Business - WiFi
WiFi, started on 21 sep 2997
a method to allow a device to connect to a computer ethernet network with out cables
This might explain why when i first used it in my job as a network specialist and administrator in 1998 it was, flaky at best
After connection for a few hours, it would stop moving data
The WiFi symbol (the word WiFi backed by a circle) is a trade mark of the WiFi alliance
Devices tested to the WiFi alliance standard were labelled as "WiFi Certified", all others were Wireless Lan (WLAN)
2017 the WiFi alliance consisted of more than 800 companies, there were just over 3 billion WiFi devices in 2019
WiFi is designed for use with Ethernet and supports parts of the IEEE 802 protocol (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
In 1989 a team of scientists in Australia were working on wireless LAN technology, in 1992 a prototype was developed which was submitted as a patent
In 1991, NCR corporation and AT&T invented WaveLAN which was designed for use in retail as Cashier Systems
NCR's Vic Hayes and Bell Labs Bruce Ruch held the chair of IEEE 802.11 for 10 years
they approached IEEE to create a standard which resulted in the 802.11a and 802.11b specifications.
1997 saw the first version of 802.11 protocol with spends of 2M/bit, then updated in 1999 802.11b came around with speeds of 11M/bit.
1999 the first major commercial breakthrough happened with Apples iBook, calling the WiFi, AirPort
WiFI uses a large number of patents held by multiple different organizations in Australia, USA and the Netherlands all claiming to be the inventors
WiFi is not an acronym for Wireless Fidelity, although those words have been used in original marketing, its a shortened easy to remember name for a
group of technologies for wireless connection, the same as HiFi broadly would mean music and hardware rather than a specific audio device. It is however
specific to Ethernet, although Zigbee, Z-Wave and Bluetooth all use the same radio frequencies they are there own technologies and protocols
WiFi is a direct replacement for the cable or fiber connection to a computer, however being wireless is not as robust
It still requires the IP communication layer to move date, so just having a WiFi connection doesnt mean its "on the lan"
WiFi uses radio frequencies and bands, hence why a country has to be set to adhere to the local laws about radio usage
Letters where added at the end of the protocol to help remember the connection specifics, listed here in date order
1997 - 802.11 1-2M 2.4
1999 - 802.11b 1-11 2.4
1999 - 802.11a 6-54 (was an amendment to the original specification) 5
2003 - 802.11g 6-54 2.4
2009 - 802.11n (WiFi 4) 6.5-600 (0.6) 2.4, 5
2013 - 802.11ac (WiFi 5) 6.5-6933 (6.9) 5
2021 - 802.11ax (WiFi 6) 0.4 9608 (9.6) 2.4 5
(wifi 6e) 6ghz
2024 - 802.11be (WiFi 7) 0.4-23059 (23) 2.4 5 6
- 802.11bn (WiFi8) 100'000 (100) 2.4 5 6
At the company i worked in 1998 we purchased Wireless Access points for the sales laptops, some had the WiFi logo others "WLAN", never understood why until this research
A single access point antenna is easy to install and setup, increasing coverage is harder work requiring multiple access point antennas
Connecting them together is known as unification and they all work as a single access point
The mobile device can then move around jumping from antenna to antenna
This wouldnt work well for streaming data like videos or voice calls, new Protocols were created to help being 802.11k, 802.11r and 802.11v
The access point and mobile device need to support the protocols for them to work
802.11k - Helps devices quickly find the best available access point
802.11r - Reduces the time it takes to switch between access points
802.11v - Enables network devices to share information assisting when moving to new antennas
WiFi unification is a complicated method to install as it needs a layout design first
We have installed it and assisted other IT companies
Generally unifications is a cloud based solution, ours are fully on premise (private cloud), supporting up to WiFi 7 speeds (23Gb/s)
Each access point can sustain up to 300 devices, we have them in large corporations, public attractions and car dealerships
WiFi is mostly a luxury as the hardware is more expensive than copper cabling, other countries such as Tanzania and the Maldives WiFi is still very proprietary to the phone provider
Some installations have 10+ cell phone connections each providing single WiFi coverage.
our hardware solutions would allow a single internet (cell) connection to be spread around the building or island for full coverage as they are unified system
Being private only requires a single outlay cost
Large locations like hospitals or hotels its ideal as full multibuilding and parking are coverage is attainable
Locations like the Maldives whole island coverage with a single internet connection is possible
All hardware owned controlled by the business rather than service fees for multiple cloud serviced hardware antennas.
This solution allows for walking around a whole island in the Maldives with a WiFi phone, never dropping the call as its all handled by the private owned onsite unified WiFi communications network.
The same network distribute the internet connection to everywhere, fully secured and controlled by the owner.
Wireless communication remains working with no internet, no service or rental costs
We own WiFi testing hardware to install and configure access point antennas.
We invested in the equipment to provide you full control over your data and the ability to offer your clients better service than your peers who are utilizing rental cloud based systems.
Some examples of uses for Wireless coverage include point of sale units, roaming digital voice handsets (VoIP / SIP), roaming tablets such as inventory control, public information boards and guest use
anywhere in resorts or island beaches
Used where a physical connection isn't possible such as a boat or ship while approaching the island allowing for free, secure and in house controlled communications
perfect for both corporate and guest use before actually arriving at the resort
