Wireless Networks for Home and Business

Introduction

Why should you implement a wireless network for your home or business? The reasons are simple and compelling. According to a 2002 study released by InfoTech, the number one desire for end users is increased productivity. People want the ability to use their laptop computers anywhere and remain connected. The convenience of wireless networking has immediate appeal. With the ability to roam, you can easily obtain key files and information during meetings, you can work in a team environment without sharing offices and you can carry your laptop to other rooms or buildings without interrupting workflow. The advantage you gain in being able to take your work and information resources to your customer cannot be overemphasized.

The wide availability of wireless networking and the relatively low implementation cost of wireless LANs can have a huge impact on the freedom of a network user. Wireless LAN technology can also take a whole series of problems associated with hard-wired networks off the table. But - along with this freedom, wireless LANs bring a new set of challenges.

There are several wireless LAN solutions available today, with varying levels of standardization and interoperability. The most common and widely available wireless LAN technology is known as Wi-Fi™ (IEEE 802.11b/a/g).  802.11 technologies enjoy the widest  industry support and are targeted to solve Enterprise, Home and even public "hot spot" wireless LAN needs. The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance is working to provide certification of compliance with the 802.11 standards, helping to ensure multi-vendor interoperability.

Wide industry support for interoperability and operating system support address some of the deployment questions for wireless LANs. Still, wireless LANs present us with new challenges around security, roaming and configuration. See  Wireless LAN Technologies and Windows XP a Microsoft-published white paper for a discussion of these challenges; the paper also presents some possible solutions, focusing on how Windows XP will play an important role in providing those solutions with support for zero configuration, 802.1x security and other innovations. Also see the page on wireless network standards on this website for a brief rundown on WiFi standards.

WiFi Hot Spots.

Now that laptop computers and PDAs are readily available with built-in wireless access cards, there is even more reason to demand wireless LAN access. Private contractors, entrepreneurs, salespeople, students and others whose livelihood demands an on-the-go workday have found another valuable asset - the proliferation of of so-called WiFi 'hot spots'. These islands of wireless Internet access are offered by coffee shops like StarBucks, bookstores and other businesses that wish to establish themselves as destinations for their clientele. This new blend of access and mobility has allowed whole new class of business operator to emerge.

How Secure are WLANs?

So what's the catch? Low cost, convenience, ease of setup, easy access - what's not to like? The issue that many wireless users fail to address is that of security. Case in point: recently, while waiting for a dental appointment, I pulled out my Dell Axim PDA to do a little wireless net sniffing. I had equipped the Axim with a standard 802.11b wireless interface - cheap, widely available - the most common type in use these days. From my dentists' waiting room, I was able to connect to two different wireless networks in the same building. While this may be a good method for locating prospective clients, it points out the fact that far too many WiFi users fail to secure their access points against intrusion. This is equivalent to leaving your front door wide open night and day. Not a good idea, since an unsecured wireless access point will give a reasonably astute intruder complete access to your internal network.

Wireless LAN security doesn't have to be complex or difficult to implement. But you must understand the technology, its limits and the nature of the threat. With that understanding you can take cost-effective measures to secure your wireless LAN.

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