Don’t be to excited nor overwhelmed when you have saved up to buy your first wireless router. For the normal consumer, it seems that going with the trends is as simple as installing a wireless router in between your DSL and home network. In short, standard people are satisfied knowing that in any place of their home or office, wireless Internet access is within reach as long as they are within range.
Rather than paying for WiFi access, establishments and homes are slowly appreciating the benefits of installing a wireless router today. Rather than paying for a certain number of hours to get online, why not integrate your existing Internet service through a wireless device?
But while that is indeed something to look forward to, becoming advanced about the technical benefits of differentiating the various routers in the market today will surely set in.
For the record, here are some key points to consider when you purchase a new or your upgraded wireless router. Don’t be surprised about the technical specifications. They speak for themselves if you read on them closely.
Standards
802.11b
One of the oldest wireless standards, it provides data throughputs of 11 Mbps. Although such data throughputs are sufficient for casual browsing and Internet access, we recommend you go for a product that offers higher performance.802.11a
Many wireless routers support the 802.11a standard. This standard is not so widely supported and will not work with your existing wireless notebooks. The performance advantage provided by this standard is minimal compared to the current 802.11g standard.802.11g
This is the current standard supported by laptops. Almost all wireless routers support this standard and you can be sure about its compatibility with current generation laptops. It supports a maximum throughput of 54 Mbps.Super G
Many routers offer enhanced “g” modes or Super G modes that make use of framebursting and compression technologies to deliver greater speeds and range compared to that of traditional 802.11g products. Product manufacturers claim a 20 to 30 percent throughput improvement over standard 802.11g products. In our range tests, these products did deliver better throughput and range than regular 802.11g products. A word of caution here-you will not be able to make use of the extended range and performance of your wireless router using a standard Centrino laptop-you will have to buy a PCMCIA card along with the router that supports the relevant performance boosting technology.MIMO
MIMO is the new marketing buzzword for the yet to be ratified 802.11n standard. If you want faster speeds, MIMO is the way to go. MIMO uses multiple transmitter and receiver antennas for higher data throughputs and uses multiplexing to provide for a greater range. Although MIMO products are technically superior than 802.11b/g products, but many of them come at a higher price point.Security
Almost all modern-day routers offer WEP and WPA PSK (preshared key) encryption. Buy a router that supports the newer WPA2 standard that provides better security compared to simple WPA and eliminates flaws of the WEP encryption standard. Those better suited to business support 802.1x-based authentication. For improved security, we recommend routers that support SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewalls as opposed to simple packet filtering firewalls.
3Com has always bee a key figure in the world of networking solutions and while most of us are familiar with their earlier hardware offering, they have now offered a new one which caters more towards energy conservation and a security feature in the VPN initiation and termination. It is an idea device to use in most homes and offices who want to share Internet access using the wired and wireless connectivity.
Another key feature that it is offering is the ease in shutting it down by the push of one button. It helps save energy and also preserves the security that most administrators are wary about when it is left on.
For offices, this has been a common solution. Actually even in homes. Internet sharing and offering wireless access has been typically seen in most places today and the demand seems to be growing. As far as overall security is concerned, this is one issue that has to be accounted for and with this 3Com 802.11n solution, a great answer towards these questions in mind is sure to be answered.
So if you are in the market today for new routers to install, this is definitely one brand and contraption you can surely consider. You just have to keep up with the times and make sure that your network, no matter how small it may be, is up to par with potential intrusions that may find its way into your network.
(Source) CNN
The eCon 3011 is a new Ethernet solution that can help networks function in between twisted-pair cables and multimode or single mode fibre-optic cable. This Ethernet media covertor is a good thing to have especially for industrial environments.
With the fast evolution of Ethernet solutions and businesses aggressively trying to improve their existing networks, the main issue here is trying to accommodate all forms of data or file transmission over an Ethernet along with due consideration for the cabling types used.
The eCon3011 also supports fast Ethernet as well as power over the Ethernet. It also has a variety of settings, switch mode and converter mode. With the flexibility that the eCon3011, current Ethernet settings are bound to improve together with the various benefits that it brings along once it is considered for installation.
The new eCon 3011 is a fast Ethernet media convertor designed for use in industrial environments. Available from Harting, the device performs signal conversion between shielded twisted-pair cable and multimode or single mode fibre-optic cable, and also supports POWER over Ethernet (PoE).
The unit is designed to ease the migration to optical-fibre communication in industrial applications where electrical Ethernet data transmission reaches the limits of its performance, allowing users to extend the range and improve EMC immunity. It allows users to replace optical fibre with twisted pair or vice versa.
