With increases in speed and security accompanied by lower hardware costs, both short and long range Point-to-Multi-Point wireless networks are proliferating at a blinding speed. The short range wireless networks (up to 100 meters) that are widely known as WiFi or 802.11 networks are commonly found in schools, offices, homes and “hot spots”, providing the convenience of broadband wireless access. Vista deploys larger scale Wi-Fi networks in locations such as schools, campuses, and offices.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance representing Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) devices that are based on the IEEE 802.11 standards, and this is why Wi-Fi is usually used synonymously with IEEE 802.11. The original goal of the non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance was to drive the adoption of a single worldwide standard for high-speed wireless local networking, and with this goal largely achieved the organization continues to promote interoperability of 802.11 wireless devices and grow the Wi-Fi market.

Wi-Fi networks provide the benefits of portable wireless communications, supporting uses such as:

• Enabling students to use their own laptops for network and Internet access at school
• Reducing Smartphone airtime bills by offloading data transactions onto Wi-Fi networks
• Reducing labour costs incurred with network changes by eliminating the need for cabling
• Providing a revenue stream for hotels and shopping malls

Access Points

Wireless communication devices that provide wireless connectivity to end user devices such as laptops are commonly referred to as Access Points. In its simplest form, a wireless network can be obtained by deploying a single appropriately configured Access Point (AP) that connects to a wired LAN. This is true of most home-based wireless networks, where a home owner installs and configures a wireless AP (usually a wireless router) that connects to the Internet via a cable or DSL modem, and provides wireless Internet connectivity to one or more end user devices such as home PC’s, printers, wireless PDA’s, Smartphones, or gaming systems.

Access Point technology has evolved enough that they now can support data transfer speeds that rival and exceed the performance of many wired networks. This means that the performance of wired networks is now available with the flexibility of wireless, and now supported with highly secure encryption algorithms to ensure that networks are secure.

AP’s are designed to comply to IEEE 802.11 standards to ensure that the hardware and software that they use will provide reliable performance and interoperability with endpoint (end user) devices such as laptop modems. Over time the standard evolves to introduce new capability and functionality to improve the experience of users. The latest standard version is 802.11n that specifies design requirements for higher data rates and increased resilience for communications in poorer radio environments.

IEEE 802.11n

The latest IEEE 802.11n standard took a substantial leap forward to provide end users with much higher wireless data rates. This was achieved by using Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna arrays and wider 40 MHz bandwidth channels in 802.11n compliant AP’s. MIMO technology allows an AP to increase data rates in both directions and increase the capability to mitigate problems of temporary signal blockage and interference due to signal reflections. Additionally, multiple antennas enable the use of two radios so that some manufacturers now produce 802.11n AP’s that support 2 simultaneous data streams. Also, MIMO with multiple external antennas enables antenna steering to optimize coverage where coverage is a challenge.

Previous to 802.11n the largest channel bandwidth was 20 MHz, so with a 40 MHz channel the data carrying capacity is increased substantially. Combined with MIMO technology, 40 MHz channels allow 802.11n compliant AP’s to more easily meet the coverage needs of an educational institution – this translates into fewer AP’s, lower cost, easier management, lower power consumption, and lower electricity bills.

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