About Wireless / Networking

Gigabit Wi-Fi - Will '802.11ac' Be The Next Big Thing?

2009-12-31T01:37:47Z

IEEE has used up every individual letter for their 802.11 Wi-Fi standards family, so the new names use two. 802.11ac is the next generation of core Wi-Fi technology. If technology creators and industry firms have their way, 802.11ac will upgrade Wi-Fi to run at gigabit (more than 1 Gbps) speeds, among other improvements. It sounds really great. Just don't expect to see any 802.11ac retail hardware this year. Also, can we think of a better name? Something like Wi-Gi, perhaps?
→ More - 802.11ac Standard Will Bring Gigabit Speeds to WiFi

Gigabit Wi-Fi - Will '802.11ac' Be The Next Big Thing? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 01:37:47.

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iPhone Network Traffic Surging in the UK

2009-12-29T14:30:39Z

UK mobile telecommunications provider O2 has attributed a significant increase in its network load this year to smartphones, and the situation appears similar to that in the United States. Similar to AT&T in the U.S., O2 is the service provider for iPhone in the UK. As quoted in the Yorkshire Evening Post, data traffic from smartphones more than doubled in the UK during 2009 and created outages in London that prevented customers from making or taking calls. With demand certain to continue growing around the world, wireless providers must find ways to increase the bandwidth and efficiency of their networks. Can they do it fast enough?
→ See also - iPhone 3.0 Driving Increase of Wi-Fi Usage on Cell Phones
→ See also - Apple Sued Again for iPhone Internet Connection Speeds (March 2009)

Apple iPhone - Photo: Andreas Rentz / Getty Images

iPhone Network Traffic Surging in the UK originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 at 14:30:39.

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Ford SYNC Gets Wi-Fi in 2010 (Bring Your Own Modem)

2009-12-24T20:14:03Z

U.S. automaker Ford has announced plans to update its SYNC branded in-car technology platform with Wi-Fi support starting in 2010. Since its initial rollout in 2007, SYNC has allowed you to connect cell phones via Bluetooth and other digital music players via USB interfaces to an embedded computer running a modified form of Microsoft Windows. The system provides hands-free phone dialing, integration with the in-car sound system, and other helpful features mainly for drivers.

This promised SYNC upgrade will enable Ford automobiles as roaming wireless hotspots similar to a few other products already on the market. SYNC, however, does not lock you into any particular Internet subscription. Instead, auto owners can choose their own service plan and plug their aircard into the SYNC system. This feature makes sense for those families looking for a convenient way to share mobile Internet access among multiple devices while traveling by car.

→ More - Ford Plans Wi-Fi On Board
→ See also - POLL: Is In-Car Wi-Fi a Good Thing?

Ford SYNC In-Car Multimedia Connectivity System - Photo: Bryan Mitchell / Getty Images

Ford SYNC Gets Wi-Fi in 2010 (Bring Your Own Modem) originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 20:14:03.

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DISCUSS: Changing SSID on Windows Vista

2009-12-22T21:39:33Z

Changing the default SSID is a recommended practice for improving the security of wireless home networks. When doing this, the network name of all wireless computers must be set to match. The exact procedure to change an SSID, however, depend on the computer's operating system and software configuration. Follow along on our message board as we discuss this procedure (and what happens when it is not done successfully).
→ Discuss - Changing an SSID on Windows Vista
→ See also - Wireless Home Network Security Tips

DISCUSS: Changing SSID on Windows Vista originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 21:39:33.

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What is DIRECTV2PC?

2009-12-20T02:38:44Z

Recently I've been looking at linking a DirecTV digital video recorder (DVR) to my home network so that my family can watch some satellite television programs from our home computers. Part of the DirecTV networking solution is DIRECTV2PC - a free software application that you install on a PC to play back the video stream.

DirecTV actually provides you two downloads to help with setting up a PC for TV viewing. The DirecTV2PC Playback Advisor is a small utility that tests a PC's processing speed, graphics, memory, and network. Run this first to ensure the computer hardware can support video streaming. Then install DIRECTV2PC itself. This application assumes you already have your DVR connected to your home network. When you run the application, it automatically finds the DVR over the LAN and starts a video session.

