What is Wireless Internet Access?

Wireless Internet access, sometimes referred to as a “hot spot,” is a local area network (LAN) run by radio waves rather than wires. Wireless Internet access is broadcast from the central hub which is a hard-wired device that actually brings in the Internet connection. The hub, located at the main computer system or server, broadcasts Internet connectivity to clients, which is basically anyone within “hearing” range who is equipped with a wireless LAN card.
In the home, a desktop system setup for wireless Internet access will broadcast connectivity throughout the immediate area. Any family member with a laptop or desktop in another room can connect wirelessly to the Internet to share the main connection. Neighbors may also be able to access your wireless connection, which is why most wireless LANs are configured with password security. In this case, any machine that wishes to get wireless Internet access must first complete a “handshake” with the LAN, in which the password is requested. If the proper password is not supplied, access is denied. While initial security technologies were weak, security protocols for wireless Internet access have vastly improved with Wi Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wi Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) options.
While wireless Internet access is very convenient in the home, it is doubly so in the workplace. A wired network is not only very time consuming to install throughout a building, it is also very expensive. Ethernet cables used to connect client machines might need to be routed through walls, ceilings and floors. In the past, this disadvantage was sometimes overlooked due to the advantages of greater security and faster data transfer speeds through ethernet cables. However, these advantages have been largely mitigated. Wireless LANs can be installed in virtually minutes by nearly anyone, are extremely inexpensive, and data transfer rates rival hard-wired Ethernet LANs. Furthermore, WPA2 encrypts all traffic on the LAN, addressing the problem of eavesdropping.
One of the most popular applications for wireless Internet access is the public hot spot. Internet cafés are one example of places where one can sit with a laptop and sip coffee while cruising the Internet, checking email, or doing research. Cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) equipped with Web browsers can also utilize wireless Internet access points through public hot spots. Some localities provide free wireless Internet access for residents and visitors, such as in the city of Hermosa Beach, California. Since wireless LANs use radio waves that distort over long distances, the radius of the signal is limited. The further from the hub, the weaker the signal. Therefore cities that provide access will cover a specific area within the city where people can park to gain access.
Technology for wireless LANs is improving constantly. If designing a new wireless network, be sure to get network cards, a hub and wireless modem that support the latest protocols and security measures. Follow instructions carefully when configuring wireless Internet access and you’ll be up and running with a secure network in no time!

Advantages of Wireless Internet
Wireless internet or Wi-Fi is one of the latest developments in providing people with Internet access whenever they need it - even while traveling. This is a convenient way to stay connected with family members or business clients anytime of the day.

With the fast evolution and advancement of the Internet, millions of people all over the world make use of the Internet in their daily life. The internet offers a lot of useful information such as weather forecast, entertainment, research, music, news, online shopping, and many more. The Web also provides a more convenient way for people to communicate with others even in far away countries.

Businesses are also dependent on the Internet in dealing with their clients whether local or abroad. They too are kept posted with the trends as well as stock updates though the Net. They also use corporate e-mails in nearly all of their correspondence. Customer services and technical support of many companies also rely on the power of internet. Indeed, the Internet had become a necessity for ordinary people as well as business people.

Because of enormous growth of dependency on the Internet, people want to have internet connection even when on the go. This is now possible through the development of wireless Internet. Wireless Internet is popularly known as Wi-Fi, which is the trade name of this kind of wireless technology. A wireless Internet access is commonly called as hot spot in which a LAN or local area network transmits radio waves as opposed to a wired network.

Internet connection is broadcast with the use of a central hub connected to a computer system that functions as the server. The server broadcasts the signal to clients which have Wi-Fi capable devices such as desktop computers, PDAs, laptops, mobile phones, game consoles, and many more electronic gadgets. The wireless internet covers diverse IEEE 802.11 advanced technologies such as 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a.

A home network can be set with wireless Internet, as well. This is done through the utilization of a router which performs as an access point. The router broadcasts Internet connectivity to Wi-Fi enabled devices within its area of reach. With this set of connections, anyone from the family can make use of their laptops or desktops and can gain access to the Internet.

What's more, wireless Internet through home network can also be accessed by neighbors without your knowledge. To resolve this issue, a password security can be configured so that only authorized devices can have access to the network. With the growing risk of security issues, the security protocols for Wi-Fi log on have been made available with the employment of Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2).

Wireless internet through its public hot spot is being offered for free to its customers by many business establishments. These establishments include internet cafes, food chains, coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants. Some airports also provide the same service for travelers' convenience. These features are becoming very prevalent in many places and countries. There are also a number of cities which provide wireless Internet access to their residences and visitors. Since the hot spot can cover only a certain area, you have to be within the range of the hub in order to log on to the Web.

Significantly, a wireless Internet is of great advantage compared to wired network. Wired network usually consumes a lot of time in order to set up in a building or house. It also entails more expenses as it requires a lot of UTP cables to be wired for each of a client's computers. In some instances, there is a need to route wires through thick wall or ceilings. Wireless LANs can be deployed easily and is less expensive. More clients can be added to the network without the necessity for extra materials.

Since 2008, many of the latest laptops and gadgets come with a built in wireless network device. There are also a lot of gadgets which can be applied for computers or laptops that do not have any wireless network device. Some of these devices are the USB Wi-Fi adapters, PCI wireless adapters, PCMCIA Wi-Fi cards and other similar devices. There are also wireless repeaters used to extend the range of signal of any existing wireless network. This device is ideal for locations having many physical barriers like thick walls and in cases where there is a need to share the Internet in two separate buildings.