Mobile Device Configuration

Wireless laptop users will require more bandwidth because they are running
full Internet applications on a more diverse platform. Mobile PDA
or PocketPC users will normally not require as much bandwidth, simply
because of the limitations of these devices in supporting rich multimedia
applications. However, while this may be the case for Palm-based applications,
PocketPC requires significantly greater bandwidth. PocketPC
computers have built-in multimedia players which consume as much
bandwidth as any laptop computer. In addition, PocketPC supports “virtual desktop” applications so that you can use the full functionality of a
PC. The richer your experience in connecting to your desktop computer,
the more bandwidth your PocketPC will require. As mobile devices
become more and more sophisticated, you can expect increased wireless
network congestion for even simple tasks.

Peer-to-peer configuration In a peer-to-peer environment, an access
point is no longer needed. In fact, all you need are two computers that
have wireless network interface cards. These two computers form an
independent peer-to-peer network so long as these two machines are
within range of each other. This type of network is set up so that each
computer only has access to the resources of the other machine; they do
not have direct access to the server through a central type of access point.

Working with numerous access points In large networking environments,
it is easy to see the limitations of using access points. As good
as these devices are, they have only a limited range. Whenever you are
trying to access network resources in a large production plant, it is far
too easy to move out of range of your WLAN.
One way to improve your reception (in specified coverage areas) is to
better position the access points in your company at greater heights so
that you can achieve superior reception capabilities. This is only possible
when you have a site survey to ensure that you have access points placed
in areas where you can be certain you have adequate coverage without
providing excessive coverage areas that hackers can easily exploit.
You can increase coverage areas by using multiple access points that
have overlapping coverage so that you can maintain wireless LAN coverage
throughout an entire area without moving out of signal range.
When you can allow your mobile clients to move easily from one
access point to another, this is called roaming; it is a very useful wireless
tool that enables you to provide seamless coverage completely transparent
to the client in much the same way as a cell phone does. The
main concern here, of course, is security. Increasing coverage places you
at risk for eavesdropping or hackers’ finding vulnerabilities in your network
to gain access without your knowledge.

Mobile Device Configuration

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