Wireless Networking

Open Mobile Alliance (AMA)

www.openmobilealliance.org/

This is a worldwide organization devoted to promoting standardization of mobile devices and applications, which includes wireless networking. AMA works with other organizations to accomplish this effort. AMA also works to perform interoperability testing for hardware/software vendors .

In particular the WAP Forum falls under this organization. For more information about WAP, see Chapter 24, "Other Wireless Technologies." There is a link on this Web site for the WAP Forum, or you can use the following link to go directly to that Web site:

www.wapforum.org/what/technical.htm

The Wi-Fi Alliance

www.weca.net

The name of this organization has changed recently (which explains the "weca" portion of the URL listed here. However, if you are interested in 802.11 wireless standards, this is the site to visit. You'll learn how the name Wi-Fi was chosen , and find out about the many vendors that are part of this organization. The Wi-Fi Alliance conducts many events, from conferences to documentation. Perhaps the most important function is the testing of hardware from members to ensure interoperability so that if you purchase Wi-Fi devices from various vendors, you can be sure that they will work together. At this Web site you can find out which vendors and products have been certified.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is also involved in establishing public hot spots so that you can use your wireless computer or other device on a public network. You can use a locator service at this site to find hotels, airports, and other places where the service is offered .

The IEEE

www.ieee.org

The IEEE organization was mentioned earlier in this appendix. In addition to creating standards for wired networks, the IEEE has also been responsible for defining standards for wireless networks, under the IEEE 802.11 series of documents. For example, you can find online many of the recent standards for 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g, which are the predominant standards today for wireless networking products. When making purchases for products based on these standards, check to be sure that they are based on the IEEE standards. The Wi-Fi Alliance brand can also assist you in choosing products, because they test for interoperability between products that are based on these standards.