Current Technology in Computer Networks

Current Technology in Computer Networks

a. Wi-Fi

Official Wi-Fi logo
Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) is a set of standards that refers to the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that applies IEEE 802.11 specification. Currently in

Some of the advantages of using Wi-Fi are as follows:
    • Simplicity. You can connect computers anywhere in your home or school without the use for wires.          Computers connected to the network using radio signals and computers can be up to 30 meters or so apart.
    • Cost Wire les Networks are easy to set up and are inexpensive.
    • Easy Access Wi-Fi supports 1roaming by moving your computers from one access point to another as     you move around a 2hot spot. Wi-Fi works like a two-way radio communication.

A computer’s wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an 3antenna. A wireless router receives the signal and 4decodes it. It sends the information to the internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection.

To receive the signal, the router will receive data from the Internet, translating it into a radio signal and sending it back to the wireless adapter.












 b. Bluetooth





Bluetooth Headset
                                                                                        Bluetooth logo



 Bluetooth is a network standard, specifically a protocol that defines how two Bluetooth devices use short-range radio waves to transmit data. The data transfers between the devices at a rate of up to 2 Mbps. To communicate with each other, Bluetooth devices must be within 10 metres but can be extended to 100 metres with additional equipment.

A Bluetooth device contains a small chip that allows it to communicate with another Bluetooth device. Examples of Bluetooth-enabled devices are desktop computers, notebook computers, handheld computers, PDAs, smart phones, headset, microphones, digital cameras, fax machines and printers.










For computers and devices that are not Bluetooth-enabled, you can purchase a Bluetooth wireless port adapter that will convert an existing USB port or serial port into a Bluetooth port. For example, Windows XP has a built-in Bluetooth support that allows users to easily configure Bluetooth communications.

Are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth competing technologies?
Bluetooth is designed for limited data transfer between two devices, one of which is usually a mobile device (e.g. a notebook computer and a printer, a digital camera and a desktop computer and between two PDAs). However Wi-Fi which supports data transfer at faster rates allow users to network many computers and devices together wirelessly.