Actually, for wireless communications, there are only two kinds of technologies available, as far as I know.
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g) wireless networking
Bluetooth.
Intel's Centino chipset, incorporate Wi-Fi support. Others require a PCMCIA card with antenna. There are also external USB wireless adapters available (not to be confused with similar devices used for short-range Bluetooth Personal Area Networks). The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) tests 802.11b systems for interoperability and awards the Wi-Fi certification and logo:
[http://www.wi-fi.org/]
The two are not interoperable. Laptops are available with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in or as a purchase option. Both can be added later using a PCMCIA card or USB adaptor (although the latter can be problematic).
Wi-Fi for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN):
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) can be created using the cross-platform IEEE 802.11b or more recent 802.11g standards. 802.11b has a typical bandwidth of around 5Mbps (11Mbps maximum) while the backwards compatible 802.11g is potentially five times faster at about 22Mbps (54Mbps maximum). Unless transferring large files, 802.11b may be considered fast enough -- at 5Mbps it offers 10 times more bandwidth than a typical 512Kbps broadband connection. This operating speed falls off with distance. The normal maximum range of 150ft can be greatly extended using directional antenna.
Apple pioneered the 802.11b Wi-Fi standard with the original iBook back in 1999 and their AirPort system is now widely used. In January 2003 this was upgraded to 802.11g with Airport Extreme:
[http://www.apple.com/uk/airport/]
All modern Macs have built-in antennas and a slot for an AirPort card (now standard in PowerBooks). Most desktop PCs require a PCI card with antenna. Some PC laptops, most notably those using
IEEE 802.11 wireless networks have two modes of operation. In Ad-Hoc Mode, devices communicate directly with each other. This is sometimes referred to as peer-to-peer. In Infrastructure Mode, one or more access points communicate with each device and these devices do not communicate directly.
A single access point can in theory support upto 253 users (IP subnet limit). The practical number of computers per base station will depend on how many are used simultaneously and their network traffic.
Wireless networks are ideal for network gaming or roving Internet access around the office, home, or garden and have been described as a life changing technology. The technology has been widely adopted and many schools, businesses, hotels, coffee bars, and conference centres are now 'Wi-Fi enabled'.
Bluetooth for Personal Area Networks (PAN).
Bluetooth was developed to provide short-range wireless links with peripherals, PDAs and mobile phones. For a good overview see 'Wireless gets more personal':
[http://www.apple.com/uk/bluetooth/]
For more about 'How Bluetooth Works':
[http://www.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm]
Although Bluetooth can support Internet communication protocols (TCP/IP) it was never intended for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). For an analysis see 'Bluetooth no rival for wireless LANs':
[http://www.vnunet.com/analysis/1132444]
Quote: "The main reason why most IT managers reject Bluetooth as a WLAN technology is its low data rate. Each access point provides a bandwidth of just 721kbit/s, while 802.11b can reach speeds of 11Mbit/s, although 5.5Mbit/s is more usual.
[...snip...]
Range can also be a problem. The next generation of Bluetooth access points will be able to handle signals at up to 100 metres, but most Bluetooth clients will still have a maximum range of 10 metres. All 802.11b devices -- both access points and client devices -- can communicate over distances between 50 metres and 100 metres, depending on obstacles such as walls or ceilings that block a clear line of sight."
The most advanced Bluetooth implementation is to be found in Apple's Mac OS X system. All Macs come with a program to enable syncrohisation with mobile phones and PDAs called iSync:
[http://www.apple.com/uk/isync/]
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