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Wireless Home Networks

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Section 1: General Wireless Technology Questions
> What is wireless networking?
> What is IEEE 802.11?
> What about Security?
> Will the signal generated by wireless devices cause interference with other 2.4 GHz devices?
> Does weather affect the wireless signal?

Section 2: Wireless Internet Service Questions
> Do I need to use a phone line to establish a two way link?
> If I have a few small trees in my line of site to the tower, can I pass the signal through them?
> Does the height above the ground help the reception quality?
> Where is the wireless antenna typically mounted?
> What does the wireless equipment look like?
> Where is the Four Seasons Broadband Wireless Internet Service available?
> Is the Broadband Wireless a commercial or residential service?
> What are the wireless internet access upstream and downstream speeds?

Section 3: Wireless Networking and Consulting Questions

Q: What is wireless networking?
A: Wireless networking is a technology that allows computers to communicate using standard network protocols without the use of any cables or phone lines. The wireless services provided by Four Seasons Wireless uses the recent industry standard of IEEE 802.11, which is supported by manufacturers and vendors. This technology provides affordable wireless solutions for businesses and residents. It also provides the ability to deploy a networking infrastructure or internet connection in locations where these tasks would otherwise be impossible. 802.11 Technologies provide speeds greater than that found in typical broadband connections such as Cable and DSL.

Q: What is IEEE 802.11?
A: Wireless networking hardware is dependant on the technology that handles radio frequencies and data transmissions. The standard used by Four Seasons Wireless is 802.11 which were conceived by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). This has become a standard that defines all aspects of Radio Frequency Wireless networking. 802.11b can support speeds up to 11mbps.

Q: What about security?
A: Wireless communications provide potential security issues, since an unwelcome intruder does not need access to a traditional physically wired network in order to gain access to data communications. 802.11 wireless communications cannot be received nor decoded by simple scanners, short wave radios, or other similar equipment. Four Seasons Wireless provides security solutions to our customers by restricting access to the specific equipment used by a customer based off the Media Access Control address (MAC address). The MAC address is an individual and unique address assigned to each wireless PC card or USB Client. For businesses with high security in mind, Four Seasons Wireless can also encrypt the wireless signal using Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) 64-bit or 128-bit encryption for Virtual Private Networking (VPNs) and other wireless solutions provided for business connectivity. This encryption can provide privacy comparable to that of a traditionally wired LAN.

Q: Will the signal generated by wireless devices cause interference with other 2.4 Ghz. devices such as portable telephones and video senders?
A: All data transactions across the wireless network are handled by an antenna that is mounted outside the home or business. The antenna used is directional; therefore the signal is directed away from the interior of the home or business. Using a directional antenna in this manner reduces the potential interference with phones or other 2.4 GHz devices.

Q: Does weather affect the wireless signal?
A: No. The frequency used by the wireless communications is 2.4 GHz. Therefore the signal will not fade or falter during heavy weather conditions.

Section 2: Wireless Internet Service Questions

Q: When using the wireless system to connect to the internet, do I need to use a phone line to establish a two way link?
A: No. The wireless system supports two way links, providing both upload and download capabilities without the use of phone lines or any other additional equipment.

Q: If I have a few small trees in my line of site to the tower, can I pass the signal through them?
A: If your proximity to the tower is roughly 1 to 2 miles away, then it may be possible to carry the signal through trees and still be able to get acceptable signal strength. If you are within ½ a mile from the tower, then you should be able to pass the signal through several trees.

Q: Does the height above the ground help the reception quality like it would with other wireless technologies such as radios and TV antennas?
A: Extra ground height will only be assistance if it can help gain a better line of site with the radio tower. Otherwise, the reception quality will remain the same at any level of height from the ground.

Q: Where is the wireless antenna typically mounted?
A: The antenna would be mounted on your roof top or the side of your building so it would have a direct line of sight to the radio tower that transmits the wireless signal.

Q: What does the Wireless equipment look like?
A: Currently we exclusively use the EtherAnt-II model wireless antenna from Young Design Incorporated. Visit their website.

Q: Where is the Four Seasons Broadband Wireless Internet service available?
A: We are currently working on a more effective availability page for the website. Until then, give us a call at 1.877.49.SPEED.

Q: Is Broadband Wireless a commercial or residential service?
A: Four Seasons Wireless offers Wireless Internet for both residential and commercial use. Visit the pricing section of the website for more information on the services we provide.

Q: What are the wireless internet access upstream and downstream speeds?
A: Please go to the Services section of the website for more information.

Section 3: Wireless Networking and Consulting Questions

Q: What is a wireless network made up of?
A: There are two types of wireless networks:

The first type of wireless network is called an ad-hoc, or peer-to-peer network which is made up of a number of computers where each are equipped with a wireless interface card or USB client. Each one of the computers on the network can communicate with the others directly. They have the ability to share files, printers, and other resources. Depending on the configuration, they may not be able to access a wired LAN unless one of the computers acts as a bridge between the wireless network and the LAN.

The second type of network uses an access point or base station to connect computers that are equipped with wireless hardware. The access point acts as a hub, providing connectivity to the wireless computers. The access point also has the ability to bridge the wireless network with a LAN so that resources can be shared.

Q: Can I use a wireless network to interconnect two LANs?
A: Yes. Using wireless networking, users can build a cost effective solution that can connect two separate locations where cabled networking would be to expensive or impossible. Such an installation would require two access points, with each access point acting as a bridge or router that connects the physical LANs to the wireless network. The wireless connection allows both access points to communicate with each other, allowing the interconnection of the two LANs.

Q: Is it true that wireless networking is only good for laptop computers?
A: Wireless networking offers obvious benefits to users with laptops because it provides a mobile solution so that users can roam from one location to another. However, it also provides benefits for users with stationary computers:

Wireless networking can provide a secure, cost effective networking infrastructure that does not require the installation of wires and cabling. Wireless networking also benefits stationary computers in the sense that a computer can be moved from one location to another without having to worry about cables and installation.

Q: Can I share an internet connection using a wireless network?
A: Yes. You can share any type of internet connection with computers connected on a wireless network. As with traditional networks, special hardware or software may be required to share the internet connection with the computers. If you are using wireless internet provided by Four Seasons Wireless then it is possible that you will need two separate antennas. One antenna to be used for your wireless network, and another to be used with the wireless internet connections.