Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]So Larry, if I was going for only one computer in the house (laptop w/DSL connect) and wanted to keep thinks wireless (printer etc) I would need Bluetooth and Wi-Fi also?? Montie > > 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 >