Unfortunately, DIRECTV2PC only works on Microsoft Windows computers.

→ See also - How to Connect a PC to a Television

What is DIRECTV2PC? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 at 02:38:44.

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Free Wi-Fi Coming to McDonalds

2009-12-18T02:25:21Z

Although McDonalds' own Web site still doesn't mention it, the chain plans to make Wi-Fi free in its restaurants starting in January 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal. McDonald's started providing Wi-Fi service in the first few restaurants back in 2003, charging USD $4.95 per two-hour session. Since then the service has expanded to more than 10,000 restaurants, and the fee has reduced to $2.95. Some McDonalds' actually offer free Wi-Fi to customers already via temporary coupons. The change in January makes this service free automatically at all U.S. locations.

The change isn't too surprising given the continuing business trend to offer free public Wi-Fi as an enticement to visit retail stores. I'm curious, though: How many households that live near a McDonald's will try to piggyback on the free Internet access?

→ See also - Free Wi-Fi (Not Quite) Everywhere For the Holidays

Using Wi-Fi at McDonald's in 2003 - Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Free Wi-Fi Coming to McDonalds originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 02:25:21.

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How to Build an Intranet From Scratch

2009-12-16T22:12:09Z

Intranets
can be invaluable communication tools for computer-based workgroups in small businesses and larger ones alike. If they are not planned properly, however, an intranet network won't reach its potential. Consider starting small to produce an intranet with relatively few features at first, then grow it later based on feedback and experience. And watch your budget: many Intranet projects have strict financial constraints.

Follow these simple steps to build a new intranet: Read more...

How to Build an Intranet From Scratch originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 22:12:09.

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DISCUSS: How to Avoid Being Seen on a Home Network

2009-12-14T01:37:03Z

From CJS - "There are several computers in our home all on the same network. How do I stop all the other computers from seeing my computer? I don't want the kids or guests accessing my computer from the other computers if I should forget to turn it off." We have a few answers on our Message Board, but you should post your own suggestions there also.
→ Discuss - How to Avoid Being Seen on a Home Network

DISCUSS: How to Avoid Being Seen on a Home Network originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 01:37:03.

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Is Someone Logging Into Your Router Remotely?

2009-12-12T04:14:17Z

A reader contacted me this weekend with a question about unauthorized logins to their router. Most routers allow you to track the IP addresses of logins to the administrator console. According to this reader, an IP lookup traced the address back to a domain in China. The log in doesn't appear to be causing any damage and wouldn't be noticed unless the owner was actively looking for it.

It's good security practice to check your router regularly for hackers who may be breaking into it remotely. Others in the past have claimed seeing unauthorized logins to their routers, too, also allegedly from China. Have you? Post your comment here to discuss.

Is Someone Logging Into Your Router Remotely? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 04:14:17.

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How to Earn Millions from Wi-Fi

2009-12-10T00:39:52Z

The Sydney Morning Herald has put together an interesting piece detailing how Australia's top scientist earned millions from Wi-Fi. John O'Sullvan works in astronomy and physics but foresaw the potential of wireless computer networking and was able to apply his knowledge of radio communications to demonstrate some portions of what later became Wi-Fi.

To some, John's work is unfortunately better known from legal actions initiated by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The original litigation brought by CSIRO several years ago caused Buffalo Technology to halt sales of some of its routers and other Wi-Fi products for a lengthy period. These and related CSIRO claims that standard Wi-Fi technology infringes on its patents are generally settled now, involving large sums of money that attests to the importance of this pioneering work in wireless networking.

→ See also - Millions to Flow from CSIRO Wi-Fi Win (theaustralian.com.au)

The Dish Radio Telescope, CSIRO Australia - Photo: Ian Waldie / Getty Images

How to Earn Millions from Wi-Fi originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 00:39:52.

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