For the most part, we have been used to wired networks for many years. The advent of the wireless age has made a dramatic impact on our ability to do a lot more when it comes on to networking. When we consider in the past that the only way to get information from one place to another was to use a messenger on a horse or having to run cables for thousands of miles to connect two or more places, we see the vast improvement in communications standards thanks to wireless technology. Wireless networks encompass a great deal of services that we take for granted each day. Even in our own homes there are appliances and other devices that use wireless technology to perform their functions.

Consider some of the areas and places and applications where wireless networks are used on a daily basis:

1. Cellular phone networks
2. Cordless phones
3. BlueTooth devices
4. Infrared devices
5. Paging systems (pagers that people walk around with)
6. PDA’s, Palm Tops, Laptops
7. Wireless mouse and keyboard
8. Wireless routers
9. Remote controlled garage door and gate openers
10. Remote controlled system shutdown (many power plants, for instance, have the ability to wirelessly shutdown a section of their power grid from a remote station)
11. Satellite communications
12. Alarm systems

The applications are so vast that it would give us a headache to try and figure out every instance where wireless technology is used. The fact though is that it has had a great impact on our lives and has changed the way we do a lot of things forever.

I begin with a definition of Wi-Fi according to Wikipedia: “Wi-Fi is a wireless technology brand owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance intended to improve the interoperability of wireless local area network products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Common applications for Wi-Fi include Internet and VoIP phone access, gaming, and network connectivity for consumer electronics such as televisions, DVD players, and digital cameras.” The different types of devices that are now using the Wi-FI technology increases daily. The ease with which devices can “talk’ to each other has dramatically improved communication between devices. Computers and laptops can talk to cell phones and so on.

Wi-fi technology is the future. It will mean the difference between effective transmission of information and the poor delivery of said info. If you look on it from a logical point of view, it would be impractical to run cables from the North Pole to the South Pole to facilitate communication. That is why wireless technology is important and will continue to play a valuable role in communication. It saves money and time and is more feasible. We can definitely look for even greater things to come as Wi-Fi gets more sophisticated.

BlueTooth is becoming an increasingly popular technology. As a wireless means of communication, it has revolutionized how people are able to share information and data and also make calls. The truth be told, it has impacted positively on technology over the past several months and will indeed make greater strides in the future. Persons with devices that have BlueTooth can easily share files by simply placing the devices beside each other. One drawback I have seen with this new technology is that sometimes the files you are sending to one person in particular may inadvertently be shared with other persons who have devices that use BlueTooth who are in close proximity to them. So there seems to be a slight glitch in secure data transfer. A means of encryption may have to be formulated to ensure that only the intended party receives the files or better yet is able to read them.

BlueTooth can be found on cellular phones, PDA’s, Palm Tops, Laptops, and even some Desktop computers. As such, you do not need to be on the internet to share information. Wireless technology has made life much easier for everyone and keeps getting better and more sophisticated. BlueTooth headsets, for example, have eliminated the need for a corded earpiece. Just ensure that you keep the headset fully charged or else you won’t be able to use it. In addition to being more convenient, it is also more comfortable and in some cases provides a clearer transmission. Are you decked out with BlueTooth devices as yet? You may get left behind if you wait too long. Remember, technology changes every minute.

As times change, the conventional ways of setting up a network has become more or less tedious. The fact is that with the expanse of communications and telecommunications making the world a very small place, it is impossible to connect any two or more global networks via cables only. The global village of which we are all residents now demands the use of wireless networking protocols and systems. As such, wireless communications have literally taken over every aspect of how we keep in touch. Almost everything we do today depends on some form of wireless interaction.

Let us look at the whole picture logically. If you wish to speak via web cam to a friend in another country, at some point during the whole process some wireless device plays a role. So, if you are in the United States and have a friend in the North Pole, it is very easy to talk to that person (audio and video). The simple process goes like this:

^ You are connected to the internet via your ISP, whether dial up or broadband (can be hard wired or wireless connection)
^ The ISP is connected to either their own VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) or uses the service of a phone company or other private entity
^ The VSAT points into space at a communications satellite with which it exchanges data and information (this is wireless, of course)
^ The communications satellite is linked to an earth station that also sends and receives information between itself and the satellite
^ The earth station sends its data to Central Stations of telephone companies which in turn connect the computers on the network to the person you wish to speak to

Pretty cool, huh?! Wireless networking is indeed here to stay and as time goes by it gets more and more sophisticated. The quality of the transmitted media is also getting better and better and we can expect to see some fantastic changes in media and communications.

Some of the times when people complain that their wireless devices do not work properly, it is their own fault. Have you ever tried using using a cell phone in a ‘back room’ where little or no light from the outside can be seen? The fact is that certain devices cannot transmit and receive data properly on the inside, worst if it is a sound proof room! Even laptops with wireless connections face a similar dilemma.

