There are several standards being publicized for
wireless network (and wireless peripherals). One touts greater speed, a second claims greater security, and
the third is the good old standby. While we
still think wireless is a great idea we’ve seen too many problems with
wireless devices and wireless networks to recommend them just yet.
One immediately visible benefit to "wired" networks over wireless is
that wired networks are able to transmit information 2 to 10 times
faster across your network. 2 of the wireless standards allow for
transmission of data at 10 Mbps (megabits per second), one standard (not
the most accepted of the 3 current ones) allows for 54 Mbps transfers,
but it is fraught with security issues.
An attorney’s wireless access point (the piece that makes an individual
computer or a small group of computers in one part of an office talk to
network devices or the internet) stopped working.Yet the attorney’s
individual computer, which had its own wireless network card reported
that there WAS a network available to him. This was a confusing, mixed
message. We found that the network his PC was picking up was the
wireless network in the office next door to his.
What we learned from this: If you can even find OUT that there’s another
network around, you’re only one step away from being able to break into
that network.
If you can break into them, they can break into
you.
Right now, wireless network require a great deal more security than
wired networks do. It may seem like a savings to not run wire for your
network and to make a smaller investment in wireless technology.
Although we are certain that within a few years wireless networks will
probably be quite viable for small business occupying more than a single
room in your home, that day is not yet upon us. We’ll keep you posted.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to write to us.
