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What Is WiFi?

Wi-Fi  a.k.a. 802.11 refers to a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a base station or between two wireless clients.  Simply stated, Wi-Fi allows computers to connect to each other and to other networks wirelessly.

Wi-Fi is short for wireless fidelity and is another name for the IEEE 802.11 standard. The Wi-Fi Alliance describes the sub-groups as follows:

802.11a - An IEEE specification for wireless networking that operates in the 5 GHz frequency range (5.725 GHz to 5.850 GHz) with a maximum 54 Mbps data transfer rate. The 5 GHz frequency band is not as crowded as the 2.4 GHz frequency, because the 802.11a specification offers more radio channels than the 802.11b. These additional channels can help avoid radio and microwave interference.

802.11b - International standard for wireless networking that operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range (2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz) and provides a throughput of up to 11 Mbps. This is a very commonly used frequency. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, medical and scientific equipment, as well as Bluetooth devices, all work within the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

802.11g (Approved 7/15/03) - Similar to 802.11b, but this standard provides a throughput of up to 54 Mbps. It also operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band but uses a different radio technology in order to boost overall bandwidth.

Hotspot is a term for a location that offers wireless public access. Hotspots share their DSL, cable or T1 broadband connection via an Access Point that transmits a wireless signal to the wireless card in a user's Wi-FI enabled device, i.e. laptop, PDA. Multiple users connect through a log-in page in their Internet Web browser. Coverage extends over a 100-300 foot radius of the access point.

Open Access Point: An area where someone has been kind enough to allow users with a computer/PDA access the web for free.  This is an area that is rapidly growing. Businesses are now using this to bring in customers to their restaurants, e.g. McDonalds and Starbucks.

Quick Information:

Security on wireless networks is increasingly important. There are programs available on this site which can help you better prepare yourself for wireless security. It helps to use these programs to see how rogue users might sniff packets of your information out of the air for their gain. To see some of these program please visit our security section.