Working without wires

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What can wireless technology do for your organisation? There are times when trailing cables just isn’t practical but what are the advantages of going wireless and what do you need to worry about? Simon Davey investigates.

The potential of wireless

Wireless technology allows you to eliminate most of your cables. You can work from anywhere within range of the signal (great for working from different rooms at home or in the garden) or simply perching on someone else’s desk.

You can share signals across roads or even longer distances (see this month’s case studies for examples of what a laser link could do).

And you can work on the move if you can find the right ‘cloud’. Wireless is often the simplest way of connecting two computers.

A newer form of wireless technology (power line adapters) involves simply plugging your network cable into a specially adapted plug and sharing connections via the mains.

Great for small networks and those areas where dead zones (poor wireless signal) are a problem but costly if you need to link a lot of equipment.

Weaknesses and drawbacks

There are some drawbacks to wireless technology.

Compatibility
Not all wireless technology is the same. There are different standards and different kit. Choose carefully and get some advice.
Range
Walls and obstacles, even furniture can scupper your wireless connection but repeaters can help. You may also need to think about interference especially if others are using wireless networks nearby. If you do use them outside (even just across an open courtyard or pathway) you may need to think about the weather.
Security
Don’t let others access your system. When your connection isn’t hard wired, you would be surprised who can sniff out what. It’s illegal to use other people’s connections but more importantly you want your data secure. Security is getting easier but get proper advice. You could also be liable for what someone else does with your internet connection.

What you should think about

Standards
What standard should you use? There are four main ones (a, b, g and n) but equipment doesn’t always work well together. Some are more susceptible to interference (from bluetooth and mobile phones as well as other wireless networks) and range varies.
Security
Absolutely critical. An unsecured network not only lets people use your internet connection free (and for illicit purposes?) but also lets them access your data. See the Knowledgebase article below for details of how to secure things.
Costs
Is it worth it? What’s the cost advantage over a hard wired network (cable costs may be one, difficulty in physically drilling cabling routes another). Will the benefits outweigh the expenditure?
Connection speed – How fast is your connection speed?
Are incompatible network components slowing things down? Is your desk in exactly the wrong corner for getting a signal?

Remember you’re breaking the law if you use someone else’s wireless connection. You cannot just open your laptop and log on via any convenient passing signal without breaching the 1990 Computer Misuse Act and the 2003 Communications Act.

Why are you doing this?

Wireless is great for offices/buildings you can’t physically cable or when you need to be flexible around locating the internet connection. It’s helpful for roaming (e.g. moving a laptop around) and great for sharing a network between buildings. Whatever the case, you need to justify it.

What can wireless do for the community?

There are a few big wireless projects operating in the UK, providing much needed internet access in disadvantaged communities.

A couple of examples are Bristol Wireless www.bristolwireless.net (who now also provide internet access at festivals), featured in a case study and Community Connected, a Superhighways project providing free, fast internet access for two estates in Kingston.

Norwich council are building a free to access wi-fi network in the city and it’s already impacting on how people do business. The Cybermoor project in Alston Moor is one of the biggest rural broadband projects in England.

Health implications

What does wireless internet do for your health? A recent Panorama investigation expressed concern that the radiation involved was significantly more than that from mobile phone masts and might cause long term harm.

The jury is out (and most sites have levels well under recommended safety levels) but it may be a factor you want to consider in the long term.

How easy is it to get to grips with wireless networking?

Wireless networks aren’t necessarily for the faint-hearted but could benefit your organisation. You need to decide whether the advantages are worth it and what difference a lack of cables will make.

It may be your only option or a better option but never go wireless for the sake of it.

Case studies

Find out how Bristol Wireless help their local community with wireless technology

Two short case studies of how community organisations went wireless

ICT Development Services