Objectives - Topic 3

Students will be able to:

  • 3.1.12 Outline the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks
  • 3.1.13 Describe the hardware and software components of a wireless network.
  • 3.1.14 Describe the characteristics of wireless networks.

Encryption

Encryption protocols scramble text into an unreadable form. This scrambled text is known as cyphertext.

A key is required to scramble the text into cyphertext.

In order to unscramble the cyphertext back into the original form, a key is required.

Here is a useful video explaining encryption.

wireless networks

Wireless networks are all around us.

They use radio waves at certain frequencies to transmit information.

If you have the right device, you might be able to intercept that information and use it for your own, possibly malicious, purposes.

Well... maybe not. These days most information that is transmitted over a network, even a wireless one, has been

Common wireless networks are:

  • wifi
  • cellular (3G, 4G etc)
  • WiMax

Bluetooth

Bluetooth has a limited range. It is primarily used to allow your personal devices to communicate with each other.

It is used in a fun type of network - a PAN (Personal Area Network).

Wifi

Wifi networks operate over relatively short distances.

Your device needs to be near a wifi router or wireless access point (WAP) to connect to one.

A popular netowrk that uses wifi might be a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

They are not as reliable as cellular networks and there is always the threat of somebody eavesdropping on your online activity, often for malicious purposes. So, network security is an issue.

Cellular

Cellular (mobile) networks, eg 4G Mobile, offer greater range than wifi. You can be quite far from a cellular tower and still pick up a signal.

Cells are served by cellular towers and they are organised to create a reliable network with a wide (eg nationwide) coverage - imagine cells of honeycomb.

As you roam around a city, for example, you will probably always be in range of a cellular tower - there are loads of them!

WIMAX

WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) networks are mostly used in rural areas where Internet access may be difficult to implement.

For example, it may not be cost-effective to develop a cellular network in some parts of the Australian Outback.

Tall towers communicate with each other using line-of-sight microwave links.

WIMAX operates at a high speed with a large bandwidth.

Advantages of wireless networks

Disadvantages of wireless networks

In conclusion, wireless networking offers significant advantages in terms of mobility, convenience, and cost savings.

However, they come with disadvantages related to security, reliability, and potential performance limitations.

Also, wireless technology allows us to be online all the time. This does have health implications.

The decision to use wireless or wired networking depends on specific requirements and the trade-offs an organization or individual is willing to make.

Effective network design and security measures are key to maximizing the benefits of wireless networking while minimizing its drawbacks.

Make your own notes based on the information presented here.

Dig deeper into terms you are interested in.

Attempt as many exam style questions as you can!