WIRELESS NETWORKING IN LAPTOPS

Wireless network uses radio signal to communicate with wireless enabled computers and laptops. There is a transmitter and a number of receiver points. If you are within 300-800 feet radius of a receiver then your wireless enabled laptop will login to the network and communicate. A wireless network gives you maximum portability for your laptop.

Most laptops come with preinstalled wireless drivers. If you do not have a wireless enabled laptop then you would need to buy a wireless card. The card has a driver and you need to install that in your laptop. A wireless card costs around $90-$150. Both Macintosh and Windows platform support wireless card. Once it is installed you need to register to the network. If you want to connect to your office network your IT department will help you in registering your laptop to the network.

Following are some points to keep in mind while networking via wireless in your laptop:

• A wireless network costs less than a wired network.
• The speed of wireless network is lesser than wired networks.
• Wireless signals are disrupted if you are near a tree or a metal object.
• A wireless card uses battery power from your laptop.
• Wireless network also restricts accessibility to a certain number of users.

What is Wi-Fi?

You must have come across the terms Wi-Fi zone or Wi-Fi hotspot. Wi-Fi is a brand owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance. It uses wireless technology to provide Internet services to users connected to a wireless local network in a Wi-Fi Zone or hotspot. Hotspots are commercial access zones and the Internet service is free. If your laptop has a 802.11b wireless capability then you will be able to connect to your nearby Wi-Fi zone for example in your local coffee shop if it is a Wi-Fi hotspot.

If you are using a public hotspot remember that these are not secure. You must enable your Internet Firewall and avoid working on sensitive information while accessing Internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot.

What is Infrared?

You can enable wireless networking in your laptop by using Infrared devices as well. However it can be used only for short-range data transfer and you can exchange data only with an Infrared enabled device. In order to use Infrared your laptop must have an IRDA (Infrared Data Association) wireless port. To use Infrared for data transmission you will need line of sight with the other device. If your laptop does not come with an Infrared port then you can add an Infrared port device on an USB port of your laptop.

You can use Infrared to connect to your laptop with your Infrared compatible mobile phone, PDA, mouse, keyboard or printer. You can also connect a Network Interface card to your Infrared and access your home or office network.

Wireless networking has given users ultimate portability for their laptops. Move from one room to another, from the college library to the classroom while staying connected to the network. It saves time and reduces the hassles of plugging and unplugging a number of cords. Make the best use of the wireless networking facilities of your laptop but do ensure that you have taken proper security measures.