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Till now the 802.11 (a/b/g) wireless technology has mostly been facilitating email and Internet access. That would change once products based on new wireless standards-802.11n, 802.11e and 802.11r- arrive in the market.
Everything on Wireless: Moving Beyond Data
With enhanced speeds and more security, these upcoming standards would not only allow a host of applications, including voice and video, to be put on wireless but also enhance mobility as in the case of 802.11r. "802.11r would permit connectivity aboard vehicles in motion, with fast handoffs from one base station to another managed in a seamless manner. Handoffs are supported under the "a", "b" and "g" implementations, but only for data. The handover delay is too long to support applications like voice and video," points out Shridhar Kadam, vice president, Product Engineering, D-Link. The 802.11r standard that specifies fast BSS ("Basic Service Set") transitions is currently awaiting approval.
The primary application currently envisioned for the 802.11r standard is VOIP via mobile phones designed to work with wireless Internet networks, instead of (or in addition to) standard cellular networks.
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IEEE 802.11n FAQ
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What features will the IEEE 802.11n standard offer?
The primary feature offered is speed; IEEE 802.11n offers at least four times, and perhaps eight times, the user data rate of any currently available IEEE 802.11 product.
Are there any 802.11n products available now?
No, there will not be any IEEE 802.11n products available until after the standard is finalized. In addition, any claims of compliance to the IEEE 802.11n standard would not be accurate.
How long does it take to develop an IEEE 802.11 standard?
This varies quite a bit. In the case of the draft 802.11n standard, it is not expected to be completed until the first half of 2007.
What potential interoperability issues exist with products that are not built to the final IEEE 802.11n standard?
There is a range of potential interoperability issues with products built based on an early draft of the IEEE 802.11n standard. Products can be built to a different draft of the same IEEE 802.11n standard and, as a result, can be implemented differently. In this case, products produced by different vendors may not work together. Working from different drafts of the standard can also result in the inability to achieve reliable backward compatibility with products already on the market, such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g products. The Wi-Fi Alliance observed this backward compatibility problem with early IEEE 802.11g products having poor backward compatibility with IEEE 802.11b products.
Will IEEE 802.11n products be backward compatible with legacy 802.11a, b and g products?
Yes. This is a requirement specified in the Project Authorization Request (PAR) that provides guidance for development of the IEEE 802.11n standard.
Can 802.11n products cause interoperability issues for IEEE 802.11a/b/g products?
No. As stated above, 802.11n must be backward compatible. The 11n specification will provide strict guidance on interoperability with legacy a/b/g products. Products built to the 802.11n standard will be specified to not impact the interoperability performance of 802.11a/b/g products.
Can products that were built based on the draft IEEE 802.11n standard be "upgraded" to be compliant with the final IEEE 802.11n standard when it is finalized?
At this time it is not clear whether this would be possible.
SOURCE: Wi-Fi Alliance
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"Wireless technology can be used in heritage buildings without affecting the interior aesthetics and the architectural and structural features of buildings,"
-Shridhar Kadam,
VP, Product Engineering, D-Link
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The 802.11n standard is expected to double the 54Mbps data rate supported by 802.11g or 802.11a. 802.11n, and is an extension to the 802.11g standard that in the future will increase the speed to more than 100 Mbps. 802.11n will also offer a better operating distance than current networks (See Box IEEE 802.11n FAQ). However, 802.11n WLAN is unlikely to reach users before 2007, as this standard is also not approved yet. Moreover, the industry too is divided on the specifics of the standard.
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"Wireless networks make it possible to speed business processes and improve service, reach new markets, and improve overall productivity"
-Parag Arora,
business development manager, Cisco Systems
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802.11e as of July 2005 is a draft standard that defines a set of Quality of Service enhancements for LAN applications, in particular the 802.11 Wi-Fi standard. The standard is considered of critical importance for delay-sensitive applications, such as Voice over Wireless IP and Streaming Multimedia.
Benefits of Going Wireless
Convenience and control to users in terms of an enhanced ability to access networks from anywhere they want, increased workforce productivity and efficiency, cost savings on wiring and easy moves, adds or changes in the network are the key benefits that wireless offers to businesses. Talking about the benefits of going wireless, Parag Arora, business development manager, Cisco Systems, says that wireless networks make it possible to speed business processes and improve service, reach new markets, and improve overall productivity-all while reducing IT and administrative costs. Arora cites a 2003 study of companies in the United States conducted by NOP World Technology, which found that wireless LANs raised employee productivity by up to 27% and saved up to 90 minutes of time per employee per workday. The employees' time saved had an annual dollar value of almost $14,000 per employee. "In an era in which instant access to information is a common expectation, network connectivity needs to be available wherever required-be it indoors, outdoors, or in vehicles. Organizations of all sizes-and in a wide range of industries-are implementing wireless LANs to provide this access," Arora points out.
| Beyond Internet and Mail Access: Some Applications of WLAN |
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Guest Networking: Companies can set up a public network to provide access to suppliers, contractors, and customers
Asset Tracking: Location-based services can streamline the tracking of warehouse inventory or medical devices in a hospital, helping to eliminate excess, shortages, and delays
Voice over Wireless LANs: Workers use cordless handsets and unified messaging as they move around in a company facility
Outdoor Broadband: Airports and city sites allow employees and the public to access networks
Health Care: Hospitals use Wi-Fi networks to let physicians, nurses, and other caregivers access and record information in patient rooms, treatment areas, and elsewhere in and near the hospital
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Pointing out that going wireless does not just mean doing away with wires, Shridhar Kadam of D-Link says that wireless is all about convenience and control to users as it gives workers the liberty to access their work and network without being tied down to a desk.
"Now corporations, universities, hospitals, and other organizations are embracing wireless networking because it further improves productivity and lowers deployment costs. Wireless laptops, PDAs, Internet phones, and other mobile devices allow corporate users to roam within the office or around campus," he says. Kadam says that wireless is good for aesthetics of offices or buildings as well. "Wireless technology can be used in heritage buildings without affecting the interior aesthetics and the architectural and structural features of building," he says.
Arora emphasizes that one of the key factors that need to be kept in mind while deploying a wireless network is to ensure that the customers can take advantage of existing network infrastructure and securely extend access to employees whether they are at work, at home, or on the road. "Successfully implementing a secure enterprise mobility solution can help customers increase employee productivity, improve responsiveness to their end customers, and collaborate more efficiently and effectively to deliver integrated mobility solution for data, voice, and video that results in a lower total cost of ownership," Arora adds.
Arora believes that wireless is a great boon for small and medium businesses. "Like Internet, wireless too is a great equalizer and offers small and medium-sized businesses parity with the ability of larger organizations to access and process information. It can also provide a competitive advantage in even the unlikeliest of industries," he observes.
Ravi Shekhar Pandey
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