Types of Wireless Networking Hardware

Knowing what types of wireless networking hardware you require to build a wireless network depends on what kinds of wireless LAN to build. Building wireless network in home to share broadband internet connection might be different than when you build a wireless network in harsh plant environments.

Wireless Network in Home

Generally when you subscribe a broadband internet in home either Cable or DSL services, you need to share the internet connection with many computers within the household. The easiest way to share the internet is in home is building the wireless network. What wireless networking hardware you need? Assuming you currently have the modem from the ISP, to build a wireless network to share your broadband internet you require the following equipments:

1. The wireless Access Point or The Wireless Router. When you currently have the modem in home for your broadband internet connection, which one you need – a wireless access point or a wireless router. This is confusing sometimes, but if you can identify whether the modem includes the firewall NAT or not – that will help you decide what device you require. If the modem supports the router or firewall NAT function – then you should buy a wireless access point. However, if you can identify that the modem does not include the router / firewall NAT feature – then you must buy a wireless router, unless there will only be one client computer that can connect to the internet in a time.
2. The wireless adapters for your computers. Brand new computers today are equipped with the default NIC adapter and some types with Wi-Fi adapter. All brand new laptops are mostly embedded with both NIC Ethernet adapter and Wi-Fi 802.11n. For the computers that are not equipped with the Wi-Fi adapters, you have many choices including PCI wireless adapters, and USB wireless adapters. Most people prefer USB wireless adapters which can be used both for desktops and notebooks.

The following is a general diagram of home wireless network to share the broadband internet and printer share.

You connect the wireless router to the Cable modem or DSL modem to share the internet connection. Some types of wireless routers support the USB port to allow you connect the USB printer to share to the network such as Belkin New wireless router (Share, Play, and Max Play) or ASUS RT-N13U Wireless access point router.

Wireless in Corporate Networks

Deployments of the wireless networks in corporate networks typically use the wireless access points connected to the corporate backbone network cables.

Generally the corporate networks provide wireless access to the mobile devices such as Laptops and Wi-Fi phones within the offices for hotspots internet access. Typically deployment of the wireless networks within the corporate networks should be implemented with high security considerations including segregation of different security policies for different groups of users (such as for guests). See also designing campus network using Cisco 521 and WLC 526.

Deployments of the wireless network in harsh environments such as the Warehouses and plants environments generally use the wireless outdoor access points which are designed specifically for harsh environments. For outdoor or harsh environments, the wireless APs must be manufactured with rugged housing and industrial-grade components to allow the devices to operate under extreme temperatures ranges for example from -30~70 degrees C and embedded with the surge protection, weather-proof, water-tight, and rust resistant. For examples, for harsh outdoor environments you can use Cisco Aironet 1310 Outdoor Access Point/Bridge, or Dap-2590 Wireless N Dual-band Access Point for small to medium class businesses.

Cellular Networks

With your laptops, or smart phones or cellular phones you can access the cellular networks. You need a cellular account to access the cellular networks. The advantages of cellular wireless internet is apparent for traveling executives or service/field representatives that need constant connectivity at remote events or while in vans, limousines or on trains. You can extend and share the cellular networks using the Wi-Fi equipments.

By extending the cellular network you can take advantage in the event of Emergency Response such as providing relief for a natural disaster or coordinating the rescue of a lost hiker, you can quickly set up a wireless network.

Cellular or mobile wireless internet is a nice solution for heavy mobile users and organizations that need to set up mobile outposts for special events or impromptu occurrences like natural disasters. What wireless networking hardware is for creating the Wi-Fi network using cellular network? Firstly you need 3g wireless modem.

Cellular Modem

In order to connect to the cellular mobile networks, which has until recently been used just for mobile phones, a device known as a cellular modem will be required. A Cellular modem is available in three different formats, which are the USB Cellular Modem, the USB dongle and the PC data card or Expresscard. Deciding on the most suitable Cellular modem to use is something you will need to do when choosing a mobile broadband provider to use. Deciding which modem to use whether USB, PC-Card or Expresscard is important. Mostly people prefer the USB modem since PC-card or Expresscard limits their compatibility just for laptops.

Cellular Router

To extend and share the mobile wireless internet, you need Cellular router such as DIR-451 by D-Link or Cardlepoint CTR500 for USB modem. Again, deciding which router you need depends on the type of Cellular modem you currently have. If your existing Cellular modem is USB type, then you need to choose the Cellular router which supports USB. Both DIR-450/451 supports PC-Cards type modem.

Currently you can also choose the mobile router that can also support the fix-line Internet (DSL/Cable) such as MEBR3500 NETGEAR mobile router. The router supports both types of broadband Internet and Cellular network. It includes one Gigabit WAN Ethernet-port you can connect to the DSL/Cable broadband connection. While to connect to the Cellular network, it supports USB Cellular modem.

See also:

• Computer security devices / appliances
• How to secure a wireless network in homes
• Understanding firewall DMZ security boundary
• Cable internet connection – diagram
• Ping IP address for troubleshooting tools