Industry Blog

It’s hard to go back to the days where instant information isn’t a reality. The Internet has changed the way we shop, communicate, and live. In recent years, you may have noticed the proliferation of WiFi “hotspots” popping up at your local cafes, libraries, and other public places. Those with a WiFi connection can get on the Web just about anywhere. Before WiFi, a user needed to be hardwired into a connection source but those days are over now, using a wireless router you can get on the Internet anywhere in your home.

A wireless router uses an antenna to send and receive signals from Web-ready devices such as laptops and cell phones and communicate them to the Internet. You may have several computers or devices present in your home. With a wireless router, you can use all of them as long as you can establish a wireless connection without the necessity of having the traditional Ethernet cable which is a good option to send and receive signals, but not as convenient as cable free connection. If the WiFi router’s wireless range isn’t long enough, replacing the current WiFi antenna with a more powerful one might increase the range. When purchasing the WiFi antenna make sure it has the correct WiFi connector for your WiFi router.

Routers can cover an area to encompass most households. That means you can use your Internet devices anywhere in your home. In some cases, you may be able to pick up your signal in the backyard or front porch, opening more doors of convenience. If your home is especially large, you can purchase range extenders or wireless repeaters to increase the range of your router.

Routers have the ability to encrypt the data they are sending wirelessly, there are several types of encryption that are in use today. Two types that tend to be the most secured are WPA (TKIP) and WPAZ (AES). All of these use a user created password. Once your encryption is set up, users will use their specified key to sign onto the network for the first time so unauthorized users would not have access to your network or data. Talk to your wireless vendor about security. If you set your router to create an open “hotspot,” as some public places do, anyone with a wireless card will be able to use your signal, lessening the level of connectivity for you and your family.

Most people rather keep their signals private, but it’s necessary to take a few security precautions. Along with a WiFi connector purchase, look into means of establishing WiFi protection access or WPA. It uses temporal key integrity protocol encryption, which would allow signing on with a password and keeping the public off of your WiFi connection.

Media access control or MAC is another precaution. It uses a computer’s hardware and personal address for Internet access. With this type, you must specify which addresses, or gadgets, are allowed access when you establish you home WiFi network.

Happy consumers love the ability to build their own wifi setup at home. The days of needing a hardwired connection are over. Those with the proper tools can use their laptops and other Web-ready gadgets from just about anywhere in their home. Most routers provide connection from a 100-foot radius. For people in an apartment, 100 feet may be more than enough, yet for those with larger homes a wireless repeater is a warranted purchase. A wireless repeater extends the availability of access, providing the opportunity to surf the Web in the backyard, on the third floor, on the front porch, and other remote spaces around the home.

You want your home WiFi setup to work as you intended. This means you don’t want any hassles regarding running cords or cables such as antenna cables or antenna wires. Home connections may become unreliable at the end of a base’s range. In these cases, a wireless repeater becomes an affordable and easy solution.

If you have an issue with distance, then a wireless repeater is your targeted purchase. A repeater is fixed with a radio that receives and transmits wireless signals from the base station. It works in the same manner as your router, but acts as a go-between, connecting your router to your computer over a greater distance. Placing a wireless repeater near the end of a network’s range greatly extends usability.

An uninterrupted and reliable access point is the best advantage of purchasing an extender. Running wires or getting multiple routers can be a hassle and is an unneeded expense. Rather than your computer having to cut in and out and search for other access points, you can enjoy uninterrupted access from a sole access point.
Not all wireless repeaters are created equally. Such as device can be a disadvantage if it is of poor quality. Find a reputable vendor and make them aware of your needs and intentions regarding your repeater.

Dual band antennas have lots of practical uses, especially for mobile devices. These antennas operate on two bands or frequencies (similar to radio stations) and can either work on these different frequencies one at a time or simultaneously, depending on the capabilities of the individual antenna.

