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SECTION 1, OVERVIEW
Simple Home Network Diagram
Your wireless router serves as the centerpiece of your network,
allowing you to share files, printers, and the Internet connection. A
sample Local Area Network (LAN) is shown below:
The Internet communicates with the modem which in turn
communicates with the router. The router acts as the gateway to your
network, sending information to whichever device asks for
information, be it from requests for Internet access to file sharing to
multiplayer games. The router controls the information for your
network, intelligently routing the information to its required destination
while at the same time protecting your network from the public
domain.
Wireless Connections
Your wireless router uses a radio transmission technology defined by
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) called
802.11 Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi). This standard is subdivided into
distinct categories of speed and the frequency spectrum used,
designated by the lower case letter after the standard.
For example, your router supports both the ‘b’ and ‘g’ specifications.
The 802.11b specification transmits data rates up to 11 Mbps while
the 802.11g specification transmits data rates up to 54 Mbps. These
are theoretical standards so your performance may vary. The radio
waves radiate out in a donut-shaped pattern. The waves travel
through walls and floors, but transmission power and distance are
affected. The theoretical distance limit is 1,000 feet (305 meters), but
actual throughput and distance varies.
Both standards operate in the 2.4 GHz range, meaning other
electrical appliances also might interfere with the router – televisions,
radios, microwave ovens, or 2.4 GHz cordless telephones. Therefore,
positioning your router where it encounters the least interference
helps maintain a better connection.