cwna chapter 1 The World of Wireless
radio frequency identification (RFID)
A wireless technology that emits a wireless data signal over a short range.
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Several different organizations provide direction, standards, and accountability in wireless technology. These include the International Telecommunication Union Radio Communication Sector (ITU-R), the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Wi-Fi Alliance.
latency
The time lapse between when a packet is sent on a network and when it is received.
hotspot
A specific geographic location that is served by a wireless data system and provides network access to mobile users.
global positioning system (GPS)
A system of earth-orbiting satellites used as a navigation system.
wireless wide area network (WWAN)
A wireless data network that can encompass multiple states, regions, or countries.
Long Term Evolution (LTE)
A wireless metropolitan area network technology that can provide access from up to 10 miles (15 km) in distance.
wireless personal area network (WPAN)
A wireless network designed for hand-held and portable devices at slow transmission speeds and in close proximity.
wireless local area network (WLAN)
A wireless network designed to replace or supplement a wired local area network.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
An organization best known for its work in establishing standards for computer networks.
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wireless ISP An Internet Service Provider that makes wireless data access available directly to the home or office.
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The Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification is the foundation level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP program. Individuals who hold the CWNA certificate have demonstrated the necessary skills to successfully administer enterprise-class wireless LANs.
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The travel industry uses wireless communications for providing Internet access to passengers, installing software updates on airplanes, and accessing the latest maintenance information. Many public safety departments use wireless data networks for downloading building plans or even photographs of criminal suspects. Hospitals and health-care organizations use wireless data networks to control the administration of pharmaceuticals to patients.
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There are four basic types of wireless networks. A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a wireless network designed for hand-held and portable devices at slow transmission speeds and in close proximity to each other. A wireless local area network (WLAN) is designed to replace or supplement a wired LAN, whereas a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) is designed for devices in a broader area of coverage (from several city blocks to an entire city) or at higher speeds. A wireless wide area network (WWAN) can encompass multiple states, regions, or countries.
A wired conference room allows all participants to have access to their data while away from their desks and create a mobile office environment.
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Businesses use wireless technologies to increase employee productivity.
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Even small office/home office (SOHO) businesses can reduce costs using wireless technologies.
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Instructors can use wireless to facilitate lectures in the classroom, while students can use wireless to access the school's network from virtually any location on campus.
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Schools can save funds by installing wireless networks and reducing the number of traditional computer labs that are needed.
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Wireless data communications are found across all sectors of the economy.
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Wirelessdata communication is an ideal technology for colleges and schools.
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Bluetooth
A WPAN technology that uses short-range transmissions
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
A body that serves as the primary regulatory agency for wireless communications in the United States and its territorial possessions.
small office/home office (SOHO)
A business setting that typically has ten or fewer employees.
4G (Fourth Generation)
A cellular wireless data network with average download speeds of 4 Mbps.
Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
A certification that is the foundation level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP program.
International Telecommunication Union Radio Communication Sector (ITU-R)
A division of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that is responsible for the global management of the radio frequency spectrum.
municipal network
A hotspot funded by city, county, or other local governments.
warehouse management system (WMS)
Software that can manage all activities in a warehouse, from receiving through shipping.
wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN)
A wireless network is designed for devices in a broader area of coverage than a WLAN or at higher speeds.
working group (WG)
An IEEE committee that is responsible for creating and overseeing a specific standard.
task group (TG)
An IEEE subgroup that is responsible for fulfilling a charter that results in an amendment or a recommendation, or that disbands if no solution can be identified.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
An international body that sets industrial and commercial standards.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Alliance
An organization that verifies that a product follows IEEE standards.
backhaul connection
An organization's internal infrastructure connection between two or more remote locations.
trunk-based leased lines
Special high-speed circuits leased from a local carrier that can be used to connect remote sites of a business.
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One of the disadvantages of wireless data networks is security. Because a wireless signal is not confined to a cable, attackers can pick up the signal outside of the building, read sensitive transmissions, and inject malware into an otherwise secure network. Another disadvantage is radio signal interference: because wireless devices share the same frequency spectrums they can interfere with the transmission of each other. The coverage range of wireless signals can be limited, and the slow speed of the networks in comparison to wired networks can also be problematic.
last mile connection
The connection that begins at a fast Internet service provider, goes through the local neighborhood, and ends at the home or office.
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The construction industry relies heavily on wireless data technologies, from managing pay sheets and rescheduling workers to precisely positioning earth movers and bulldozers on the construction site. Warehouse management has become a critical element in today's operations. Both forklifts and employees are fitted with portable wireless systems for tracking the flow of inventory into and out of the warehouse. Coupled with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, warehouse wireless data systems help control inventories. Manufacturing plants use wireless data networks for managing raw materials, finished inventory, and in the manufacturing process itself.
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There are many advantages to wireless technology. One of the primary advantages is the user's capability to move about without being connected by a cable, thus enabling access from almost any location inside or out of a building. Wireless data communications can also be used to provide access to a network where previously none existed. A hotspot is a specific geographic location that is served by a wireless data system and provides network access to mobile users; hotspots are found in a variety of settings. A municipal network is a hotspot or series of hotspots funded by local governments. Another advantage of wireless networks is improved connectivity; they can be used to provide improved service, to extend the reach of networks into areas that were difficult or even impossible to serve, or to provide a less expensive alternative to wired connections. Because installing a wired network cabling system can be costly and often difficult in older structures, wireless networks eliminate the need for extensive drilling or retrofitting older buildings.