Benefits and Risks of Wireless Networks

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Questions and Answers

What is the maximum range of Bluetooth communication?

30 metres

10 metres (correct)

15 metres

5 metres

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of Bluetooth?

No license is required

Can connect multiple devices simultaneously (correct)

Lower power consumption than Wi-Fi

No line of sight required

Which application is a common use of Bluetooth technology?

Streaming HD video

Downloading large files from the Internet

Using a Bluetooth speaker to play music (correct)

Connecting to a wired network

Which statement about Bluetooth is accurate?

Can use a passkey for secure connections Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Bluetooth technology?

Current data transfer rates are slow Signup and view all the answers

How does Bluetooth communicate with devices?

Using wireless protocol Signup and view all the answers

What type of network does Bluetooth typically operate within?

Personal Area Network (PAN) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about Bluetooth connections?

They can connect multiple devices at once Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a wireless communication method?

Fibre optic Signup and view all the answers

What is a common device used to connect to a wireless network?

Wi-Fi access point Signup and view all the answers

What type of network usually includes a combination of wired and wireless connections?

Mixed network Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices is commonly associated with RFID technology?

RFID scanner Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a short-range wireless communication method?

Zigbee Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would typically be found in a supermarket network?

Wi-Fi access points Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of combining wired and wireless networks?

To provide flexibility and coverage Signup and view all the answers

Which type of connection would likely be used for a long-distance data transmission?

Fibre optic Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of Wi-Fi networks for mobile devices?

They save on data costs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following risks is associated with using a wireless network?

Hackers can easily see data if encryption is not used. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the lower bandwidth of wireless networks compared to wired ones?

Interference from external signals. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common disadvantage of wireless networks regarding area coverage?

Range is limited and may require additional access points. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Wi-Fi network setup is noted as advantageous?

Relatively easy setup without technical experience. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Wi-Fi standards is correct?

Any device can connect if it conforms to Wi-Fi standards. Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD) policy benefit wireless networks?

It allows employees to use personal devices at work. Signup and view all the answers

What shared characteristic of wireless networks can lead to bandwidth issues?

Bandwidth is shared with other devices on the network. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary characteristic of Zigbee?

Low-energy usage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices may NOT typically use Zigbee?

Gaming consoles Signup and view all the answers

Which feature allows Zigbee devices to extend their range?

Mesh network capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum bandwidth of Zigbee?

250 kbps Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of Zigbee as mentioned in the context of device communication?

There is no standard method of implementation. Signup and view all the answers

How does Zigbee differ from Wi-Fi regarding cloud server reliance?

Zigbee does not rely on cloud servers. Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of the Project Connected Home Over IP (CHIP)?

To create a universal smart home standard. Signup and view all the answers

Why might separate mesh networks be problematic for device compatibility?

Devices may require multiple controllers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these controllers is compatible with Zigbee?

Amazon Echo Show Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario does Zigbee primarily operate?

Ad-hoc device networks in close proximity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the equivalent of 1 megabit in bits?

1,000,000 bits Signup and view all the answers

How many bits are in one gigabyte (GB)?

8,000,000,000 bits Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between kilobits and bytes?

1 Kbps = 1,024 bytes Signup and view all the answers

When transferring a file, what unit is used to measure time taken in seconds?

Network speed Signup and view all the answers

In a network speed expression, how is file size generally represented?

In bytes Signup and view all the answers

If a network speed is 18 Mbps, what is the transfer rate in bytes per second?

1,800,000 bytes per second Signup and view all the answers

What does a contention ratio indicate?

The number of users sharing a network bandwidth Signup and view all the answers

Which unit is used to measure network speed directly?

Bits per second Signup and view all the answers

In a file size conversion, how many bits are there in one mebibyte (MiB)?

8,388,608 bits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately converts 2 Mbps to bytes per second?

125,000 bytes per second Signup and view all the answers

In which format is file size typically expressed?

Bytes Signup and view all the answers

How is network speed often listed in networking contexts?

Using base-10 units Signup and view all the answers

What is one kibibyte (KiB) equal to in bytes?

1,024 bytes Signup and view all the answers

Which calculation yields the number of files transferred per second with a network speed of 18 Mbps and file size of 250 KiB?

64 files per second Signup and view all the answers

What is the bit equivalent of one byte?

8 bits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Benefits of Wireless Networks

Wireless networks allow devices to connect without wires, increasing freedom of movement.
Mobile phones can use Wi-Fi to save on data costs.
Wi-Fi networks offer high bandwidth, suitable for internet connectivity.
Any Wi-Fi-enabled device can connect if it complies with the Wi-Fi standard and has permission.
Setting up a Wi-Fi network at home is relatively simple, even for those without technical expertise.
Wireless networks are comparatively cost-effective due to the reduced need for cabling.
Employees can utilize their own devices (BYOD) at work.

Risks of Wireless Networks

Hackers can access data transmitted over a wireless network if encryption is not implemented.
Hackers need not gain physical access to the network, merely a wireless connection.

Disadvantages of Wireless Networks

Wireless bandwidth typically falls short of wired bandwidth, but this is usually not a concern if the internet bandwidth is limiting.
Obstacles can interrupt wireless signals, leading to data packet loss and reduced bandwidth.
The range of wireless connections is limited, requiring additional access points for larger areas.
Interference from electrical signals and microwaves can disrupt signals, resulting in data packet loss and reduced bandwidth.
Bandwidth is shared among all devices connected to the network.