The biggest advantage to dual band antennas is their ability to provide a strong, stable wireless connection  in often difficult to reach locations. For this reason they are often used in devices such as cellular or dual band wireless access points. The two most common frequencies used in these antennas are 2.4 GHz (802.11g/N) and 5.1 GHz (802.11a/N). These two “channels” have differences in terms of their abilities. The 5.1 GHz option has the higher frequency and subsequently, a smaller range. However, this higher frequency also allows the 5.1 GHz antenna to handle more information at any one time. The 2.4 GHz option inversely has a lower frequency; allowing the antenna to cover greater distances as well as penetrate surfaces more efficiently.

These factors lead to the conclusion the the 2.4 GHz option is superior for not only establishing a good, strong connection indoor where many surfaces and walls act as barriers to fully covering large ground plans, but maintaining these connections as well. Selecting the proper antenna can be very important for this reason. Some dual band antennas can use both frequencies at once. While others can switch between the two frequencies depending on which option provides a stronger connection in the given area.

Common household appliances also work these channels as well however. This can interfere with the connectivity of other technology within a home or office sometimes. However, that can occur in almost any situation where there are multiple devices operating at once. For many devices, dual band antennas are a stable, easy way to connect to the things you may need.

Making Information Organization Easy

For many businesses, public services such as schools and libraries, and industries, an Ethernet cable connection is the most dependable option in information technology.

Information is the first necessity of any business. Ethernet cable connections make the transmission of information from one location or person to another easier and faster, allowing for quick communication between workers at a business without having to pass out memos, saving both time and paper. This also allows for quick and reliable internet access that is less prone to connectivity issues and is invaluable as a resource.

Schools and libraries also benefit from Ethernet. Libraries have complex databases that have to process a variety of information: everything from patron due dates and fines, to filtering and sorting materials and locations as well as inter-library loans has to be managed by the library. Having the computers connected via Ethernet cable allows these computers to process large amounts of information at the same time, schools can also use the connectivity to have students share information throughout the classroom and post lessons and homework on it as well.

Ethernet cable can connect equipment other than just computers. There are many devices for controlling machinery or for monitoring the machinery functions that can be interconnected by Ethernet and which can be useful in spotting problems and avoiding mistakes. If a process involves timing or temperature, the equipment that measures any of these variables can be monitored easily from different locations instead of having to be checked manually one by one.

In business, industry, and for libraries and schools, whether for a class project or company deadline, time and reliability matter. An Ethernet cable connection makes sending, organizing, and accessing information easier, more affordable, and faster.

Understanding the Differences

Before making a purchase, people may ask how 802.11n antennas are better as compared to the IEEE 802.11b/g. The IEEE 802.11b was the first WiFi standard which was defined as 11 Mbps. Later 802.11g was defined providing 54 Mbps. This equipment works only on 2.4 GHz frequency.

The 802.11n gives Wi-Fi more speed and range. The benefit to 802.11n is that channel bonding is incorporated; in which two separate channels that don’t overlap at the same time can be used to transmit data. This also allows the amount of data able to be transmitted to increase. Rather than 20-MHz-wide channels, 802.11n can use 40-MHz channels. It also allows for more data to be placed in each transmitted packet. It is great for customers who like gaming and streaming videos because it provides a faster wireless Internet connection as well. With latest standards , any equipment is also backwards compatible with 802.11b/g networking equipment. This standard allows operation on either 2.4 or the 5 GHz frequency band. It provides wider channels and thus the ability to provide higher bandwidth, theoretically up to 300 Mbps. Actual throughputs may be much less.

With regard to antennas, multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology is used to transmit more data. These antennas increase both WLAN coverage and security. The 802.11n antennas have an increased range and allow numerous users do multiple tasks over the network.

Know Your Needs

If your need is short range and you have high bandwidth needs then 802.11n would be the better choice. However, if long range is your primary driving need, then opt for higher radio frequency (RF) powered wireless devices that can be found in many 802.11b/g devices such as the AIR802 model AP-G250 transmitting with 250 mW versus typical store 802.11n devices with 50 to 85mW. Power may be measured in either dB or mW.

With strong performance, better range and more compatibility, why not purchase the latest 802.11n equipment? Upgrade your home network today to improve your networking and online experience.