Wi fi what is it

Please leave your comments on the current topic of the material. We are very grateful for your comments, likes, dislikes, subscriptions, feedback!

Wi-Fi – what is it, how it works, how to use, all about wireless wi-fi network

In today's world, Wi-Fi has become firmly entrenched in the lives of ordinary people, and very few people do not use it in everyday life. But even now not every person will be able to intelligibly and reliably answer the question, what is Wi-Fi, when was Wi-Fi created, explain on what principles this system works, or how to connect it yourself. Let's take a look at the basic concepts concerning this popular wireless technology.

The acronym WiFi, used for the wireless Internet technology used by most modern devices, grew out of the slogan "The Standard for Wireless Fidelity" promoted by the developers when it was first created. After a while, the name of the technology was reduced to two words "Wireless Fidelity", then there remained four well-known letters. The abbreviation "HiFi" (High Fidelity) was involved in the history of the name.

Where it all began

Wi-Fi digital technology was invented by the Australian engineer John O'Sullivan in 1998. In its characteristics, it has similarities to Bluetooth, IR modules, radio transmissions, and mobile networks. A device that emits a wi-fi signal creates a wireless network connection, functions in a set range of radio frequencies that covers a certain area. All gadgets within the area can join the network (as long as they support wireless connectivity).

The Wi-Fi brand name was coined by Alliance members when developing this invention. Wi Fi routers operate according to the IEEE 802.11n communications standards specification.

Origin of the word

The definition of the term Wi-Fi is not known to all people, but it is encoded in the word itself. It comes from the first two letters of the words Wireless Fidelity which means "wireless fidelity" in Russian. It's a brand name coined by Alliance Corporation for the Internet technology they promote.

Pronunciation

The word Wi-Fi has a simple pronunciation. It reads as "wi-fi".It is pronounced quickly without separation or with a slight pause. Pronunciation "wi fi." is fundamentally wrong.

The origins of Wi-Fi

The new wireless communication technology was created by Dr. John O'Sullivan, known as the "father of Wi-Fi," who worked in the 1990s at the CSIRO (Government Science and Applications Research Organisation, Australia). The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (now called the Wi-Fi Alliance) asked CSIRO to make the technology free to the public, but that didn't happen – now every manufacturer of Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, cell phones, smart home devices, etc. pays CSIRO to use the patent.

"Wi-Fi" is just a trademark registered by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 1999.

In fact, "Wi-Fi" means nothing and is not an acronym for "wireless fidelity," as confirmed by Phil Belanger, co-founder of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Recently, "Wi-Fi" has increasingly been referred to as "WiFi." [2] .

What does it take to create Wi-Fi?

You need 3 components: bandwidth, a gateway and a router. Today, Wi-Fi can also be created on the phone using the hotspot function.

A wireless connection is essentially two-way communication between a router and a client device. Both devices are equipped with a radio transmitter and receiver to communicate with each other by sending signals over the radio band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

Usually a Wi-Fi router is physically connected to an Ethernet jack or DSL/cable/satellite modem over a network cable to access the Internet. It then broadcasts its Wi-Fi name (SSID) to surrounding devices. When it intends to connect to a wireless network, the device sends a corresponding request signal to the router, after receiving and accepting which the connection is established.

How to improve home network security

Attackers can intercept unencrypted signals sent over a public Wi-Fi network or, infiltrate your home network if you haven't secured it enough.

Public Wi-Fi networks are a separate story because many of them are not secure. Experts recommend taking precautions when using public Wi-Fi.

These include: using a virtual private network (VPN) and not sharing sensitive personal information like credit card numbers. In some parts of the world, governments restrict what you can view on the Internet with a firewall, although a VPN can help you get around these restrictions.

How to increase security when using a Wi-Fi network:

