By using a wireless network, you can share your Internet connection between computers that are not in the same room, without running wires from one room to another or from one end of the house to another.

Wireless Networking Flavors

• 802.11b – 11 Mbit/second, the original “consumer” wireless. This is the most common variety.
• 802.11a – 11 Mbit/second, but on a different frequency for better penetration of walls.
• 802.11g – 54 Mbit/second, compatible with 802.11b, but one person with a “b” card can slow entire network
• 802.11n - there is no such thing, yet, just drafts of the possible new standard

Wireless Networking - Distances

The nominal maximum distance for 802.11b (the 11 megabit/second version) is 100’ indoors. In practice, this is a function of where you place the router, how many walls & how much glass the signal has to go through, metal window frames and ductwork between the router and the wireless client and whether you’re using the default antennas or optional hi-power versions.

Read the rest of my Wireless Networking article.