In this episode, we learn how to connect to the digital world without a cable and about the pros and cons of wireless technologies.
Guests
Pete Oberg
Pete Oberg
Peter Oberg works at the University of Minnesota for Academic and Distributed Computing Services. He has been employed at the University since 1983 and has provided both mainframe and microcomputer software and hardware support to staff members, faculty members, and students. Pete is currently meeting with collegiate and departmental representatives to set up wireless technology installation site visits.
Daniel Westacott
Daniel Westacott
Daniel Westacott is an engineer at the University of Minnesota in the Networking and Telecommunications Services (NTS) unit. He grew up in Dinkytown and took plant biology, theater, and computer science courses at the University. He started working for NTS in the mid-1980s and first worked with wireless technologies in the mid-1990s at trade shows. He has a fondness for most everything technical.
For Your Files
Dan Westacott explained why wireless is a bit slower than wired connections: "Because of the nature of how it's designed, it's a very open, shared media, so that if you have three machines using wireless, you cut the speed down by a third.... So for a whole bunch of people in one place it's not very convenient; although, if it's usually just you and your laptop, it's amazingly convenient."
Dan also said you might not want to download large files with your wireless connection: "Wireless is good for things that are not bandwidth intensive, that aren't large in space.
Pete Oberg talked about wireless security: protecting your data and not allowing anyone access to your computer via your wireless connection. He said: "The main protection that people should use is to set ... a menu called WEP: Wired Equivalency Privacy.... And what you do is you set a password on that so anyone who gains access, it prompts him on his screen for a password. If you don't know it; you don't get in.
Pete also discussed the ability of the wireless signal to extend throughout your home: "The radio frequencies will move through sheet rock walls that most people have. Some people do have cement ... separating one floor from another and if there happens to be rebar in that flooring, that certainly can dampen the signal and maybe cause loss of signal depending upon the distance."
Pete also said it's not just the building structure that you have to consider when installing wireless: "You also have to worry about interference in your house .... the three main big ones, I would think, in most homes are a portable phone running at that same 2.4GHz range, baby monitors, and microwave ovens.
Links
For more information about wireless connections, visit these sites:
- CNET's Wi-Fi page,
- the Boingo Wireless site, and
- the Wireless Cable Modem Gateway SBG1000 from SURFboard® page on the Motorola site.
Access Point
A piece of hardware that acts as a hub and allows users to connect wirelessly to a network.
Bluetooth
Wireless technology with a small range of 30 feet used by devices like wireless printers and mice.
WEP
Wired Equivalency Privacy. Software used to password protect a computer from being accessed through a wireless network.
Wi-Fi
Wide Fidelity. Wireless nextworks where devices can transmit and receive information back and forth.