1. Use a VPN. A VPN can be useful for both a home network and a public Wi-Fi network. It creates an encrypted tunnel so that outsiders, including your ISP, can't monitor your online activities or collect data that could be shared with advertisers or governments.
2. Use strong passwords. Your router probably comes with a default password, so it's important to change it to your own, secure one. A password manager can help you avoid the hassle of remembering complex combinations. Failure to do so is like leaving your keys under the mat.
3. Use antivirus software. Antivirus software is another important element of Wi-Fi network security. This software scans incoming traffic and blocks malware, intrusions, or other attempts to steal your data.
4. Update your device's software regularly. Constantly install the latest versions of software, for all your gadgets, and don't forget about your routers. There are firmware updates for them too, which improve functionality and security. If there is an option to automatically update, do it, most people forget about it.
5. Keep an eye on your settings. Pay attention to your Wi-Fi network settings. If your devices allow it, use the most secure encryption standard, WPA3, which has the latest security updates and is the hardest to crack. You can also take simple actions like disabling remote access, or disabling the network when you're not using it, and keeping guest access to some devices.
6. Change the name of your network. You should know the name of your network, but you don't need to tell intruders about it. You can change it to messy or unidentifiable, or make your network "hidden" so it can't be seen nearby.
7. Be vigilant. Know who is using your network. If possible, enable notifications of new users on your gateway and disable anyone you can't identify. Create a guest network that cannot be used to access or change your settings or data, and people who are not your family members. Also for other devices like light bulbs or garage door opener modules.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have tried to briefly answer the most frequently asked questions related to Wi-Fi and wireless networks, devices and systems of this type.

What is a wireless router

A wireless router is hardware that serves as an Internet access point and connects other devices like a laptop, phone, or tablet.

You can connect any device to a router via Wi-Fi or, with an Ethernet cable.

How Devices Connect to Wi-Fi Networks

Your computer and other devices connect to Wi-Fi networks using radio waves.

Each device has a wireless module (adapter) that converts the data into radio signals, and these are decoded by the router.

What is a Wireless Access Point

A wireless access point is usually a component of your router, but it can also be a standalone device that provides a wireless network.

The access point then connects to the broader Internet network, usually over a wireless or Ethernet connection.

What is a mobile hotspot

If you don't have access to a public Wi-Fi network, you can use your phone or a standalone device as a portable access point.

How does Wi-fi work?

Moving on to the interesting and very important, understanding how wi-fi networks work you will be able to intelligently formulate your thoughts about internet connections. So, in order for you to have a Wi-fi network at home you first need to wire the internet to your home.

After, the Internet cable must be connected to special equipment – a router.

Router – a device which receives signals from the Internet, converts them into a so-called wi-fi network and transmits them to specific devices (phone, computer, TV).

How do I connect Wi-fi at home?

As I said earlier, the first thing you need to do is to install the Internet in the house, apartment, office, the process is not complicated, you need to find out what providers work with your house, call them or visit the office, where they will accept the application for the laying of the Internet cable in your apartment.

You can find a suitable Internet provider through the service Inetme – just select the city, house and street to find out all the current offers for connection. All tariffs are up to date, so you only need to compare them and make a choice.

As a rule, you will be given several dates to choose from, you choose the most convenient for you, when you can be at home, at the appointed time will come and install the internet cable in the place you need.

By the way, for laying cable no money are taken, the company you choose does it at its own expense, you pay only the selected rate internet connections, usually from 300 to 1000 rubles per month.

The monthly fee (tariff) will depend on the connection speed you choose.
For comfortable access choose the speed of 30 Mbps, about 400-500 rubles/month.

Once you have the cable, you can connect it to your computer and use the Internet, but our goal is to create a wi-fi network, so we move on. It is necessary to buy a router (some companies provide their routers), it is to him you will then connect the Internet cable, after that router will create an active wi-fi network, and already to it you can connect without any wires if only from a laptop or phone and here it is comfortable access to the Internet from anywhere in your apartment or house.

Tip 1: When you discuss the terms of connection to the Internet cable, you should ask what kind of router you should buy, because the choice in our stores is quite large. The right advice on buying the right router will save you time and money.

Tip 2: When connecting the router will need to configure (once), if you do not have the slightest idea how to do it, I recommend to ask the master, who will come to lay the Internet cable. Let him configure everything for you at once (may require an additional fee for setup, about 500 rubles).

What is the Internet

If you take two (or more) computers or mobile devices and connect them to each other with a cable or other possible way you get a small network. Inside it, the devices can freely exchange different data: text messages, music, videos and any other information. This way you can organize a network of computers in a company or in your own home.

The devices will only be connected to each other without access to any external information. Such a network is called a local network because it can be created in a limited area: from one room to a small neighborhood. Small networks are rarely isolated, usually they are combined into larger ones, and those in turn are combined into even larger ones.

Note: the word "Internet" often refers to the World Wide Web (WWW), the best-known data transmission system. It is what people interact with when they open the browser on their computer or smartphone, go to a search engine page and start browsing different sites according to a certain request. There are also separate systems that are needed to provide e-mail, various chat rooms and messengers, file storage and other services.

