Wi-Fi – a good term for wireless internet technology
Wi-Fi is the popular name given to wireless Internet technology. This technology relies on radio signals to provide a high-speed Internet connection. In fact, Wi-Fi is a registered trademark and is owned by an organization known as the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi works on a wireless network as it is widely known. It relies on radio signals that are propagated through space with the help of an antenna. An access point is at the core of any wireless network. The access point transmits the radio signal, and any Wi-Fi-equipped computer in the vicinity picks up the signal and connects to the network.
It goes without saying that the computer or any other device used to connect to the wireless network must be equipped with an adapter. Any device, be it a computer, a video game console, a smartphone or a digital audio player with the necessary equipment, can connect to the Internet when it is within range of the network. Often one or more access points are interconnected to improve the range of the network, and the improved range is called an access point. Hot spots can be of variable areas ranging from a few small rooms to many square miles.
Wireless hotspots provide public access to the Internet, and sometimes even businesses like airports, hotels, and coffee shops offer them for free to attract customers. Routers equipped with a modem and access point are used in offices and homes for private use. 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 wireless connections. The biggest advantage of wireless connections is that even places like the kitchen or the garden shed can have access to the network. Now, with the advent of cellular networks or mobile broadband as they are popularly known, users can easily create their own wireless access point and connect to the Internet.
Considering the emerging trends in wireless technology, many cities and campuses decided to transform the entire area into a hotspot. However, there have been failures as well as some notable successes. Sunnyvale in California was the first city to succeed and provided free wi-fi access to the entire city. Some universities in the United States and the rest of the world are successful in offering wi-fi access on their campuses. Wireless connections without a router are also becoming popular, especially with video game consoles. Another application is called wireless direct, which allows file transfer and data exchange through a secure channel.
Outside of private home use, Wi-Fi technology has grown by leaps and bounds, especially within commercial and industrial facilities. By providing more and more access points, companies can now avoid the expense of setting up extensive cable networks to connect their various departments and people. Even places where it was not possible to lay cables, such as outdoor areas or monuments, are now connected thanks to wireless technology. As time has gone on, the more technical stuff has been concentrated in a centralized hub and the role of individual access points has now been downgraded to being sucker receivers. In general, wireless technology holds much promise for the future.
