Wi-Fi is the popular name given to wireless internet technology. This technology depends upon radio signals to deliver high speed internet connection. Wi-Fi is in fact a registered trademark and it is owned by an organization known as the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi works on wireless network as is widely known. It is dependent on radio signals which are propagated through space with the help of an antenna. An access point lies at the core of any wireless network. The access point broadcasts the radio signal and any wi-fi equipped computer in the vicinity grabs the signal and connects to the network.
It goes without saying that the computer or any other device that is used to connect to the wireless network must be equipped with an adapter. Any device whether it is a computer or a video game console or a smart phone or a digital audio player with the necessary equipment can connect to the internet when it comes within the range of the network. Often, one or more access points are interconnected to enhance the range of the network and such an enhanced range is called a hot spot. Hot spots can be of varying area ranging from a few small rooms to many square miles.
Wireless hot spots provide public access to the internet and sometimes they are even offered free of charge by businesses like airports, hotels and coffee shops to attract customers. Routers equipped with a modem and an access point are used in offices and homes for private usage. Such routers can provide internet access or network connectivity to all wireless devices connected to it. These devices can also be used for client-to-client connections without using a router. They are known as the wireless connections. The greatest advantage of wireless connections are that even places like your kitchen or your garden shed can have network access. Now with the emergence of cellular networks or mobile broadband as they are popularly called, users can easily create their own wireless hot spot and connect to the internet.
Considering the emerging trends in wireless technology many cities and campuses decided to transform the entire area into a hot spot. However there have been failures as well as some remarkable successes. Sunnyvale in California was the first city to be successful and provided wi-fi access free of charge to the entire city. Some universities in the United States and the rest of the world are successful in offering wi-fi access in their campuses. The wireless connections without a router is also becoming popular especially with video game consoles. Another application is called the wireless direct which allows for file transfers and data sharing through a secured channel.
Apart from private home usage, the wi-fi technology has grown by leaps and bounds especially within business and industrial premises. By providing more and more access points, businesses can now avoid the expenses of laying down extensive cable networks to connect their various departments and people. Even places where it was not possible to lay cables like outdoor areas or monuments are now connected thanks to the wireless technology. As time has progressed more technical stuff has been concentrated at a centralized hub and the role of the individual access points are now downgraded to be dumb receivers. Overall, the wireless technology holds much promise for the future.
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