Internet is a system, which allows to combine a huge number of networks for exchange, processing and storage of any kind of information. Each individual network is created according to its own scheme for whatever needs, but in order to interact with each other, all networks must obey certain rules and standards. They are the system or set of rules that is commonly referred to as the Internet.

What is Wi-Fi

In order to open a website on a computer or send a picture on a smartphone, you need to somehow connect to the Internet. Wi-Fi is one of the most popular technologies that allow this.

Wi-Fi is a trade name for a technology that transmits a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) signal using radio waves. In practical terms, it allows a user's device to connect to the Internet without using any wires. Wi-Fi is most commonly used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Each Wi-Fi network is a local network, which can have access to the Internet or be completely separate from it. To create such a network, you need a device for transmitting wireless signals. This can be a router, a smartphone or a computer. The network created extends to a distance of up to 100 meters, although it is much more common to find limits of up to 10-35 meters. The exact range and speed of Internet connection depends on the power of the device itself, the environment (including walls), the number of connected devices and the specific distance from the source.

What is a Wi-Fi router and what is it for

Router or router is a device for organizing a network, connecting the various segments of the existing infrastructure. According to the address of the recipient specified in the header of the packet (a formalized block of data transmitted over the network), it determines the best route to it and sends the data. If there is no route, the packet is dropped. In everyday life, it is used as a wireless access point – it organizes general access to the Internet and local networks for quick data exchange between clients (computer, phone, tablet, laptop).

The most popular models, routers from the company D-Link, are equipped with 1-8 LAN-interfaces for connecting local networks and 1-2 WAN-ports for connecting local networks (enterprises, organizations, home) to the provider's network.

Classic Wi-Fi router comes with a 4-port switch, WAN-interface and access point. Through it, customers exchange information and connect to a distribution system – mainly wired Internet, which is supplied by the provider via Ethernet. There are also USB models for connecting a network printer or wireless modem.

Routers work in one (2.4 and 5 GHz) or two bands. Some models are capable of operating on multiple bands simultaneously, creating two or more access points. The difference between a router and an access point:

• routers are able to connect clients from different networks, access points switch devices within the same network;
• transmission of packets by routers is based on IP analysis, access points work with MAC-addresses;
• routers support address translation – a lot of devices have a single IP address to access the Internet;
• routers can be endowed with firewall and dynamic IP-address assignment functions.

How to set up a Wi-Fi network in your home

In order to set up a home network and distribute Internet that comes in over twisted pair or fiber optic cables, the router must be properly configured.

✍ Connecting the router

First connect the network device to your laptop or computer.

1. Insert the plug from the power adapter into the Power port.
2. Insert the crimped network cable from your ISP into the WAN port.
3. Insert one end of the patch cord (the supplied piece of twisted-pair cable crimped on both sides with connectors) into any LAN interface and the other end into a suitable socket on a computer or notebook computer.

✍ Setup

Basically, after this the router will distribute the Internet, the only thing left is to make some changes to its configuration. Try to visit some resources, if they will not load, under "WAN" or "Internet" you have to change the protocol to that used by the provider and enter the login and password from the contract with the service provider.

💡 The names of the items and the interface of the settings are different for different manufacturers and firmware versions.

Router administration console from the manufacturer Zyhel

1. 1. Open your browser and go to the address on the sticker on the bottom of the device. Usually 192.198.0.1, 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
   2. Enter your username and password, usually "admin".

   

   Many models allow you to control the signal strength, for example, to increase it if consumers are at the edge of the signal range (Wi-Fi coverage area) or beyond it. But even if the router sends radio signals farther than usual, the smartphone can receive them, but the power of its wireless module to send signals back to the router may not be enough.

   How it works and how to use it

   To put it simply, by the principle of its work, wi-fi allows you to receive data using a radio signal. Before the advent of the router, going online was done through wires. Radio, bluetooth, and cellular technology are considered related techniques.

   How a router works

   When connecting a PC to a wireless network, you need to make sure that there is a network card that works in this mode.

   You need a router that creates a signal on the desired frequency or another device that includes it in the design. You must sign a contract with a service provider.

   Desktop computers may not support wi-fi. Then you need to buy a special adapter that connects via USB, or a network card.

   The existing router is connected to the World Wide Web via a cable attached to the WAN connector. Then all that remains is to activate the operation of the device with the settings via the menu. The adequacy of operation may depend on the location of the equipment, the number of obstacles to the radio signal.

