Why WiFi at Work—Posted on December 28, 2007
You’re probably familiar with WiFi, the wireless networking standard, from the numerous ‘hot spots’ springing up in towns and cities. Today though, the technology is expanding out of the coffee shops and airport lounges and into the office environment. The reasons for this are, as with most things in life, many and varied…
Flexibility and cost are a major factor. A wireless network allows you to provide networking services in places where there is limited access to the fixed network. Instead of densely running cables throughout your building, you can rely on wireless access points covering areas where there is either lower usage or fewer employees. It is also quick to update; rather than having to re-cable a building, base stations are easily installed.
The flexibility of wireless means employees do not have to be tied to their desks. Staff equipped with laptops can move around the office while retaining connectivity enabling increased flexibility in meetings, and the opportunity to ‘hot-desk’.
The use of WiFi at work though is not without its problems – not least the issue of security. Any signal which can be received inside your office is also likely to be received outside too; and you never know who might be listening in. To combat this, your network should be using WPA encryption rather than the older WEP standard, and have MAC filtering (allowing you to specify which MAC addresses – unique codes embedded in every networking interface – are able to connect to the network). Finally, change the password for your wireless network frequently.
WiFi is rarely a complete replacement for fixed networks. Gigabit Ethernet offers speeds of up to four times faster; and like any radio-based system, WiFi can be affected by interference (from atmospheric conditions or from poorly shielded electrical equipment). That said, the flexibility of wireless does make it an ideal complement to a fixed network infrastructure. This, combined with the advantages of offering the chance to implement new ways of working while reducing the need for excessive cabling, means that WiFi is something that every company should be investigating.
Though, you will have to find another excuse to enjoy a visit to the coffee shop.
Dan Cole – Head of Product Management