Cutting The Cord.

Wireless future is happening now

Sometimes it seems that an inordinate amount of time and space is spent in this column talking about networking. That's because of all the technology issues facing most nonprofits, networking represents a technology that can both provide tremendous benefits, as well as cause an equal amount of concern.

It is these concerns that usually keep many offices from adopting shared access technology. The problems of setting up the network, both administratively and physically, are perceived as difficult, if not impossible, for a non-technical administrator.

That's simply not the truth. Past columns have addressed some of these concerns, such as application and data security. Depending upon how sophisticated your office procedures, and network are, you may want to consider switching to a different operating system, such as Windows 2000 Professional, which has very sophisticated security and authorization capabilities built in.

For simpler networks, the networking capabilities that are already built into Windows 95/98/Me are probably all that you need. What's new, however, are lower-cost wireless networking adapters and access points.

Almost like cellular

Wireless networking has been around for years, and different approaches have been written about in past columns. What has changed recently, however, is the emergence of one particular standard, called 802.11b, which not only defines how office and home wireless networking protocols operate, but assures a large degree of compatibility between different vendors' hardware offerings. And that lets you shop around for a good value.

The 802.11b protocol, also sometimes called High-Rate, or Wi-Fi (after one of the compatibility testing groups), defines a radio frequency networking approach that operates in the same 2.4-GHz frequency band that long-range wireless portable telephones use. A technique called spread spectrum, or frequency hopping, changes the operating frequency many times a second, so that the wireless network does not remain on any particular frequency for more than a fraction of a second. This cuts down on data transfer problems due to interference with other devices, such as telephones.

The 802.11b specification calls for a data transfer rate of 11Mbps (megabits per second), or about the same speed at which the slower l0BaseT Ethernet wired networks operate. That speed is best case. If the distance is too great, or there are obstructions between different network workstations, the rate drops down to a slower speed, called the fall-back rate. The 802.11b fall-back rates are 5Mbps, 2Mbps, then 1Mbps.

The 802.11b specification also defines two different types of network organization, peer-to-peer and infrastructure.

A peer-to-peer network under the 802.11b protocol is a bit different than the standard definition, which is simply a network with no defined machine acting as a network server. Under the 802.11b protocol, a peer-to-peer network consists of only two network workstations (or possibly three, as you'll see a bit further on). This is the easiest type of wireless network to set up, but also obviously the most limited.

Also, with a peer-to-peer network, the distance between the two workstations is limited. Most vendors of 802.11b wireless networking equipment rate their network adapters as having a range of" up to" 160 feet or more. What they don't tell you is that at that distance, in a typical office, you'll be lucky to operate at the 1Mbps fall-back rate. The real working distance of an 802.11b network in most office environments is about 50 to 75 feet, maximum.

The second type of wireless network defined under 802.11b is. called an infrastructure network, and is the type of wireless network that most offices will incorporate.

In an infrastructure network, the wireless adapters are supplemented by a second piece of hardware, called an access point. An access point is also a wireless node, but it is usually attached either to the Ethernet hub of a wired Ethernet network, or to a personal computer (PC).

The access point works very much like the cell tower in a cellular telephone network. With your cell phone, as you move into range of a cell tower, your phone identifies itself to the tower, which then handles the calls as long as you are in range. As you move out of range of the tower, your call is handed off to the next tower.

The access points in an infrastructure network work exactly the same way. By placing an access point every 50 to 75 feet throughout your office, you guarantee that all of the wireless adapters are close enough to one so that they operate at the 11Mbps maximum speed of the network.

An added benefit, if you have any laptop users in your organization, is that with a PC Card 802.11b wireless adapter installed in their laptop, they can "roam" through out your office, and remain connected to your network as long as they are within operating range of an access point.

Lots of choices

The first 802.11b equipment started to hit the market last year. It was, however, very expensive. For example, the 3Com AirConnect Starter Kit, which offered an access point and two PC Card adapters cost about $1,500. If, as with most typical offices, you needed several access points, and a half-dozen PCI card wireless adapters (which listed for almost $250 each), putting up a wireless 802.11b network could command quite a price premium.

Fortunately, things have improved rapidly on the cost side of the equation. Two of the 802.11b wireless networks tested recently are designed specifically for the home or small office environment. This doesn't really affect usability, since they have the same range and other characteristics as the "expensive" models. They are simply more affordably priced, and even easier to install.

The NetBlaster II, from SOHOware, Inc., is a perfect example of an affordable 802.11b network. The access points connect to an Ethernet hub or high-speed DSL or cable Internet connection, and cost only $249. They are tiny enough to put almost anywhere, and with a notch on the rear, you can even hang the access point on the wall. PCI adapters, which fit in your desktop workstations, cost $199 each, while PC Card adapters for your laptops cost $149.

Similar equipment is available from U.S. Robotics. Formerly a division of network giant 3Com, the company was spun off last year, and now continues to make its trademark modems, adding wireless networking to the mix. U.S. Robotic's wireless access point is a bit more expensive than SOHOware's, at $399. But its wireless network adapters, at $189 for the PCI version and $149 for the PC Card version, are comparably priced.

Keep in mind, as you investigate the available options, that a totally wireless network may not be the best solution. In many offices, a hybrid network is the best solution. This uses wired Ethernet installed where running cables isn't a problem (such as along the baseboards), and wireless adapters between floors, or where pulling cable isn't practical.

Ted Needleman is the former associate publisher and editor-in-chief of Accounting Technology magazine. He is now a technology consultant and writer based in Stony Point, N.Y.