Saturday, September 28, 2013

Wireless Networks

Some environments or very large distances are physically difficult to cable. In this case a wireless solution may be viable. Wireless networks operate using microwave, radio or infrared communication technology. The logical topology of such systems is still typically Ethernet or Token Ring. Wireless LAN communications are governed by IEEE standard 802.11b
Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless technology is a specification for short-range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones and other portable devices. It can be used for both voice and data and operates in a globally available frequency band. Bluetooth is the result of a collaboration
between 9 major communications and computing corporations (3Com, Ericsson, Intel, IBM, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba). This has made it an industry standard which is being rapidly adopted by other manufacturers.
Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
The Infrared Data Association (IrDA) is a trade association of more than 150 computer and
telecommunications hardware and software suppliers, including Hewlett-Packard, Apple
Computer, AST, Compaq, Dell, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Novell, and others.
The IrDA standard allows devices to communicate with each other via an infrared port running at up to 115.2 Kbps. IrDA ports can be created by attaching an infrared adapter (such as the Adaptec AIRport) to a serial or parallel port. IrDA provides a universal standard for LAN connections, peripherals, telephones and for communicating with other devices such as
digital cameras and kitchen appliances.