Chapter 1. Why Network Wirelessly?

In this chapter...

• What Is Wireless Networking?

• Benefits of Wireless Networking

• Wireless Speed in the Real World

• Sharing Your Broadband Modem

• Sharing Printers and CD and Hard Drives

Wireless networking is one of the fastest growing computer tasks todayand with good reason. Networking your computers with wireless equipment is simple and makes your equipment more useful and portable.

Even if you barely move your equipment across your desk, you'll see the benefits of a wireless network. You no longer have to pull cables or hunt under your desk, usually in an unlit area, trying to find the right ports and cables.

If your office uses a wireless network, creating one at home makes even more sense. Walk in the door, and you are instantly online and able to connect to your other computers and printersat home or at work.

And while it's true that wireless networking can be slightly more tricky to set up than other types of wired networks, we think you'll find it's worth the extra bit of time it takes. No other networking technology is so flexible and portable

Also exciting is the growth of public wireless access on the road. When you travel, you can connect to wireless networks at hotels, airport lounges, convention centers, and coffee shops , among other locations, and access a high-speed, wireless, connection to the Internet. More and more public access wireless networks are launched each day, and research firm IDC estimates the market will jump from $90 million in 2001 to $60 billion by 2006.