Hi, this is Bndsbon. In the previous blog posts, I have talked (actually a lot) about computer software and hardware. Today I will be introducing to you something abstract, which is characteristics and components of a wireless network. Let’s get started!
Basically, components within a wireless network are seperated into two major categories. One is software components, the other is hardware components.
Hardware Components are as follows:
Node
Modem
Swith and hub
Wireless Network Adapter / NIC
Wireless Antennas
Wireless Repeater
Radio Waves / Ethernet Cable
Software Components are as follows: (Generalized)
Network Operating System
Protocol Stack (TCP/IP)
Applications
NOS is Network Operating Sytem, OS is Operating System. There are a lot of differences and similartities between them, please search them online to get more information. (If you still have a lot of time, search online for software and hardware firewall)
Types of wireless networks
Picture from flylib
WAN means wireless area network
WMAN means wireless metropolitan area network
WLAN means wireless local area network
WPAN means wireless presonal area network
As we can see that there are different kinds of wireless networks, we need to have a common standard that enable us to use them on a daily basis. So here it comes the Wireless Networking Standards.
The current wireless Networking standards basically composed of five generations, they are 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G (LTE, WIMAX), 5G.
Since in China now, we uses 4G. So I am going to talk more about 4G in this blog post. However, I am always happy to answer you questions related to other gnerations, all you need to do is to put a comment blow.
Picture from Wikipedia
WiMAX, as known as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, it is first designed to be transimitting data and information for a long distance, and within a short period of time. It has a relatively cheap price, so it is a good choice for poor countries or regions. It’s main rival is LTE.
WiFi, as known as Wireless Fidelity. It is very very common in our daily life, we use mobile devices or computers to connect to it. It is used both in our homes and working places. It has different versions, each has a different data transmission speed.
Here is the presentation poster we did, by the way our groups topic is about 4G LTE and WiMAX
Poster made by Iris, Michael, and Charles
All in all, today we learned a lot of new stuffs. Many I found very familar with. However, I also found new understanding of them. As I learned more about computer network, more I realized how intellgent the very first people who designed the computer nework are. I hope I can make more improvements on my knowledges over computer science as time goes.
Looking forward to our next class!
References:
“1.2 wireless networks and Broadband wireless access (BWA) – WiMAX: Technology for Broadband wireless access.” flylib. 2008. Web. 8 Nov. 2016.
Stuart, IWantRouters -. “I want to setup a wireless network part 2!” wordpress. iwantrouters, 3 Sept. 2012. Web. 8 Nov. 2016.
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