| It's not exactly breaking news that our world is | | | | 3G EV-DO! Soundslike one of those funny robots |
| becomingincreasingly wireless. Many of our daily | | | | from Starwars -- but it stands forevolution-data |
| activities thatonce needed a wired connection can | | | | optimized. This new technology will change how |
| now be done wirelessly! | | | | weview and use the world wide web. |
| The cell phone craze was probably the first | | | | Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO began commercial |
| revolution thatseemingly happened overnight. The | | | | operations in Oct. of |
| convenience of beingconstantly connected or | | | | 2003 and is now expanding to over 125 million US |
| plugged in to the your business,friends, or family | | | | consumers by the endof 2005. With download |
| was an undeniable need that was quicklymet. For | | | | speeds of 400 to 700 kbps and bursts up to 2 |
| many people it has become a necessary in | | | | Mbps, |
| theirdaily lives. | | | | 3G has really given us wireless Internet this time. |
| Wireless computers, notebooks or laptops may | | | | It has or willturn the Internet into a truly wireless |
| just be the secondwave in our struggle to | | | | system that's devoid of anycables or lines. It will |
| becoming a totally wireless world. Theability to be | | | | be everywhere -- no space within our |
| constantly connected to your business and/or | | | | biospherewill be without the Internet very soon. |
| lovedones is revolutionizing the way we use | | | | Of course, it should be kept in mind, that any |
| computers and the Internet. | | | | group of computers can bemade wireless by |
| The ultraportable, versatile little notebook | | | | using a wireless router and a wireless network |
| computer, will no doubtplay a major leading role in | | | | adaptorfor each computer. Also, many notebooks |
| our wireless struggle to be constantlyconnected. | | | | and computers come with a |
| It's the 'portability' of the notebook or | | | | Bluetooth module, which allows for wireless |
| laptopcomputer that holds the most appeal and is | | | | communication betweenany sort of electronic |
| its major sellingpoint. And its popularity is growing. | | | | devices -- from cell phones to computer |
| It is estimated that over 42 million computer | | | | tostereos to headphones. |
| notebookswill be produced this year in 2005. The | | | | However, if you're setting up a wireless network |
| market for laptop andnotebook computers is | | | | or if you're usingyour wireless notebook or laptop |
| growing at a rate of 20% each yearaccording to | | | | at hotels and airports -- securitywill be a concern. |
| Taiwanese notebook makers. And they | | | | Anyone within distance, possessing the right |
| shouldknow -- they make 70% of these | | | | equipmentand a little ingenuity may get access to |
| notebooks or their componentsfor such major | | | | this wireless system. For majorcorporations or |
| players as Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Gateway. | | | | the lowly homeowner; safeguards need to be |
| But it's the portability and wireless communication | | | | taken toprevent unwanted visitors from |
| these devicesoffer that's increasing their | | | | interrupting your peaceful wirelessuniverse. |
| popularity among most users. | | | | There are usually two basic methods of securing |
| Just how is this wireless communication | | | | wireless networks, WEPand MAC address filtering. |
| accomplished by thenotebook or laptop you ask? | | | | The MAC (Media Access Control) is the |
| Wireless notebooks uses three major wireless | | | | physicaladdress or unique hardware identifier given |
| data standards inorder to transfer data. The one | | | | to each device in the network. |
| that is probably most common is | | | | Then you manually enter a list of addresses that |
| 802.11b, also called Wi-Fi which stands for Wireless | | | | can use or access yourwireless network. |
| Fidelity. | | | | The other filtering process is more secure, WEP |
| Wi-Fi or 802.11b transfers data wirelessly at a | | | | or Wireless Encryption |
| maximum rate of | | | | Protocol requires a shared key between the users |
| 11Mbps for up to 150 feet. It uses the 2.4GHz | | | | and then using this key toencrypt and de-encrypt |
| radio spectrum andalthough it says 11Mbps, you | | | | data that's transmitted between your network |
| will probably only get around 4-6Mbpsin actual use. | | | | users. |
| But this is enough bandwidth for high speed | | | | Many major hotel chains and other businesses are |
| Internet, gaming and most file transfers. | | | | now offering 'Wi-Fi'services as an added |
| The 802.11a is another standard that uses the | | | | convenience to their patrons. These 'hot spots' |
| 5GHz radio spectrum,so it has 8 channels available | | | | arepopping up everywhere, even at some gas |
| instead of only 3 that's available with | | | | stations. You may need to sign in or geta |
| 802.11b. The 'A' version also permits a larger | | | | password or key to access these services. |
| transfer, at a maximumof 54Mbps. | | | | But like your cell phone conversations, any radio |
| The other standard, 802.11g, is a hybrid of 'A' and | | | | transfer ortransmission will not be as secure as a |
| 'B' -- its alsocapable of 54Mbps but it uses the 2.4 | | | | wired connection. Keep this inmind if privacy is a |
| GHz spectrum and is compatiblewith 802.11b | | | | major concern for you. But don't let it stop |
| devices. Some notebooks like the Fujitsu LifeBook | | | | youfrom enjoying the convenience, portability and |
| N6010,have a tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless | | | | practicality of yourwireless notebook or laptop. |
| system that uses all three forms! | | | | It's a wireless world after all. |
| The next technology in Wireless Communication is | | | | |