Wireless Technology

Wi-Fi System

By Bulatova Elvina

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a new technology of data transfer that was invented by Vic Hayes in 1991 in Netherlands. It is used to create local wireless networks and it has different standards, advantages and disadvantages.

Wi-Fi system consists of minimum one access point and one client. Access point (“hot spot”) sends SSID (Service Set IDentifier, Network Name) with the speed no less than 1 Mbit/sec. to client whose laptop computer must have network adapter.

Wi-Fi has 3 the most widespread standards that are called 802.11a (it works on 5 gigahertz wave frequency), 802.11b and 802.11g (2.4gigahertz). 802.11a and 802.11b were mostly used in the end of 90s. Nowadays, the most popular standard is 802.11g because it is cheaper and has higher speed.

Wi-Fi system has many advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

1. It is cheaper than wire networks;

2. It can be used in places where creation of wire network is not possible (for example, in historical buildings);

3. Its work is based on roaming that allows client station moves from one place to another without gap of connection;

4. Wi-Fi can work in different parts of the world.

Disadvantages:

1. It demands much energy, as a result, it decrease life of battery and increase temperature of laptop;

2. It covers very small area: 90 meters outside and 45 meters inside;

3. Speed of access depends on quantity of users. The more users, the less speed ( by Sergei Katsovich, Director of Computer and Information Systems Center);

4. The most widespread standard of cipher is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) but it does not guarantee full security and can be very easy break opened.

Finally, Wi-Fi is a new information technology that has many standards and its own merits and demerits.

References:

Wikipedia, 2007. Wi-Fi. [online]. Available from: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi. [Accessed 18 March 2007].

Sergei Katsovich, Director of Computer and Information Systems Center of KIMEP, Interview

 

Wi-Fi in the world and in Kazakhstan

By Sarbalina Elmira

Wi-Fi system is developed in European countries, in Kazakhstan this system is just developing. Moreover, Wi-Fi system plays a big role in the USA. Nowadays, there are 4000 hot spots in the USA. ABI research during their survey discovered such results as:

Wi-Fi system is increased to 47% in the end of 2006.

Also, 74% spots are set up in North America and Europe.

In sum, there are 57,000 hot spots in Europe. (By author Evgeni Makarov)

Also, the system is developed in Russia, for example, campus of NNGU ( Nizhni Novgorod Government University) in Nizhni Novgorodis covered by Wi-Fi system. In Moscow, there are 200 hot spots , in Saint-Peterburg about 100. Furthermore, we can find 20 “hot spots” in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Using Wireless system is developing in every corner of the world, at every step. We can mention such examples of using Wi-Fi system all over the world as:

• In London wireless system is used in police office. Sergeant John Baldock set up Wi-Fi cameras in the Italian restaurant Rosticceria Rusticana which is situated in the district of London which is called Soho in order to catch sellers of drugs. In the end their goal was achieved. Moreover, in the next six month more than 50 Wi-Fi cameras will be set up in this city. (By author Emily Flynn)

• London Queen Court sentenced for a year a man whose name is Gregory Straszkiewicz who set up to the someone’s Wi-Fi system in order to use free Internet. (CNews.ru)

• In the capital of South Korea there are more than 400,000 users of Wi-Fi system.(By author B.J.Lee)

• As I mentioned before, Wi-Fi system is popular in the USA. Wi-Fi system is used by policemen in order to check bar codes of cars. In Las Vegas Wi-Fi technology is set up in the restaurants, cafes and many other places. ( By author Brad Stone)

• The most interesting fact that Papa in Vatican sends his propagation using wireless system and all people of the world who have access to Internet can watch and hearhim online (By author Barbie Nadeau).

In 2002 in Europe Wireless system was used by 154,000 users. Number of users who use Wi-Fi system has increased to 10,946,000 by 2007. Opportunity for using Wi-Fi system is increasing in each part of European countries. For instance, in Germany 2,408,000 people use Wi-Fi, in Britain this quantity is equal to 2,299,000.

Furthermore, in our country new information technologies also are moved and developed. For example, in Karaganda and Pavlodar, it has been opened the first “hot spots” which is located in Leningrad restaurant and Skif and Dilizhans bars.

• Wireless system is covered several restaurants, cafes in our countries. For example, Almaty is centre of new technologies where Wi-Fi system is also used in such entertainment places as:

• Palladium Jazz club, Exlibris, Irish Pub, Mad Murphy’s, Tinkoff, Cizano, Dublin, Grand Cafe, Glen Pub, Coffee-Toffee, IL Patio, Planeta Sushi, Americanski bar i Grill, Black and Brown cafe, Moka- Loka.

Finally, we hope that wireless system will cover all cities of Kazakhstan because it is only way that can lead our country to civilized society.

