What is Wi-fi?

Wi-Fi is a term used commonly for Wireless Local Area Networking. Wi-Fi is a quick and easy method of networking various devices wirelessly.

Wireless networking is usually done as follows - A wireless adapter in the computer converts digital data to radio frequency (RF) waves and transmits these waves using an antenna. This signal is picked up by a wireless router in the vicinity that converts the RF waves back to digital data and transfers the data over the Internet through an Ethernet connection.

Wireless networking uses the frequencies of 2.4GHz or 5GHz. Wireless networking offers a low-cost and cable-free solution for Local Area Networks. As long as each computer has a wireless adapter, the same wireless router can be used by several computers to connect to the Internet. This connection is very reliable provided the bandwidth limit is not exceeded, in which case users may experience intermittent connection to the Internet.

Wi-Fi is actually a certification issued by an alliance consisting of over 300 companies for wireless devices that use the IEEE 802.11 standard for networking. The Wi-Fi standard is a global one. The certification costs are steep but it ensures seamless interfacing of devices with Wi-Fi certification.

Wi-Fi also allows peer-to-peer connections between wireless devices, more commonly known as an ad-hoc network that is of great significance in gaming and pervasive computing applications.

Whenever a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a laptop, mp3 player or a mobile phone enters the coverage of a wireless network connected to the Internet, Internet access is available for that device. A set of interconnected access points is called a hotspot - many hotspots are available in public spaces like airports, parks and offices.

With a single Internet connection and a wireless hot spot in a home, cable-free Internet connectivity can be provided to multiple wireless-capable devices. As wireless-enabled hardware gets cheaper and cheaper, Wi-Fi networks are emerging as the preferred option for home networking.

The range of a Wi-Fi equipment is typically between 30-95m. Wireless repeaters are sometimes used to extend the range of Wi-Fi equipment. In addition, Wi-Fi devices usually suffer from interference caused by devices like Microwave ovens that work in the 2.4GHz range. Another issue plaguing Wi-Fi equipment is the high power consumption. This becomes an issue in portable equipment running on batteries.