Wireless Access
Wireless access connecting end systems ( that are often mobile) into the network. Today there are two broad types of wireless internet access(1) wireless and (2) wide area wireless. In a wireless LAN wireless users transmit receive packets to form a base station ( also known as a wireless access point) within a read us of a few tens of meters. The base station is typically connected to the wired internet and thus serves to connect wireless users to the wired networks. In wide area wireless access networks the base stations is managed by a telecommunications provider and serves users within a radius of tens of kilometres.
Wireless LAN are based on IEEE 802.11 technology ( also knows as wireless Ethernet and wi fi) are currently enjoying rapid deployment in university departments business offices, coffee cafes and homes. Using this wireless LAN infrastructure students send and receive e mail or surf the web from anywhere in campus ( for example library dorm room classroom or outdoor campus bench.
Today many residences are combining to broadband residential access with inexpensive wireless LAN technology (cable modern or DSL) with inexpensive wireless LAN technology to create powerful home networks. This home networks consists of a roaming laptop as well as three stationary PC ( two wired one wireless) a base station ( the wireless access point) which communicates with the wireless PCs a cable modern providing broad band access to the internet and a router which interconnects the base station and the stationary PC with the cable modern. This networks allows the residents to having broadband internet access, if one member roaming form the kitchen to the backyard or to the bedroom.
When one access the internet through wireless LAN technology one has typically need to be within a few tens of meters from the base station. This is feasible for home access coffee shop access and more generally access within and around a building.