Computer Networks for the home and small business can be built either by using wired or wireless technologies. As the thrust of new technologies, it has paved the way for wireless technology. A wireless network refers to any networks that are not connected by cables. In today’s era, we are already having dozens of widespread wireless technologies in use like WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiMax and more. They generally use radio waves for communication between the network nodes. The users can share files and other resources with other devices that are connected to the network without having a cable or port.
Most of the wireless technologies operate on common principles. Installation and setup of wireless networks are easier. New devices can be easily connected to the existing setup, which makes the wireless networks very scalable. Since it doesn’t require wires, it reduces the equipment and setup costs.
The main difference between a wireless and wired network is the usage of cable. The wired network uses cables to link devices to the internet or any other network such as laptops, desktops computers. Without any cables, the connection is established in a wireless network. The wireless networks can handle a larger number of users because they are not limited by any specific number of connection ports.
There are different types of wireless networks, where each type performs different function. A wireless network is capable of joining two or more devices through radio waves. The wireless network operated through radio frequency technology. However, in wireless network it does not mean that no wires or cables are involved. The main important element in a wireless network is the Access Point (AP).
An access point is a device that permits multiple wireless devices to connect each other. It can also be used to extend the wired network to the wireless devices. The main function of this device is to broadcast the wireless signals into a frequency which the computers can identify and respond to.
There are several types of wireless networks such as WLAN, WMAN, WWAN, WPAN and more. Now, we have discussed the types in detail.
WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network
Wireless LAN, is a network that allows the devices to connect without wires. The devices are communicated over Ethernet cables, and the devices on a WLAN communicate through Wi-Fi. The support can range for about two or more devices. Once, when more devices are connected, it is difficult to manage the network.
WWAN – Wireless Wide Area Network
By the name itself, it clearly shows that WWAN covers over a wide area. It is also named as wireless broadband or broadband wireless. It uses cell towers to transmit the signals. The wireless WAN enables a flexible and unified approach in connecting people, places and things anywhere.
WPAN – Wireless Personal Area Network
This network allows a wireless connection to devices centered around an individual person’s workspace. It allows an individual to connect to all or most of his or her devices together and access the internet using any of the supported wireless communication techniques. It could connect to a range of 10 meters. It is a short-range network. It consumes less power it is low cost. Some examples include wireless mouse, wearable devices, digital cameras, lighting controls, thermostats etc.
WMAN – Wireless Metropolitan Area Network
It is a type of metropolitan area network with the wireless connectivity. It could connect to range of 50 km. It is used to connect different campuses of a single university, various blocks of an office. Mostly the WMAN is governed by a single entity such as an Internet Service Provider. Access to a WMAN is usually restricted to authorized users or subscriber devices. WiMAX is the most widely used form of WMAN.
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