Conclusion

Some may argue that Morse code and the telegraph were the first technologies that transmitted data via the airwaves (dots and dashes versus ones and zeros). The ability to transmit data over the airwaves presents some exciting opportunities for business networks. Businesses worldwide have made the switch from wired to wireless in order to save money and increase employee productivity.

IEEE 802.11b is a subvariant of 802.11, which is a standard that digresses slightly from the OSI model in that it provides a standard for wireless data transmission. To do this, the standard defines the MAC and PHY layers of the OSI model for use of DSSS (for 802.11b). The MAC layer is responsible for managing data transfer from higher-level functions to PHY media. This standard details how data is modulated for transmission and correlated at the receiving end. The topology of wireless networks is fairly simple. In a BSS, an AP is connected to an existing LAN from which wireless stations can access the network. An ESS extends this topolgy to expand the network. Using an ad hoc topology, stations (PCs) can communicate directly with one another. Mobility measures permit wireless users to access the wireless network from any point on the network and maintain their connection regardless of where they roam on the network.