred Wi-Fi software tools list for Windows users is: KNSGEM
II, NetStumbler, OmniPeek, Stumbverter, Wi-Fi Hopper, APTools. Unix users should
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pick any of the following: Aircrack, Aircrack-ptw, AirSnort, CoWPAtty,Karma . Whereas,
Mac users are presented with these options: MacStumble, KisMAC, Kismet. It is
imperative for users to pick out a Wi-Fi software tool that is compatible with their
computer and its dynamics.

Wi-Fi uses radio networks to transmit data between its nodes. Such networks are made
up of cells that provide coverage across the network. The more the number of cells, the
greater and stronger is the coverage on the radio network. The radio technology is a
complete package deal as it offers a safe and consistent connectivity. Radio bands such
as 2.4GHz and 5GHz depend on wireless hardware such as Ethernet protocol and CSMA.
Initially, Phase Shift Keying (PSK), a modulation method for conveying data was used,
however now it has been replaced with CCK.

Wi-Fi uses many spectrums such as FHSS and DSSS. The most popular Wi-Fi technology
such as 802.11b operates on the range of 2.40 GHz up to 2.4835 GHz band. This
provides a comprehensive platform for operating Bluetooth strategy, cellular phones,
and other scientific equipment. While 802.11a technology has the range of 5.725 GHz to
5.850 GHz and provides up to 54 Mbps in speed. 802.11g technology is even better as it
covers three non-overlapping channels and allows PBCC. 802.11e technology takes a
fair lead by providing excellent streaming quality of video, audio, voice channels etc.

To connect to a Wi-Fi network an wireless adapter card is essential. Additional
knowledge about the SSID, infrastructure, and data encryption is also required. The Wi-
Fi users dont have to be concerned with the security issues. The security methods such
as MAC ID filtering, Static IP addressing and WEP encryption ensure the user privacy to
the maximum.

Video demonstration on what is Wi-Fi technology
Click Here
Video demonstration on how Wi-Fi technology works
Click Here

Some of the Wi-Fi devices are
1. Desktop Wireless Wi-Fi Cards
2. Laptop / Notebook Wireless Wi-Fi Cards
3. Wireless Wi-Fi USB Adapters
4. Wireless Wi-Fi Routers
5. Handhelds and PDAs
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Features of Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi has brought a new aspect in the ground of networking. The broadcast of data is
completed via radio waves and the cost of cables for network lying down. Wi-Fi enable a
user to get access to internet anywhere in the given location. Now you can make a
network in Hotels, Libraries, colleges, universities, campus, private institutes, and coffee
shops and even on a public place to make your business more profitable and connect
with their client any time. Wi-Fi makes waves for business with their highly effective
cable less media.

1. Unmatched mobility and elasticity:
Wi-Fi, is allowing new intensity of connectivity without giving up functions. Wi-Fi
introduced various types of utilities such music streamers that transmit your music to
speakers without any wire you can also play music from the remote computer or any
other attached to the network. The most important now you can play online radio. Wi-Fi
technology system is rather remarkable, you can download songs, send email and
transfer files expediently at sky-scraping speed and you can move your computer easily
because your Wi-Fi network has no cable to disrupt your work so we can say that it is
quite easy, helpful and most of all expedient.

2. Fortress Technology
Wi-Fi providing secure wireless solutions support the growth and release of a
prototype mobile ad hoc wireless network for use in the wireless strategic skirmish.

3. Support an entire age bracket.
Wi-Fi technology has several advantages it support an entire age bracket and create a
connection between components on the same network and have ability to transfer data
between the devices and enable different kind of devices such as game, MP3 player,
PDAs and much more!

4. It's convenient and every where
Wi-Fi is a convenient technology and where the range station exists you are online
during travel you can equip with a Wi-Fi network and set up shop anyplace. You will
automatically connect with internet if you are near hotspot. These days Wi-Fi exist
everywhere with all its wonders.

5. More faster and secure
With Wi-Fi you can get high speed of internet because it is very fast than DSL and Cable
connection you can establish a Wi-Fi network in small space now you dont need any
professional installation just connect to a power outlet with an Ethernet cord, and start
browsing. Wi-Fi security system for Threats makes it more renewable and its tool
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protect your VPN and secure web page. You can easily configure the device to take
better performance. The standard devices, embedded systems and network security
make it more powerful.

6. Wi-Fi with no limitation
You can use a Wi-Fi network with no limitation because it can connect you worldwide.
You can easily reach to your requirements with Wi-Fi networking applications because
the power consumption is very high as compared to other bandwidth. The vision of
wireless network is bright with Pre-N products and high quality media streaming.

Limitations of Wi-Fi:

1. Security concerns
It is simple to set Wi-Fi network but keeping it secure takes much more effort, Access
points of Wi-Fi do not deploy encryption methods. It is required to be done as network
is enabled. Secure Wi-Fi network can be easily attacked by hackers to steal private
information.
Guests who are not potentially harmful can still utilize the network resources and
minimize the performance.

2. Interference from other devices
Wi-Fi transmits data at 2.4 GHz making susceptible to interfere Bluetooth enabled
devices, mobile phones, cordless, Microwaves and other communication devices, closer
the interfering devices are the poor communication will be and vice versa.

3. Lacking high-quality media streaming
Todays fastest Wi-Fi standards are pushed beyond their limit when trying to view high
end media.High definition video and audios cannot be viewed flawlessly because of
lower transfer rate; things can be much more worst if other clients are accessing the
same access points.

Even the fastest current Wi-Fi standards are pushed beyond their limit when trying to
handle some of today's high-end media. High-definition audio and video files are timely-
delivery-intensive, and typical wireless networks have neither the transfer speeds nor
the consistency to transfer them flawlessly. This problem is further compounded if
there are multiple devices connected to the same because the bandwidth must be
divided between all of the equipment.
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