Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Only going to be one computer and prob a laptop due to roll top desk space limitations so looks like I don't have to worry about Wi-Fi at this time! Thanks Leonard Montie > Lets make things a little simpler. > > 1. If you have only 1 computer and a cable or DSL modem you don't > need a router. Just connect your computer to the modem via ethernet > cable. > > 2. If you have more than 1 computer at nearly the same location you > will need a router to connect to both computers. The router then > connects to the modem, all via ethernet cable. > > 3. If you have more than 1 computer located in other rooms or on a > different floor, the preferred interface would be to go wireless and > create a local area network. This consists of a router that connects > to the modem via ethernet cable and to the various computers via > wireless 802.11G (or older B) wireless cards. > > In my home I have 2 Apple computers, 1 Windows computer and a laptop > connected wireless to my cable modem. When my son visits he has > 802.11G built into his powerbook. As soon as he turns it on he's > connected to my network. > > 4. Bluetooth is a short distance protocol used to connect accessories > to larger devices. The wireless headset connects to my cell phone via > Bluetooth. My wireless mouse and keyboard connect to my iMac via > Bluetooth. > > Len Taupier > RF Design Manager > Motorola Inc. > > > (now retired) > > > On Dec 12, 2006, at 7:59 PM, Lawrence Zeitlin wrote: > > > > > On Dec 12, 2006, at 6:37 PM, Monte wrote: > > > >> I get Bluetooth, but > >> what the hell is Wi-Fi 802.11g?? Thanks again for the help! > > > > > > Wi-Fi is the generic name for the RF link between computers and a > > local area network (WLAN) router. Enough of the gobbledegook here. > > Your cable or DSL wideband iink to the internet terminates in a > > modem which separates the internet signal from the TV and/or phone > > signals. The modem, in turn, is attached to a router which usually > > offers both wired and wireless connection to the computer(s) at > > that location. The RF signal is at 2.4Gz, a band set aside by the > > FCC for a variety of uses including communication and > > (unfortunately) microwave ovens. The IEEE designation for one form > > of communication in this band is 802.11. There are several flavors > > and speeds of devices operating under the 802.11 designation. The > > oldest and most common is 802.11b. This has a maximum throughput of > > about 11Mb/second but is usually slower. It is the kind implemented > > in first generation Wi-Fi systems including Apple's original > > Airport. It tends to have a relatively long range, up to 300 ft. > > without an external antenna. 802.11g is a faster implementation in > > the same band. It can speed up to 54Mb/sec. Newer computers are > > equipped with 802.11g cards. Apple's Airport Extreme is of this > > type. Both systems degrade gradually by slowing down if the range > > is too great or the signal is poor. The earlier system is > > compatible with the later system but only at the 11Mb speed. > > Because every 802.11 system can operate at the slower speed, that > > is the one used in Starbucks and most public places. Wi-Fi is still > > in development but the two described are the most used. > > > > Bluetooth is a very low power short range system (about 30 ft.) > > which is intended to connect devices to a local computer without > > using a wire. > > > > If you are connected to the internet by a wideband link, the > > fastest way to get signals to your computer is by a wire directly > > to the modem or router. Ethernet cables can handle over 100Mb/sec. > > And they are extremely cheap and reliable. Most modern computers, > > including all Apples, come with a built in ethernet capability. Wi- > > Fi is mostly for portability and convenience. > > > > Larry Z > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Leica Users Group. > > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information