Wi-Fi technology is capable of covering large industrial sites, not just operating within a single room. It is used to conduct remote work, including in hazardous conditions. The user does not have to be tied to one location.
Basic information about wi-fi technology – principles and rules of operation
Now there are several wireless technologies that allow access to the Internet. Many people are interested in how to decipher the name of one of them, namely Wi-Fi. This abbreviation comes from the term "wireless fidelity", which literally translates as wireless fidelity. When implemented, special equipment operates on the basis of high-frequency radio waves.
In fact, Wi-Fi — is not an acronym, but a trademark, the ownership of which belongs to the Wi-Fi Alliance company. Its founder is F. Belanger. This term refers to a popular method of creating wireless networks operating according to a particular IEEE 802.11 standard. As a result of its existence for three decades, it has become the most accessible and popular method of data transmission. Wi-Fi has no deciphering, simply means the application of a particular technology, is its name.
The main functions, or what Wi-Fi is for
Many users do not quite understand what wi-fi technology is, although they have had it at their disposal for a long time. By definition, it's one method of wireless communication used in computers, phones, tablets and other devices.
What it looks like: it works from an equipped access point with antennas that emit waves that reach the consumer. The client device with which the connection is made is part of the wireless network. Having all this necessary hardware allows you to create a connection to the Internet and take advantage of it.
This ability to transmit information is not only the Internet, but also other types of communication, including streaming video.
- use in the field of security, control of access to rooms and areas;
- communication, video communication;
- convenience for mobile communications: phones, tablets, laptops;
- remote control of devices.
Internet gives access to various sites by connecting through special equipment.
What is a Wi-Fi network is a variety of devices that provide this opportunity. In particular, devices called routers are used.
This is how sites are accessed without wires. Moreover, several devices can participate in the connection: smartphone, tablet, laptop, phone, video camera and others. With their help, it is possible to simultaneously use the Internet while distributing via radio channels.
To understand what Wi-Fi is, consider the principle of operation. In fact, it is implemented on radio waves in a certain range.
What is wi-fi and why it is needed
Wi-Fi today is a way of uninterrupted online data transmission, covering a range of 150 meters with high speeds. The performance is almost identical to a cable network.
Wi-Fi is installed in homes, public places, and organizations. Most modern routers are able to distribute / receive data using the radio network instead of the cable network.
Many people can connect to the Internet at the same time, all you need to know is the correct password. The quality of the connection remains the same.
The number of wireless network points continues to grow. The ease of connection, which does not require a cable connection, makes it possible to use the Internet on a mobile device.
Wi-Fi is actively used for personal communication, at work, even at the national and international level, as a means of online communication. Service providers are telephone companies engaged in the "distribution" of the network.
History of wi-fi
Who created Wi-Fi? The initial prototype for the modern project was wireless, developed in Holland by a team of Vic Hayes. It was needed to improve the operation of cash registers from supermarkets. The data transfer rate at the time was 2 Mbit/sec.
The wireless protocol for data transfer was invented by John O'Sullivan in 1991. Later, in 1997, a common data transmission standard was adopted, and in 1999 the speed reached 11 Mbit/sec.
A woman, Hollywood movie star Hedy Lamarr, played a huge role in the creation of wi-fi. She came up with the principle of transmitting information wirelessly. Hayes later used her idea. Moreover, the creator of Wi-Fi suggested using this project as a tool for remote control over missiles. At the same time, to improve the guidance system.
The inventor of the network Hedy Lamarr is an actress of Jewish origin, she is known for her role in the then popular film "Ecstasy", where she starred in an erotic scene. Subsequently, the picture was forbidden to show in many countries due to the fact that the woman appeared on the screen naked.
During her career, Lamarr starred in a number of films and earned about $30 million. However, she didn't use them for herself personally. At that time Europe was suffering from the oppression of fascism, and the girl with Jewish roots sought to help her country.
In 1940, the founder of Wi-Fi, using data from her marriage, created a technology resistant to interference radio transmission of signals, which worked on the principle of randomly changing frequencies.
She patented her invention, but it was not appreciated at the time. It was remembered by the 1990s, when they began to develop local area networks.
Although today Hedy Lamarr is still known as the founder of the wireless network, because her discovery had a direct impact on the development of Internet technology and the GSM network. It is interesting that at the time of the presentation of her project, Hedy herself had no profile education in the field of radio engineering or engineering.
Operation modes and additional functionality
All Wi-Fi devices are usually grouped into the following categories, depending on how they are used:
- Client. The device receives wireless signals and transmits them over a wired channel.
- Repeater. This mode of operation is necessary to amplify the signal of the main Wi-Fi device.
- Bridge. This method is used to connect two networks into one large network.
- Router. Most routers work in this mode. They can automatically connect ports, network printers, file storage, and do authentication, so users don't have to try to access the Internet every time. Finally, in this mode, the router can be used as a regular switch.
- Access Point. Unlike router mode, this method is easy to use. The device receives a wired signal and converts it to Wi-Fi.
Modern router models can not only organize computer networks, but also perform many other useful functions. For example, many allow for parental control, setting the rules of access to the Internet from individual gadgets.
More expensive models allow you to connect a variety of devices to the USB port:
- 3G USB modem. As a rule, for additional Internet channels, which are automatically activated when the connection is disconnected.
- External USB hard drives. All the information they contain can be used by all the computers on the network. This is very convenient because it saves space on your PC's hard drive. These drives are used to store music, clips, and documents.
- USB network printers that can be accessed by all computers on the network.
If the router has a strong power supply, you can connect multiple USB devices via a USB splitter.
Protecting your network
Many people may not take the security of their Wi-Fi networks or home routers seriously. Most people leave their Wi-Fi networks completely open.
Ideally, wifi should be password protected. And factory access to router settings is changed.
Many people don't realize how dangerous and harmful it is to add other users to a Wi-Fi network. Even assuming that these people have no bad intentions. They are not interested in personal files and they are not going to harm the owner of the router. Simply connect to someone else's Wi-Fi and start using the Internet.
It is important to note that these external devices put pressure on the router. This puts a strain on the network and the router. But that's still half the problem. Setting up the local network will open up some files on the computer and make them available to anyone connected to the router. At the very least, this can be a nuisance.
Attackers can access the network when it is not properly secured. For example, they can perform illegal operations over the connection.
Of course, any network can be hacked. That's why it's recommended that you set passwords for your Wi-Fi and router.
In general, we can say that average people do not need to understand and understand how a wi-fi router works. Just like there is no need to learn how a refrigerator or a microwave oven works. You don't need any special knowledge to use a router.
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