Chapter 1: Introducing Wireless Networks
Exam Objectives
Describing standards associated with wireless media
Identifying some of the governing bodies that are involved with WLANs, such as the IEEE Wi-Fi Alliance and the ITU/FCC
It would be rare for a networking specialist in the current networking environment to not have to work with wireless devices or wireless networking. This mobile technology has gone way beyond the brick-like phones of the 1980s and has invaded all aspects of our society. This chapter reviews where this technology stands today and where it has come from.
Wireless technologies have been around for more than a hundred years, with the beginnings of commercial wireless technologies starting with Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi around the beginning of the 20th century. With each major increase in technology through the 20th century, many of these technologies were used to improve wireless communications. Just as early wireless was used to transmit traditional telegraph signals wirelessly, current wireless is used to transmit traditional networking signals wirelessly.
Purpose of Wireless Networks
The main goal of wireless networking is to provide mobility to network users, regardless of where their network access devices may be. Within an office, this may mean that moving users from one office to another becomes easier, or when planning to move into new offices, you can avoid the costly and manual job of running cables through the ceilings and walls. Outside ...
