Wirelss Network Connection Problem? No Problem

Wireless devices are becoming more and more commonplace. For some, a wireless connection network problem can be a costly and annoying experience. Spotting the presence of a wireless device can be imperative for business or personal communication. A WiFi sniffer is a comparatively new tool that may help you find a signal when you need it the most.

Hotels and airports allow access to networks for business and leisure travelers, and networks are often useable to people who want to work or study from a park bench, a coffee house, or a shopping center. Mobile WiFi antennas give truck drivers, RV vacationers, and other mobile individuals continual access to the Internet, so they needn't keep their laptops or PDAs at home, and can reliably stay connected to their families or their employers.

As though such gadgets weren't enough, WiFi users can now own a sniffer, which is a wireless tool that finds the presence of other wireless devices, calculates the strength of their signals, and sends a report to the owner on the locality of the access point.

A WiFi sniffer can be an excellent tool for campers, backpackers, and other outdoor lovers. If you were to get lost while hiking or traveling in remote areas, by finding the signal of other wireless devices, you could call for help, or find the route to your camp or destination.

Likewise, if you were to misplace your own wireless equipment, such as your notebook, bluetooth or PDA, your sniffer can help you to find it; or if you are having a wireless connection network problem and are in dire need of a connection, your sniffer would give you a report of other such devices close by.

These are all good uses for a WiFi sniffer, but network accessories such as these can likewise be used for more nefarious intentions. For instance, a hacker intent on sabotaging or debasing the users of any WiFi network could use his or her WiFi sniffer to discover the presence of wireless devices, set up a fictitious WiFi network, or hack into the existing network, and take personal information from the users.

Likewise, the owner of a cyber café bent on stealing guests from a competing café could use their sniffer to spy on the network traffic of their competitor, and then elect to lower the cost of accessing their network to lure customers away from their rival. Or, the managers of a shopping mall may use their device to count the number of people who connect to their network, and then raise the cost to derive more profit from their customers.

Like most tools, a WiFi sniffer can be used for good or evil, and it depends upon the objectives for which someone uses such a tool. But if you are struggling with a wireless connection network problem, being able to access the nearby network can be a lifesaver. If you are interested in purchasing a WiFi sniffer, be sure to do a complete internet search on the range of products available. Get support on mounting your device, and chat with current owners to find out what other accessories you may need.

For more info, check out Wireless Internet or Purchasing Wireless Equipment. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Authoring Articles. Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King

WiMAx VS Wifi

WiMax (802.16) is is a newer standard of wireless networking designed to provide the last mile of high speed internet access to the end user. Some people would call Wimax WiFi on steroids but this would be to broad of an assessment. Wifi was and still will be used in LAN environments for the foreseeable future. WiMax was designed to provide (MAN) Metropolitan Area Access, to homes and businesses.

WiMax base stations will have the ability to provide approximately 60 businesses with T1 access and hundreds of homes with DSL/Cable speed access…in theory. Engineers are stating that WiMax has the capability of reaching 30 Miles but real world testing has shown 4-8 mile working radius.

WiMax (MAN) deployments are similar to a WiFi network. First the ISP would have their T3 or higher access. The ISP would then use line of sight antennas (Bridges) to connect to towers that would distribute the non line of sight signal to (MAN) residential/business clients.

WiMax line of sight antennas operate at a higher Frequency up to 60mhz. Distribution antennas do not have to be in the line of sight with their clients. Non – line of sight towers operate on a range similar to WiFi . WiMax can operate right next to cell phone towers with no interference.

WiMax networks are similar to Wifi in deployment. The Wimax Base station/Tower will beam a signal to a WiMax Receiver. Similar to a WiFi access point sending a signal to a laptop. As far as I can tell laptops will be shipping with Wimax receivers in 2006.

QOS (Quality of Service) is an major issue with WiMax because of the number of people accessing a tower at once. Some would think that a tower could be easily overloaded with a lot of people accessing it at once. Built into the WiMax standard is an algorithm that when the tower/base station is nearing capacity then it automatically will transfer the user to another WiMax tower or cell. Unlike a Wifi clients who have to kind of fight to stay associated with a given access point; WiMax will only have to perform this hand shake at the MAC level the first time they access the network.

WiMax is designed for building a network infrastructure when the environment or distance is not favorable to a wired network. Also, WiMax is a cheaper and quicker alternative than having to lay wire. Third world countries will greatly benefit from deploying WiMax networks. WiMax can handle virtually all the same protocols Wifi can including VOIP. African countries are now going to start deploying WiMax networks instead of cell phone networks. Disaster zones can also utilize WiMax giving them the ability to distribute crisis information quickly and cheaply.

Militaries are already using wireless technology to connect remote sites. Logistics will be simplified with the ease of tracking with RF technologies. WiMax can also handle Webcams and streaming video which would give commanders eyes on target capability. Just imagine if planes were able to drop preconfigured self deploying WiMax antennas in strategic areas giving troops real time battlefield intel. Armed with wireless cameras, drones and a GPS one soldier would truly be an Army of One.

As WiMax is deployed in more areas theory and real life capabilities of WiMax will come to light. The differences between WiMax and Wifi are simple. Think of a WiMax network as an ISP with out wires, with the signal providing your internet access to your business/ home. Wifi will be used within in your LAN for the near future.

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