The eCon 3011 Fast Ethernet media convertor supports Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s), and offers a number of settings. In switch mode, it works in store-and-forward switching mode similar to an unmanaged Ethernet switch. In convertor mode, it runs at 100 Mbit/s (full duplex) with minimal latency. In PoE mode, it allows power to be distributed directly to a node on the network such as a PoE camera, says the company.
(Source) Electropages
For technology to make its way properly in integrating business with the benefits of automating normal day operations, cabling and networking planning is a need. But it doesn’t stop there. Remember, you also have to consider what type of cables to use that will be able to handle the data flow. Networking experts normally suggest the CAT 4 or CAT 5 cables. For the normal person, these are too technical in nature and chances are you would go with the cheaper one. That does not follow all the time.
CAT 4 Cabling (Category 4 Cables)
From Wikipedia:
Category 4 is a description of a cable that consists of four unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wires with a data rate of 16 Mbit/s and performance of up to 20 MHz. It was used in token ring networks, 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T4, and is no longer common or used in new installations. It was quickly superseded by Category 5/5e cable, both of which have 100±15 ohm impedance.
Depending on your network needs, the CAT 4 cabling allows optimized performance of up to 20 MHz and used in toke ring networks. This type of cabling is normal for starting companies who are fine with the standard data transfer rates and are not planning to upgrade to use other types of transfer that include audio and image transfers in their network.
CAT 5 Cabling (Category 5 Cables)
From Wikipedia:
Category 5 cable, commonly known as Cat 5 or “Cable and Telephone”, is a twisted pair cable type designed for high signal integrity. Many such cables are unshielded but some are shielded. Category 5 has been superseded by the Category 5e specification. This type of cable is often used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet, and is also used to carry many other signals such as basic voice services, token ring, and ATM (at up to 155 Mbit/s, over short distances).
This is the cabling that is recommended for the normal day businesses. You really never know when you may decide to upgrade your current system transfers. At the rate that technology is being used today, hardware is not the only thing that is upgrading with the times; software and programs too.
If you are working in a company, you will notice that your terminal or workstation will not normally have all the usual features enabled once you log on to the network. The usually default menus such as the control panel or even the applications may be limited and these are usually set by the network administrator for security reasons.
Tampering around with workstations is something that may get out of hand for most people. Usually they would want to personalize their computer as they wish and once they do something wrong, it will be up to the administrator to restore it once again. It is like a swan song of sorts since unless you set a line on when people have limited capacity and just use their workstation for data encoding or word processing, they will spend most of their time tinkering around with the computer which is not good.
Workstations connected to a network will also have some access limitations. Professionally, computers should not be able to see what is on another’s computer for confidential reasons. File such as business plans, financial reports and even the private 201 files of employees should not be seen by common workplace employees. In short, users and their level of participation in a network are set based on their capacity in the network which computers are connected.
This is also handing down control. The bad thing is, once something goes wrong and there is a breach in security levels, chances are it would be the network administrator who would take the heat. That is why they must make sure that these set restrictions are set properly and confidentially with no exceptions at all times!
These days, we see in the computer shops wireless keyboards and mice being offered. Personally, I find them as totally useless. Why would a person want a wireless gadget for their computer? It is not like you cannot move your current keyboard and mouse far from the screen. Actually when you think of it, who would want farther from the keyboard?
The reason behind why I find this entirely outrageous is the fact that they pose more problems than good. I can understand why wireless is being done these days but if you are the technically inclined person, would you really need one? Outside that of bragging rights, the feasibility of having a keyboard farther away from your LCD monitor seems to be illogical. The only thing I can see as a benefit from it is to avoid the usual wirings that get entangled behind your CPU and nothing more. Besides I heard they run out of batteries fast!
Add to this the fact that they cost double than the usual wired keyboards or mouse we normally need. Paying for more for a standard device seems crazy and if you are wise, it would be best to stick to the default way of using your computer for work or any normal practice we do today.
While it seems that many people are fascinated by these wireless devices, don’t be. They will give you more problems in the end and I will not be surprised if you suddenly find yourself wanting to replace them with the old style keyboards or mouse.
Cabling and networking solutions are not limited towards the business sector. It includes government and military groups which make use of technology and its fruits in the best way possible as well. Communication and data flow is likewise important for security matters concerning military tactics and surveillance. Seeing the nature of their purpose, you can just imagine the need for higher specs when it comes to cabling needs which are sure to be in for quite a lot when it comes to military intelligence and security needs.
