With so many types of wireless networks, how do you know which one suits your needs? We understand this common query. As more platforms make use of wireless technologies, organisations are obliged to select the right wireless network to suit certain needs. Different organisational needs demand different wireless networks since they are all designed to serve different functions and applications.
What Is The Internet?
The Internet is something that connects computers globally via a network. It enables individuals around the world to communicate, share information, and access a large amount of data. You can also utilise the internet to send emails, navigate different websites, view videos, play games, and much more. In layman’s terms, it is like a huge library where you can access different types of things just from your computer, mobile phone, or any other modern device from anywhere.
Majorly Used Internet Connections
The commonly used internet networks are:
- Wireless LAN (WLAN)
- Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN)
- Wireless personal area network (WPAN)
- Wireless WAN (WWAN)
- Broadband Connection
Every wireless network is identified by unique equipment interconnectivity and area coverage. Short-range connects personal devices, and long-range covers wider areas, which supports multiple connections.
1. Wireless LAN
WLANs are found to supply the internet in a building or a restricted external place. One of the devices that work with radio waves that are supported by WLANs includes laptops, smartphones, tablets and IoT devices. WLANs were initially deployed at homes and offices, but currently, their application is at stores and restaurants. The WLANs are restricted within a given confined and coverage area of one business or campus because they use radio transmission as opposed to wires.
WLANs are software that are run based on radio frequency (RF) waves and different wireless standards. 802.11 standard, also referred to as Wi-Fi, is the most popular protocol. Although the two terms are used interchangeably, Wi-Fi is just one kind of WLAN. WLAN networks are ad hoc/or infrastructure. An ad hoc WLAN does not require any access point (AP) because its endpoint devices can communicate directly with each other. Infrastructure WLANs consist of APs that radiate a wireless protocol, e.g. Wi-Fi. As an example, there is a basic home network design, where a modem is attached to a cable or fibre of a local service provider. A wireless router receives a signal from the modem and relays it to the devices connected to it. The router in this instance acts as the wireless AP.
The infrastructure model is also applied in an office network, however, in a more complicated manner. Placement. In large offices, it is necessary to have several APs, which are typically installed on the ceiling. The APs are wired network links to the office backbone network and transmit a wireless network over a wide area. To ensure open and connected sessions between APs, APs arrange support for users throughout the office. An example is that as the users relocate, APs will reconnect at the closest location to always have a continual and smooth relationship.
2. Wireless MAN
Wireless metropolitan area networks entail the transmission of broadband internet to people in a larger space relative to WLANs. These networks can reach up to 50 kilometres or so, which is the size of a city. Nevertheless, a WMAN (even though named otherwise) is also capable of covering rural locations. WMAN networks are either Multipoint or point-to-point. WMANs use the RF and normally employ the 802.16 wireless standard, which is also referred to as the Wireless MAN by the IEEE and referred to the majority as WiMAX. WiMAX works on both licensed and unlicensed bands and has wider coverage of frequency bands.
WMANs share the same principles as WLANs. APs have an interconnection to the internet and relay wireless signals across neighbourhoods, employing the sides or on top of a building or a telephone pole. The user accesses his/her preferred location through the AP closest to them, which then transfers the connection to the internet.
3. Wireless PAN
Wireless personal area networks have a small coverage region, normally not more than 10 meters. It links individual devices to the devices of users. WPANs have minimal dependencies in terms of infrastructure, and in many cases, it has smaller personal devices. Some of the examples of WPAN devices are as follows:
- Mobile phones
- Laptops and computers
- Wireless computer devices, such as a keyboard or mouse
- Wireless headphones
- Wearable smart devices
Popular WPAN standards are Bluetooth and Zigbee. Bluetooth allows mobile phone users to make phone calls without any contact links a phone to earphones, and enables data transfer among smart devices. Zigbee is used to interlink stations on an IoT network. The infrared technology is still based on line of sight, like the case of TV remotes that can link to the televisions.
4. Wireless WAN
WWANs are cellular technologies that serve as wireless access, which is not within the range of other wireless networks. It is a kind of network which has no limit on connectivity and the network across large geographic locations. The biggest of the WWANs are the ones with global coverage and flexibility of user mobility. This is especially because the WWANs are best at covering places that the wired networks cannot. The WWANs use cellular networks, e.g. 4G LTE and 5G, hence, work across cell towers.
Nevertheless, users do not have to use it to make a phone call only; cellular technology has found more applications in WWAN, making a speech or a transfer of data possible as well. The users can also enjoy a connection to the internet in order to go to a website or applications based on the server. This is done by connecting the users with the closest cell tower, which in turn relays the signal to the rest of the tower or the wired internet. You can now get your hands on the fastest and most reliable wireless corporate packages.
5. Broadband Connection
Broadband is a high-speed internet connection that is quicker as compared to a normal dial-up connection. It is either cable-based or telephone-based. It does not need any telephone connection, which is why we can utilise the telephone and internet connection in this place simultaneously. In this regard, there is an ability to connect to the internet with various people using it. It is a broadband data transportation that carries a number of signals and traffic kinds. Here, such media as coaxial cable, optical fibre cable, radio or twisted pair cable are utilised. For excellent fiber bundles, choosing us is the right option.
Summary!
Since wireless technologies are also in development, it is important that business selects the proper form of internet connection. Every wireless network, WLAN, WMAN, WPAN, WWAN, has different ranges of coverage, equipment requirements, and applications, ranging from a short-distance personal network to long-distance, city-wide coverage. Knowledge of their differences provides organisations with an efficient way of addressing connectivity demands. If you desire to get your hands on a fast and reliable internet connection, then wait no more and explore our official website.