Proper communication between wireless devices can be achieved in a number of ways:

1. Ensure that the signal strength in the area that you are using the device is strong. If it is low, go to an area where you can get more bars.
2. Since some cell phones do not work well in sound proof rooms or rooms that are protected with thick walling. Find an area closer to an entrance/exit that leads outside before making a call.
3. Use laptops and other portable devices on a wireless network in the recommended usability range for better reception.
4. Make sure that you use only compatible devices on wireless networks to prevent conflicts and other errors.

There are other things you can do, but these are the most common reasons why people experience problems.

There are many ways of defining what a Router is. Here are two:

Definition 1:

A device or setup that finds the best route between any two networks, even if there are several networks to traverse. Like bridges, remote sites can be connected using routers over dedicated or switched lines to create WANs. – www.ohsu.edu/vcs/glossary/

Definition 2:

A device that determines the next network point to which a data packet should be forwarded enroute toward its destination. The router is connected to at least two networks and determines which way to send each data packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to. Routers create or maintain a table of the available routes and use this information to determine the best route for a given data packet. – www.ml-ip.com/html/support/glossary.html

Simply put, a Router is a device that routes the signal from one network to another or from one computer to another on any given network, allowing transfer of information. Routers do not have definite numbers of ports as it all depends on where exactly it is going to be used. Some Routers have as little as three (3) ports (one input and two outputs) to more than ten. Some have multiple input ports also. Prices also vary depending on the features and brand name. Some of the top-of-the-line names include NetGear and Cisco.

WebTv now has a new name. It is MSNTv. The new service offers a lot of improvement over its predecessor. Though a bit pricey right now, the MSNTv package includes the following:

* MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player
* Wireless keyboard (batteries included)
* Remote control (batteries included)
* 6′ audio/video cable
* 25′ phone cord
* Telephone-line T-splitter
* Registration card
* Power supply
* Setup and User Guides

I used to use the old WebTv, but that was a while back. I will definitely try the new MSNTv, someday. There are three options available for you to get it. You can buy it online, buy it by calling for home delivery, or buy it at your favourite retailer.

Here are just a few specs. on the new MSNTv:

Model – RM 4100
Operating System – Windows CE
Processor – 733 MHz Intel Celeron
Memory – 128 MB RAM and 64 MB Flash memory
Dimensions – 11.75″ W x 9″ D x 2.375″ H
Weight – 4.45 lbs
Supported Image Formats – JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG
Supported Media Players – Windows Media Player for TV
Web Browser – Internet Explorer 6.0 technology
TV & Stereo Requirements – TV (or VCR connected to a TV) with available audio/video
input jacks or available antenna jack (if your TV only has
an antenna jack, an RF modulator is required). S-video
connection optional.
– Stereo or AV player with available RCA audio input jacks
Wired Broadband Network Requirements – Ethernet network hub/router/gateway
– Ethernet cable with RJ45 connectors
Wireless Broadband Network Requirements – Compatible Wi-Fi/wireless Ethernet bridge
(802.11b and 802.11g) for connecting to an existing wireless network

This is the final of the three part series on Common PC Problems and Their Solutions. As promised we are going to take a look at the wireless keyboard and wireless mouse.

This will be a bit easier than their wired counterparts as usually one of four things would generally have gone wrong for either wireless mouse or keyboard not to work. These are:

1. The infrared (IR) line-of-sight is being blocked
2. The IR port has not been activated in the BIOS
3. The wireless device itself is defective
4. Improper driver installation of the IR communications device on the computer

Let us now focus on dealing with the problems:

Problem 1 – Ensure that nothing is blocking the IR line-of-sight either in front of the mouse or keyboard and also on the computer. If something is blocking it, common sense prevailing, simply remove the object.
Problem 2 - Start up your computer and press ‘F1′ or ‘Delete’ or whatever other key allows you to enter your BIOS settings. Look for ‘Advanced Configuration’ (or something similar) and search for ‘Enable IR Port’ (or something similar). Then press ‘F10′ and choose ‘Save Configuration Changes and Exit’. Once your machine has retsarted and your operating system loads, the devices should work.
Problem 3 – If you suspect that the wireless keyboard or mouse is defective, have it checked out by a professional (if you know what to do, then by all means go ahead). The device may need to be repaired or replaced. Based on the choices presented to you, you have to decide. In any case, the end result should be that you have a fully functional keyboard and mouse.
Problem 4 – If the driver installation for the IR communications device was corrupted in some way, uninstall the present driver, restart your computer, and then re-install the driver.

I hope that the three part series I presented has been of some help to you. By no means is this the last article on dealing with computer related problems and how to fix them. From time to time I will bring you more of these articles.

If there is something that you want me to research and discuss on this blog, please send me a note. In order to prevent phishing, I will not post my email address here. To contact me, please [Click here to register a helpdesk account]. Then login and send me your request.