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Questions and Answers
What is a key advantage of using Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN)?
What is a key advantage of using Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN)?
Which of the following technologies is a well-known example of WMAN?
Which of the following technologies is a well-known example of WMAN?
What is one of the main challenges of implementing a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)?
What is one of the main challenges of implementing a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)?
What type of applications does a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) primarily support?
What type of applications does a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) primarily support?
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How do Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN) achieve their extensive coverage?
How do Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN) achieve their extensive coverage?
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What advantage does a wireless network provide compared to a wired network?
What advantage does a wireless network provide compared to a wired network?
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What was the first early wireless network developed in the 1970s?
What was the first early wireless network developed in the 1970s?
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Which organization began the standardization of wireless local area networks in 1991?
Which organization began the standardization of wireless local area networks in 1991?
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What does the 802.11 standard define?
What does the 802.11 standard define?
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What is a primary reason for using wireless networks instead of wired networks?
What is a primary reason for using wireless networks instead of wired networks?
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In which year was the 802.11 standard ratified?
In which year was the 802.11 standard ratified?
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What technology is more commonly known as Wi-Fi?
What technology is more commonly known as Wi-Fi?
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How do wireless networks transmit data?
How do wireless networks transmit data?
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What is a key disadvantage of wireless networks compared to wired networks?
What is a key disadvantage of wireless networks compared to wired networks?
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What is the primary communication method used by most Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)?
What is the primary communication method used by most Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)?
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How far can a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) typically extend?
How far can a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) typically extend?
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Which of the following statements about WLANs is FALSE?
Which of the following statements about WLANs is FALSE?
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What is one reason that wired networks can reuse frequencies more easily than wireless networks?
What is one reason that wired networks can reuse frequencies more easily than wireless networks?
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What is a limitation of infrared technology used in some WPANs?
What is a limitation of infrared technology used in some WPANs?
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What common problem affects wireless networks more than wired networks?
What common problem affects wireless networks more than wired networks?
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Which aspect of wireless networks contributes to their generally slower data speeds?
Which aspect of wireless networks contributes to their generally slower data speeds?
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Study Notes
Wireless Networks
- Wireless networks allow communication and information access without physical wires.
- They enable freedom of movement in various locations, from buildings to cities and globally.
- Data transmission is achieved using radio waves or infrared light.
- The signals used in this type of communication are invisible to the human eye.
Wi-Fi Back to Basics
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Early wireless network development began in the 1970s with ALOHA, a University of Hawaii project.
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ALOHA was designed for communication between computers across the Hawaiian Islands, pioneering the use of radio waves.
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Its design laid the foundation for modern wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi.
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In 1991, the IEEE began discussions on standardizing Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).
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This marked the beginning of creating a standardized protocol for wireless communication.
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The IEEE ratified the 802.11 standard in 1997.
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This standard defines how wireless devices communicate over short distances.
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"Wi-Fi" is the common name for this widely used technology although its official designation is still 802.11.
Reasons for Wireless Networks
- Mobility is a key reason for using wireless networks.
- People need to communicate while moving.
- Certain locations, such as remote or outdoor spaces, may not have physical connections available.
- Wireless systems are often easier and cheaper to set up compared to physical cabling.
- The same data may need to be shared with many different locations simultaneously.
Problems with Wireless Networks
- Wireless networks function in less predictable environments, increasing the likelihood of signal loss, noise, interference or eavesdropping.
- Data speeds are generally slower in wireless networks compared to their wired counterparts.
- Compared to wired networks, reusing frequencies is more difficult for wireless networks. This can limit the number of connections without interference.
Types of Wireless Networks
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WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network):
- Connects computer devices within a close range of the user.
- Typically about 20 feet.
- May utilize radio waves (like Bluetooth) or infrared light.
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WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network):
- Connects devices within a building (up to 100 meters).
- Its functionality is similar to wired Ethernet networks, with similar performance, cost, and operational characteristics, except without the need for physical cables.
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WMAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network):
- Connects multiple networks over a larger area.
- This is an alternative for connecting buildings in a city, and sometimes provides backup for physical connections, like copper or fiber optic cable.
- WiMAX is a well-known example of this technology.
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WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network):
- Connects devices across a wide geographical area (including cities and sometimes countries).
- This frequently involves using multiple satellites or multiple antennae sites managed by an Internet Service Provider.
- Second Generation systems are a common example.
- WWAN is typically more expensive to set up due to the expansive area it covers.
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Description
Explore the foundations of wireless networks and their evolution from the ALOHA project to modern Wi-Fi standards. Understand how wireless communication works without physical connections and the significance of the IEEE 802.11 standard in shaping WLANs. This quiz covers key concepts and historical milestones in wireless networking.