   How to configure the Wi-Fi network in the house

   How Wi-Fi works and that it is easy to try at home. And also the technology is very popular in offices, businesses and on the street.

   You need to contact one of the providers, which provide Internet access to a particular address, to make an application. The cable will be laid to the apartment or office. Usually, this option is provided free of charge. You only need to pay a certain amount at the tariff, which is monthly from 300 to 1000 rubles.

   Such an important characteristic as data transmission speed depends on the chosen cost. Therefore, it is advisable to clarify it in advance, at the time of choosing a tariff plan.

   Easy access is guaranteed with 30 Mb/sec or more. Wired cable can be connected to the laptop, and as a result there will be Internet. But the creation of a Wi-Fi network is carried out through the router. This equipment is purchased or rented from the provider, it creates an active network when it works.

   How to connect a device to Wi-Fi

   Now let's figure out how to connect different devices to a wireless network.

   How to connect the wireless Internet on a computer and laptop

   To connect to a Wi-Fi network from a computer or laptop, you'll need a router. Laptops are usually equipped with a built-in network card, but the computer needs either to upgrade the network card (expensive) or buy a Wi-Fi adapter.

   • Connect the router to the Internet with an Ethernet cable;
   • turn on Wi-Fi in the router settings;
   • in the Windows taskbar, click on "Wireless Networks";
   • select the network you want to connect to.
   • Enter your network password and wait to connect.

   How to use it on your smartphone

   In order to connect to Wi-Fi on your smartphone, you need to:

   

   Be sure to check the option to connect by default if you plan to continue using this network.

   What the speed depends on

   Connection speed depends on a number of factors, both on the part of the provider and the user, as well as on the technology itself. Here are some of them.

   

   Interesting!

   While the latest gadgets support "old" network configurations, an old, though working, device may not "befriend" an advanced network.

   • Power and load of servers;
   • The quality of communication lines outside the ISP's network;
   • Interference from other Wi-Fi networks, appliances, and the location of the router relative to the wireless network.

   Advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi

   Like any technology, wifi has pros and cons.

   • Wireless networking (you can avoid tripping over wires);
   • Coverage within 70 m is quite enough for household needs;
   • One access point – many devices;
   • Higher speed;
   • If you connect your smartphone to wifi, your phone's battery lasts longer;
   • Secure latest protocols.
   • Network latency (relevant to gamers);
   • Wi-Fi speed limitation – reduced speed of the user;
   • "Natural" signal jamming at home;
   • Interference with other devices at 2.4 MHz;
   • Poor security of outdated security protocols.

   Settings

   There is a standard scheme of steps for setting up any wifi technology when creating an access point. It is as follows:

   1. Placing and connecting the router.
   2. Connecting to the control panel through the settings.
   3. Wi-Fi configuration, logging into the network and, if necessary, changing the default password to protect data.

   The principle of this scheme does not differ depending on the company of the router used. In addition, the provider also does not play a role. But despite this, before setting up should be familiar with the instructions that come with the router.

   Connecting

   1. The first thing you should do is to find the wireless network icon at the bottom of the screen on the right and click on it with the right mouse button.
   2. If you have done everything correctly, a window will appear on the monitor with all the available networks. Then you should click on the "Connection" tab.
   3. Then it is necessary to enter the previously prepared access point password.

   

   If the icon marked in red appears, you can be sure that the adapter is turned off. To correct the situation, find the "F" key with the wave and antenna picture. Then press the combination "Fn + F with antenna". After that the device should be connected to the wireless Internet.

   The connection algorithm on the computer is a little more complicated, because the PC does not have a special wireless module. It is necessary to purchase a special external or internal adapter and perform the following actions:

   

   1. Connect the adapter.
   2. Connect the cord from the router to the network card. This action is required so that the drivers for Wi-Fi are automatically installed. Connection is made in the usual way: one end of the cable into the yellow slot, and the other end into the card.
   3. If the drivers are not found automatically, you need to enter the Task Manager and search for the phrase "devmgmt.msc".
   4. In the "Other devices" tab, find the desired adapter, left-click on it and update its drivers.

   Further the connection scheme of Wi-Fi is identical with the computer.

   Connecting to a smartphone is easier, because the wireless Internet receiver is built into the device initially. On all axes the connection is made according to the standard scheme:

Read More: