WiFi

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What is it?
Wi-Fi or WiFi was originally licensed by Wi-Fi Alliance. It represents the technology of wireless local area network (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11b standards. It uses radio waves to send information up to 11mb per second over a range of up to 300 feet. It was developed for the purpose of being able to be connected to the Internet even when you’re on the go such as using PDAs, laptops and even for local area networking. Recently Wifi is becoming more popular amongst services, games and different consumer electronics. Most WiFi users access the internet through home or work networks.

What WiFi is Used For
As long as a person is within access point, he/she is able to connect to the Internet via cell phones, personal digital assistance (PDAs) and play games with other gamers. In addition, there are over 24,000 WiFi Hot Spots worldwide in educational buildings, cafes, airports, and hotels. These places provide free access but some do charge a fee unless you have an account with them. Wiki allows peer-to-peer connections which enables devices to connect directly each other, such as when you play games with different players in your area.

Gaming with WiFi
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Certain game consoles or handheld game supports WiFi and allows better gaming experience so you won’t have to play against the computer. Here are some examples:
 * Nintendo DS & DS Lite has WiFi connection to allow people to play against players in the same room or across the country
 * Nintendo Wii supports WiFi through WiiConnect24 which allows you to connect to the Internet and download updates
 * Sony Playstation 3’s Playstation Network allows gamers to engage in online multi-player games
 * Sony PSP features WLAN which enables users to connect to hotspots
 * Xbox 360 uses a wireless network adapter to connect to the Internet and allow users to face other players

How WiFi Works
The main component required for WiFi to be operated is an access point. There should also be one or more clients using it. An access point is a device that connects wireless devices together to form a wireless network. The access point is usually connected to a wired network and can transmit data from wired to wireless devices. Usually a WEP key might be required or an SSID to be able to use Wifi.

An example of how WiFi works:

Advantages of Wi-Fi

 * Inexpensive and easy to set up
 * Allows LANs to be deployed without cabling, typically reducing the costs of network deployment and expansion. Spaces where cables cannot be run, such as outdoor areas and historical buildings, can host wireless LANs.
 * Wi-Fi silicon pricing continues to come down, making Wi-Fi a very economical networking option and driving inclusion of Wi-Fi in an ever-widening array of devices.
 * Wi-Fi products are widely available in the market. Different brands of access points and client network interfaces are interoperable at a basic level of service. Products designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED by the Wi-Fi Alliance are interoperable and include WPA2 security.
 * Wi-Fi networks support roaming, in which a mobile client station such as a laptop computer can move from one access point to another as the user moves around a building or area.
 * Wi-Fi is a global set of standards. Unlike cellular carriers, the same Wi-Fi client works in different countries around the world.
 * Widely available in more than 250,000 public hot spots and millions of homes and corporate and university campuses worldwide.
 * As of 2006, WPA and WPA2 encryption are not easily crackable if strong passwords are used
 * New protocols for Quality of Service (WMM) and power saving mechanisms (WMM Power Save) make Wi-Fi even more suitable for latency-sensitive applications (such as voice and video) and small form-factor devices.

Disadvantages of Wi-Fi

 * The range of WIFi connection might be limited
 * Security problem is an issue, if used in public your data might be accessible to others
 * Other people might unintentionally access your wireless network and might get charged for it
 * People will take advantage of your wireless connection if it’s unsecured
 * Wi-Fi can be interrupted by other devices, notably 2.4 GHz cordless phones and microwave ovens
 * Power consumption is fairly high compared to some other standards, making battery life and heat a concerns
 * Many 2.4 GHz [|802.11b] and [|802.11g] Access points default to the same channel, contributing to congestion on certain channels.