What You Can DoWith a wireless network, you canshare one incoming Internet con-nection with multiple PCs, transferfiles from one PC to another, and senddocuments to wireless-capable printers.With the right hardware and software, you can also exchange datawith any device that has a USB port (or other data transfer port) in-cluding a digital video recorder, a video camera, or a television—allwithout the need for cumbersome cabling.TidbitsCompiled by Jennifer FarwellGraphics & Design by Jason CodrThe Wi-Fi PuzzleWi-Fi (wireless fidelity) has been slowly gaining momentum for several years, but now is really ex-ploding. Wi-Fi actually covers several standards, all of which adhere to the IEEE (Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers) 802.11 specification. There are other wireless options than Wi-Fi, includingBluetooth (a less commonly used technogy that is slower and more short range than Wi-Fi) andWiMAX (a burgeoning wireless technology that works over longer distances than Wi-Fi—as of this writing, it has very limited availabity). Additionally, powerline, which runs data over existing electrical wiring, isoften lumped into the wireless group. In the next few years, consumers should also have access tonew technologies, most notably UWB (Ultra Wideband), that will extend the transmissiondistance or increase the speed (or both) of wireless connections.Wireless home networking is finally blasting offand with rocket-like speed. Research firm In-Stat/MDR projects revenues from wireless homenetworking equipment will reach over $12 billionthis year— – double the $6+ billion in revenues thecategory saw in 2003. By 2008, In-Stat/MDR pre-dicts, revenues will soar to $17.1 billion. If you’repreparing to join the wireless revolution, but you’renot sure exactly how to go about it, don’t despair. Afew years ago, setting up a wireless home networkoften required some serious configuration. However,a new generation of devices is making it easier thanever to network one or more PCs and other devices.All you need is the right equipment,some time, and a little patience.Look Ma, No Wires!Wireless Networking Takes OffStandardTe ch no lo gyUWB BluetoothWi-Fi Wi-Fi Wi-Fi WiMAX Fixed WiMAX MobileThroughput*110-480Mbps Up to720KpbsUp to54MbpsUp to11MbpsUp to54Mbps Up to75MbpsUp to30MbpsUsed For High-band-width close rangeLow-band-width close rangeLocal, home,and small busi-ness (line of site)Local, home, andsmall business(low bandwidth) Home andsmall business;public access Corporate; campushome networks;rural InternetPublic access, roaming users, possibly cell phones802.15.3a802.15.1802.11a802.11b 802.11g 802.16d 802.16e RangeUp to 30 ft. Up to 30 ft.Up to 300 ft.Up to 300 ft. Up to 300 ft. Typical 4 to 6 miles Typical 1 to 3 milesWhat You’ll NeedEven though the creation of a network is a much simpler process than it used to be, it still re-quires several pieces of hardware, each of which serves a specific function. In any network,you must have a router, a centralized data clearinghouse that unites the disparate nodes,identifying and authenticating each network member as it sends information to and fro. Inaddition, a wireless network requires a second, central device—a WAP (wireless accesspoint)—that can communicate with the router (either wirelessly or using anEthernet connection) and convert the data into radio waves. And of course, if youhave a broadband Internet connection, you must have a modem. Fortunately,wireless device manufacturers often roll some of these functions into a single de-vice. AWAP with a built-in router is called a wireless router; a router with a built-inmodem is called a gateway. If you are ordering Internet service in connection with the in-stallation of your network, check with your service provider. Some providers recommend acertain brand of wireless equipment and may even provide some of your equipment.In addition, each device on your network needs a unit that cansend and receive signals to and from the WAP or wirelessrouter. These can come in a variety of forms—built-in (mostcommon in recent-issue notebooks), a PCMCIA card (commonfor older notebooks), internal, using a PCI or other slot on amotherboard (common for older desktops), or external using aUSB connection (best choice for later-model desktops).You can also pur-chase specializeddevices, such asvideo camerasand audioplayers, withbuilt-in wirelesscapabilities. The ViewSonic Media Center,shown with the main WAP, oneadapter, and a remote control. A WirelessPrint ServerA Portable WirelessAdapter (USB)A PCMCIA WirelessAdapterA Wireless Access P ointPower It UpIn addition to 802.11 wireless networks, some companies offer a “wireless” technologycalled powerline or wireline. With this method, your data travels at speeds of up to14Mbps (using the latest technologies) over unused bandwidth in your existing electriclines rather than over radio waves. Some experts argue, with good reason, that this tech-nology isn’t truly wireless. However, the effect for the user is the same. There are no cum-bersome cables to run around your house—a PC can connect to the network in anyroom with an electrical outlet. Additionally, you can use powerline in tandem with wire-less to expand the range of your network.Peripheral devices,such as printers, televisions, and dig-ital video recorders,may require device-specific hardwaresuch as this printserver and