Bluetooth

A wireless communication protocol designed for short-range (approximately 10 meters) communication.
It does not require a direct line of sight, making it practical for portable devices within a personal area network (PAN).

Typical Bluetooth Applications

Utilizing a mobile phone in a vehicle via Bluetooth.
Employing a Bluetooth speaker to play music.
Tethering a mobile phone’s internet connection to create a mobile hotspot.
Viewing text messages on an Apple Watch connected through Bluetooth.

Advantages of Bluetooth

Widely available on numerous portable devices.
No radio frequency license is required.
No line of sight is necessary.
Passkeys can be used to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting.
Lower power consumption compared to Wi-Fi.

Limitations of Bluetooth

Current data transfer speeds are slow.
The maximum range is limited to approximately 10 meters.
Only one device can connect to another device at a time. For instance, a Bluetooth headset cannot be used concurrently with a Bluetooth speaker when both are linked to the same mobile phone.

Zigbee

A personal area network (PAN) protocol based on low energy, low data rates, and short-range communication.
It is commonly employed for smart home devices and falls under the Internet of Things (IoT) umbrella.
Devices can be added to a Zigbee network in an ad-hoc manner.

Smart Home Devices

Common devices that may use Zigbee include:
- House alarms.
- Light bulbs.
- Light switches.
- Smart plugs.
- Central heating systems.
- Electronic blinds.
Many smart home devices are battery-powered, and Zigbee’s long battery life can extend up to several years.

Zigbee vs. Other Wireless Methods

Zigbee has a greater range than Bluetooth and forms its own mesh network, allowing smart devices to act as repeaters.
Zigbee's maximum bandwidth is 250 kbps, significantly lower than Wi-Fi, but sufficient for most smart devices.
Zigbee does not rely on cloud servers and can connect directly to a controller.

Zigbee Standards

While Zigbee is a protocol, there is no standardized implementation.
Different manufacturers use it in varying ways, requiring separate controllers for each.
Some manufacturers are compatible with common controllers such as Amazon Echo Show, Samsung Smart Things, and Apple Home Kit.
The Project Connected Home Over IP (CHIP) is an alliance of
manufacturers aiming to standardize communication between smart devices.

Example of Standards Problem

Devices from the "Red" manufacturer can only communicate with a "Red" controller and other "Red" devices.
Devices from the "Red" manufacturer cannot communicate with "Blue" or "Pink" devices or controllers.
This results in three separate mesh networks.
CHIP's goal is to establish a unified mesh network encompassing devices from all manufacturers.

Combining Wired and Wireless Networks

Most networks are a blend of wired and wireless components.
Examples include copper cables, fiber optics, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.
Controllers, such as Wi-Fi access points, Zigbee controllers, RFID scanners, and NFC-enabled devices, are connected to the network.

Network Speed Expressions

Network speeds are measured in bits per second (bps).
Common multiples used include:
- Kilobits per second (Kbps): 1,000 bits per second.
- Megabits per second (Mbps): 1,000,000 bits per second.
- Gigabits per second (Gbps): 1,000,000,000 bits per second.
One byte is equal to 8 bits.
Network speeds are traditionally measured in bits, not bytes. For instance, 16 Mbps is equivalent to 2 MB per second.

Base-10 vs. Base-2

Network speeds employ base-10 units:
- 1 Kbps = 1,000 bits per second (103) or (10001).
- 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bits per second (106) or (10002).
- 1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bits per second (109) or (10003).
File sizes use base-2 units:
- 1 KiB (kibibyte) = 1,024 bytes (210).
- 1 MiB (mebibyte) = 1,024 x 1,024 bytes (220).
- 1 GiB (gibibyte) = 1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024 bytes (230).

File Size in Bits

1 byte (B) = 8 bits.
1 KiB (kibibyte) = 1,024 bytes (210) = 1,024 x 8 bits.
1 MiB (mebibyte) = 1,024 x 1,024 bytes (220) = 1,024 x1,024 x 8 bits.
1 GiB (gibibyte) = 1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024 bytes (230) = 1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024 x 8 bits.

Expression for Time Taken

Time taken to transfer a file (seconds) = File size in bits / Network speed in bits per second.

Time Taken Expression - Example

File size = 15 MiB.
File size in bytes = 15 x 1,024 x 1,024.
File size in bits = 15 x 1,024 x 1,024 x 8.
Network speed = 1 Gbps.
Network speed = 1 x 1,000 x 1,000 x 1,000 bps.

Expression for Number of Bytes Per Second

Number of bytes per second = Network speed in bits per second /

Number of MB (megabytes) per second = Network speed in bits per second / 8 / 1,024 / 1,024.

Bytes Per Second Expression - Example

Network speed = 2 Mbps.
Network speed = 2 x 1,000 x 1,000 bps.
Number of KiB (kibibytes) transferred per second = Network speed in bits per second / 8 / 1,024.

Expression for Number of Files Per Second

Number of files/packets per second = Network speed in bits per second / File size in bits.
Number of files/packets per second = Network speed in bits per second / (File size in bytes x 8).

Files Per Second Expression – Example

Network speed = 18 Mbps.
Network speed = 18 x 1,000 x 1,000 bps.
File size = 250 KiB.
250 KiB = 250 x 1,024 bytes.
250 KiB in bits = 250 x 1,024 x 8.

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Description

Explore the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks in this quiz. Understand how wireless technology enhances connectivity and the potential risks associated with its use, including security vulnerabilities. This quiz is ideal for students and professionals seeking deeper insights into wireless communication.