Question

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

Discuss the wireless spectrum and how it relates to a wireless network. What frequency ranges, or bands, are associated with wi-fi use? How does wi-fi transmission differ from data transmission over a physical network? How might that difference affect data security over a wi-fi network?

Answer 1

Solution:-

Wireless Spectrum and how it relates to a wireless network.

In today's world all the wireless communication signals are travelling over radio frequencies, called as spectrum. From TV , radio , GPS , all wireless devices etc uses the signal that we cannot see with our naked eyes but are transmitting or receiving bits of data over the wireless network. A wireless network can be though of a network with no physical connection existence. Like you can thought of wireless mouse we use in laptops. To understand clearly let us consider radio, we all know that every radio station is transmitting its own channel on a particular frequency or spectrum. So to listen to what any of the radio channels are broadcasting at any time, we have to tune our radio to that spectrum in which that radio station is working. Point to note here is that different spectrum is been used by various radio stations so that there is no overlapping of the data between the stations. Also one can only catch a wireless network over a place where that spectrum is available. These spectrum are licensed and Federal Communication Commission keeps a track of who is using the spectrum. It also delivers the spectrum to be used for which purpose.

What frequency ranges, or bands, are associated with wi-fi use?

There are several frequency bands within the radio spectrum that are used for the Wi-Fi. Wireless channels are access mostly via IEEE 802.11 protocols under the Wi-Fi. This protocol provides several distinct radio frequency ranges for use in Wi-FI communications: 900 MHz 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5 GHz, 5.9 GHz and 60 GHz bands.

• 900MHz operate in sub-GigaHertz bands. These are unlicensed bands. Each region supports different sub-band depending upon starting frequency of sub-band it belongs to.
• 2.4 GHz frequency ranges from 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz. This is unlicensed and are used for many communications applications, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Microwave ovens also use this frequency.
• 3.6 GHz frequency ranges from 3.65 to 3.69 GHz. This range is under the licensed band.
• 4.9 GHz frequency supports a wide variety of broadband applications like Wireless LANS, mesh networks, Wi-fi hotspot, VOIP etc.
• 5 GHz frequency provides more spectrum. It encounters less interference. Wi-Fi routers support this band too.
• 5.9 Ghz frequency under DSRC (Dedicated short-range Communication) are medium range wireless communication channels. in 1999 Oct this band was to be used by intelligent transportation systems.
• 60GHz frequency is having a high throughput rates and is good for transferring huge data very quickly over a short distance.

How does wi-fi transmission differ from data transmission over a physical network?

• Wi-fi transmission is a way to get connectivity wirelessly over physical network, where physical medium is must.
• Wi-fi transmission are slower than physical network.
• Wi-fi transmission are more convenient as it does not restrict you to be still in once place.
• Wi-fi transmission is less secure as compared to physical network where devices are physically attached, and there is less chance of data loss or hacking due to availability of firewall. Wi-fi transmission must has to be encrypted via WPA2-PSK for security.
• Wi-fi transmission has more latency (delay in traffic when data travels from a source to its destination) as compared to physical network.
• Wi-fi transmission are only way of connecting in phones, tablets now a days.

How might that difference affect data security over a wi-fi network?

When we are comparing the wired with wireless network, it is must to secure the wireless because we are not acquiring any physical access to the network but are under a spectrum that can be access by anyone. So it is possible for someone who can easily eavesdrop on wireless network under the same spectrum and create trouble unnecessarily if it is not well secured.
To solve this one must encrypt the data, use web - filtering, use antivirus and always stay password protected with continuous monitoring on the traffic.