Implementations Of Wireless Networks In The Enterprise example essay topic

Worldwide are rolling out wireless technology. This has created a completely new dimension of computing and business practices that have propelled enterprises to new heights of service and flexibility. Along with these new opportunities and benefits, wireless networks come with their share of unique problems, enterprises must plan and implement an intelligent strategy for wireless networks or risk failure. It is essential for organizations to understand the wireless environment and implement world-class technology solutions that grow with the business. The enterprise of the future is one whose employees are free to perform their job functions from their workplace of choice! X whether from a stationary desk, or while on the move.

To improve workforce productivity, most enterprises will leverage wireless technologies to support a mobile environment. Mobile devices for personal use are very popular today, and this trend is carrying over to the enterprise. Within the next few years, all end-user connectivity should be wireless, meaning that every enterprise will operate in a hybrid! SS wired plus wireless!" environment. Today, the line between computing and telephony on handheld devices is rapidly blurring. Devices that combine the features of mobile phones and PDAs are already popular.

Eventually there will be one combined device we carry or wear! X where we do our scheduling, email, web surfing, videoconferencing, document management and take all of our business and personal calls. This would be a true all-round utility device. With data storage capabilities and network bandwidth steadily improving, it won! |t be long before we have the capabilities of today's high-end desktop computer available in a device that fits into a pocket. In some situations, enterprises are looking into integrating their telephone systems with wireless local area networks. Using technologies like voice-over IP (VoIP), these enterprises aim to reduce the costs associated with elaborate telephone cabling and further leverage the benefits of wireless networks.

One can only speculate the ramifications this convergence of devices and communication will have on the way we work and how enterprises will function. An inescapable trend for IT to address is the migration towards wireless networks for all end-user oriented computing. The future of the wireless enterprise management can be listed as follow: 1. Increased Productivity. The ability of employees to be mobile, yet connected to enterprise resources, gives them the opportunity to do their work more efficiently. 2.

Flexible Work Environment. Wireless environments provide the employee flexibility to work in whatever surroundings are convenient to accomplish the task at hand. 3. Real-Time Access. The timely delivery of information without the need to be connected through a wired network is important to support business decision-making activities. 4.

Less Physical Maintenance. Since there are no physical cables to maintain, it is easy to conduct configuration and repair operations on devices and other network components. When supported by the right management solution, this can raise the productivity of your network administration staff. Given the growing individual use of mobile devices, along with growing enterprise deployment of wireless networks and applications, it is important to understand the options available to leverage these networks in the enterprise.

Of course, there are already many situations where wireless networks are viable business solutions. For example: ! P A network administrator is troubleshooting a problem at a remote site when a critical system at a separate location goes down. A simple, but immediate configuration change is required, and he can! |t afford to wait until he returns to his desk.! P A salesperson needs to connect to vital information on the company's intranet from his PDA while waiting for a flight at an airport terminal.! P You are visiting a branch office and will be attending a series of different meetings during the course of the day.

You need to remain connected through email without having to log in and out with every room change. There are many other real life scenarios where wireless networks can be deployed to solve business problems. Enterprises that are serious about being market leaders will adopt and implement wireless networks to support the success of their employees. Many enterprises have enjoyed some early success deploying wireless systems. A key factor for success is to map any planned applications to the appropriate network implementation. There are three basic levels of wireless networks: !

P Wireless Personal Area Networks (WLAN). Serve a radius of ten to 50 feet. A specification called Blue tooth is the prevailing standard here. It facilitates wireless communication between devices like PDAs and printers, or perhaps wireless keyboards and PCs, and other such components that comprise a small network. Homes and small offices are the primary adopters of this technology.! P Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN).

Provide wireless access over a range of up to several hundred feet. I 's 2 802.11 b specification is the prevailing standard used by enterprises to implement WLANs today. Specifications like 802.11 a and 802.11 g, each addressing issues specific to their design, are also gaining popularity. In general, WLANs are sometimes referred to as 802.11 x networks.! P Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN). Extend the coverage of wireless access over large geographic areas.

This is done through wireless carriers (also known as wireless operators) like Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, AT&T, Cingular Wireless and others that operate in the United States, and international operators such as Vodafone in Germany and DoCoMo in Japan. The main communication standards used are based on CDMA One or GSM. Enterprises with highly mobile workforces are adopting this technology. Since wireless technology is still maturing, it takes special expertise to implement and support a wireless network.

In many cases, enterprises will adopt more than one of the above-mentioned wireless technologies to fully facilitate a wireless network that can be leveraged by their employees. Despite the prevalence of standards committees in the wireless industry, there is no single unifying standard. Some of the key criteria in choosing a wireless network specification include the number of devices in the wireless network, range of transmission, average size of data transfers, network speed, security measures and others. Issues like roaming within different WLAN networks, and moving between WLAN and WWAN environments also present challenging situations.

Firewall Wireless technology is constantly evolving. As the industry matures, we will see increasing implementations of wireless networks in the enterprise. It will allow the enterprise to manage the complexities that accompany the new technology for years to come.

Bibliography

1. i. org -Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 2.80211 b. weblogger. com / about ! SS What is I 802.11 b! V Online source 3 web -online source.