Networks — Question 8

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity. It uses radio waves to create a secure, reliable and fast Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). The devices require a wireless adapter to connect to the WLAN using WiFi. It is widely used to share an internet connection among the devices connected to the WLAN. Its advantages are:

1. It can be used to connect to Internet anywhere and anytime and is quickly replacing the wired medium.
2. It is relatively cheaper compared to the wired medium.
3. Multiple devices can be connect with WiFi to create a WLAN.

Its limitations are:

1. Higher power consumption.
2. Slower speeds than wired medium.
3. Transmission breaks or slows down when there is noise interference.

Modem

Modem stands for Modulation/Demodulation. Modulation is the process of converting digital signals to analog and Demodulation is the process of converting analog signals to digital i.e. reverse of Modulation. Thus, Modem helps in transmitting and receiving data between devices over a transmission medium like telephone lines, co-axial cables, radio waves, etc. Modem are of two types — internal or built-in modems and external modems.

Cluster Area Network

Cluster Area Network (CAN) also known as Campus Area Network, is a network comprising a series of small LANs over a small geographical area, such as a college campus, office building, etc. It is generally limited to an area between local area network and metropolitan area network.