References:

Wikipedia,2007. Wi-Fi. [Online]. Available from: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi

[Accessed 18March,2007].

Wi-Fi System in KIMEP

By Bulatova Elvina

Wi-Fi techology becomes more and more popular and soon it will be installed in the Library of KIMEP. This fact compeled us to investigate conditions that exist and will be created in our institute in order to realize it. For this purpose we decided to interview Director of Computer and Information Systems Center Sergei Katsovich and ask 50 students several questions that are concerned Wi-Fi technology. As a result, it was found out much new interesting information.

It was confirmed by Sergei Katsovich that Wi-Fi system will be installed in public places of New Library and New Constructing Building and all required equipment has already been bought. Furthermore, it was discovered that KIMEP is not going to stop this process and in future Wi-Fi will cover all territory of institute but date of plant has not been determined yet. Moreover, access to Internet for KIMEP students will be absolutely free.

Nevertheless, Computer center does not have specialists who perfect know this system but IT specialists of KIMEP, as Director of Computer and Information System center said, work and play with it in order to fully investigate all its advantages and disadvantages.

Director told us that users of Wi-Fi must register their laptops and employees of Computer Center will explain them how to use it and this explanation will be useful because results of survey that we conducted among 50 students show us that in spite of 86% of respondents know what is Wi-Fi, more than 50% have not ever used it before and 72% do not know that this system will be installed in KIMEP.

Nevertheless, we can say that KIMEP has enough conditions for plant of Wi-Fi in KIMEP because 60% of all surveyed students have laptops and in spite of 83% of them bring computers no often than several times a month, 96% percent of these respondents are going to increase this quantity.

In general, KIMEP has enough conditions in order to install of Wi-Fi because many students have laptops and administration of institute do all in order to make it reality.

References:

Sergei Katsovich, Director of Computer and Information Systems Center of KIMEP, Interview

Survey of 50 KIMEP students

 

Advantages of WiMax over Wi-Fi.

By Sarbalina Elmira.

WiMax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) is used since the middle 90s. Wimax system has standard of IEEE 802.16 which is related to the technology of Wireless MAN. Standard IEEE 802.16 gives opportunity to cover territory over 50 kilometers. In some cases WiMax looks like Wi-Fi system but WiMax is more efficient. WiMax is well known in some countries as:

• Taiwan

• Korea

• USA

• Russia

Using WiMax in different countries:

• In Taiwan they plan to spend $1 milliard on mobile subscription arrangement of WiMax.

• Korea is going to set up WiMax in every car.

• The USA is going to set up WiMax in order to provide safety. Moreover, it will be used for video observation and to control expense of water.

• On the 11^th of May 2006 in Moscow (Russia) it was organized conference that is called “WiMax in the World and Russia”to provide and explain WiMax system. Moreover, WiMax companies can be found in such cities as Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Furthermore, in the World Wide Web everyone can visited WiMax forum that has been used for 3,5 years. At first time it consisted of 7 people and one office. Nowadays, this forum has 368 participants from 45 countries.

WiMax is used in several diapasons in different regions and countries:

1. In North America for WiMax system it isused such frequency ranges as 2.5 and 5 gigahertz.

2. In Central Asia and South America – 2.5 and 3.5 gigahertz.

3. In Africa and West and East Europe – 3.5 and 5 gigahertz.

4. In Asia – Pacific Ocean – 2.3 and 3.5 and 5 gigahertz.

Disadvantagesof WiMax are:

1. It cannot catch signal even if there exist some objects as trees, houses and mountains.

2. The cost of WiMax is the very expensive.

Nevertheless, the first problem was solved when in January 2003 it was invented such standart as 802.16a

Advantagesof WiMax over Wi-Fi are:

1. WiMax can cover territory over 50 kilometers;

2. It is safer than Wi-Fi;

3. It does not need so much energy;

4. It is used in medicine.

As I mentioned before, Russia tries to develop WiMax system. In order to realize it press conference was held on the 11^th and 12^thJuly 2006 in Nizhni Novgorod region. Itsgoal is to increase ability of using wireless system in the villages. A meeting was opened in the Krasnoe village of Arzamass district, Nizhni Novgorod region. In this village WiMax is used in Medicine. With the help of WiMax two hospitals are connected toeach other. First hospital is the regional hospital which is situated in the city, which is called “N.A Semashko”, and the second is the medical center of village. In the medical center of village are set up two WiMax cameras: first one is bounded to the doctor and second one is bounded to the patient. Consultations of patients with doctors will be watched by the regional hospital. This example can show that WiMax gives great opportunity for people.

In conclusion, WiMax is very useful. Let’s dive into stream of new information technologies!

References:

Wikipedia, 2007. WiMax. [Online]. Availabvle from: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX

(Accessed 20March, 2007).