[Leica] Re: Wi-fi and Bluetooth

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

On Dec 12, 2006, at 6:37 PM, Monte wrote:

> I get Bluetooth, but
> what the hell is Wi-Fi 802.11g??  Thanks again for the help!


Wi-Fi is the generic name for the RF link between computers and a  
local area network (WLAN) router. Enough of the gobbledegook here.  
Your cable or DSL wideband iink to the internet terminates in a modem  
which separates the internet signal from the TV and/or phone signals.  
The modem, in turn, is attached to a router which usually offers both  
wired and wireless connection to the computer(s) at that location.  
The RF signal is at 2.4Gz, a band set aside by the FCC for a variety  
of uses including communication and (unfortunately) microwave ovens.  
The IEEE designation for one form of communication in this band is  
802.11. There are several flavors and speeds of devices operating  
under the 802.11 designation. The oldest and most common is 802.11b.  
This has a maximum throughput of about 11Mb/second but is usually  
slower. It is the kind implemented in first generation Wi-Fi systems  
including Apple's original Airport. It tends to have a relatively  
long range, up to 300 ft. without an external antenna. 802.11g is a  
faster implementation in the same band. It can speed up to 54Mb/sec.  
Newer computers are equipped with 802.11g cards. Apple's Airport  
Extreme is of this type. Both systems degrade gradually by slowing  
down if the range is too great or the signal is poor. The earlier  
system is compatible with the later system but only at the 11Mb  
speed. Because every 802.11 system can operate at the slower speed,  
that is the one used in Starbucks and most public places. Wi-Fi is  
still in development but the two described are the most used.

Bluetooth is a very low power short range system (about 30 ft.) which  
is intended to connect devices to a local computer without using a wire.

If you are connected to the internet by a wideband link, the fastest  
way to get signals to your computer is by a wire directly to the  
modem or router. Ethernet cables can handle over 100Mb/sec. And they  
are extremely cheap and reliable. Most modern computers, including  
all Apples, come with a built in ethernet capability. Wi-Fi is mostly  
for portability and convenience.

Larry Z