Military sectors would do well to make use of high end wires such as the Infantry Fileld Wire Type. They are designed for use in military communication in areas where mountainous and dangerous areas are a given. Designed to withstand the various climate levels and varying conditions of military settings and conditions, this is perhaps the best cabling product the military can turn to these days.
The materials speak for itself. It is composed of 4 strands of 0.28 mm, copper wire and 3 strands of 0.28 mm steel wire. The conductor consists of 4 tinned soft or annealed copper wires and three galvanized steel wires. You can read more on the actual specs here.
It can likewise be easily withdrawn but the best thing about the Infantry Fileld Wire Type WD-1/TT is that it is suitable for all needs and conditions set forth by expected and fortuitous events in the world of the military. Hectic and demanding as it may, the Infantry Fileid Wire is a great solution if you want top of the line wiring suitable for all conditions thrown in your operations.
This is something that most technology experts would debate to this day. Apparently, there are two sides of this issue; Ethernet reliability or speed? Such is something we often stumble upon when we are at the forefront of developing and maintaining trusty Ethernet solutions that will function parallel to networking and business solutions. Apparently, most people today are after reliability and lesser issues once Ethernet solutions are put into play. But the thing is, the lingering evolution of faster interface and connectivity will always be a main cause for consideration as well.
If you are the typical computer expert, you will be by no means going for the speedier ones. The logic here is you will eventually find yourself upgrading to these Ethernet solutions so why bother spending for old reliable ones? But the matter of potential flaws will also linger as the time frame it may take between now and the potent upgrade may be all the time needed to perfect these Ethernet solutions.
Perhaps a good consideration would be for use. Normally, networks functioning today are sufficient and unless there is too much traffic or users participating in a network, it would be best to stick to the old reliable unless you are capable of maintaining the advanced Ethernet products.
The gist of it all, it is a matter of defining your networking needs and looking at the future. Enhancements as far as data streams where images and videos may be integrated is a given. It all boils down to your IT infrastructure at present and in the coming years.
One benefit that most students are privileged these days is the gift of technology. Apparently with Internet access now available to them, the modern way of enhancing their educational voyage has been made easier considering that they no longer have to hit the books that much or spend most of their time in libraries reading on reference materials and periodicals to come up with reports.
Further, the integration of having web access and Intranet setups allows them to consider various solutions such as advanced communication and even paperless environment solutions. So if you compare it with the good old days, you may say that students are lucky these days and are at an extreme advantage.
But along with these implementations come cost and additional burdens. The price to pay for technology is an additional investment that will evolve most users today and apparently this is seen as something that will work to the advantage of future businessmen and entrepreneurs. Broadening the knowledge scope thanks to Ethernet solutions is something that can be seen in most schools such as this deal struck by Time Warner Telecom and Colorado’s fourth largest school district.
Officials from Time Warner Telecom (News – Alert) Inc. say they’ll deploy Ethernet-based Internet and voice services throughout the district.
That pleases Glenn Owens, the district’s IT guy, who said Time Warner – a company based in Littleton, Colorado, that’s changing its name to “tw telecom†next month – showed “tremendous professionalism and a highly consultative approach to positioning our communications services for the long term.â€
Ethernet extenders continue to take the world by storm as far as offering new solutions and with the new Gefen TV Ethernet extender solutions, another dimension of offering better solutions using the in-wall power line cables to deliver Ethernet to any location that has existing power jacks. With that in mind, another solution towards broadening the scope of Internet access without the need for additional cabling.
Apparently we are seeing an aggressive evolution using wireless technology but one thing that experts are wary about is the quality of connection. The existing lines will be there and while we still use them for the usual voice calls, the discoveries of making use of existing infrastructure is certainly amazing.
Like most Ethernet extenders, the Gefen TV Ethernet is easy to install. Employing the familiar plug and play method of Ethernet delivery, the Gefen TV Ethernet can be utilized using power lines or coax extenders.
The GefenTV Ethernet over Power Line solution allows users to tap into any standard wall jack using in-wall power line cable to deliver the Ethernet to any room with a power jack, making Internet delivery supremely easy. Installation requires a connection of the Ethernet source to the sender, which is connected to a wall jack in the building. The receiver may be placed in any room, linked to another wall jack and delivering four Ethernet ports to be used as needed.
The GefenTV Ethernet over Coax extender uses standard coaxial cable to deliver Ethernet data throughout the home or office. In operation, the sender unit is connected to in-wall coax cabling, with the receiver placed in another room, connected to the existing cabling infrastructure. When connected and powered, both systems enable a simple method of extending the Internet signal without purchasing new cabling.
(Source) Web Wire
