Wireless Mesh Network: Easing Deployment And Lowering Costs

In a wireless mesh network, most of the access points do not have a hard-wired connection to the Internet. This architecture varies from traditional wireless local area networks, or WLANs. In a typical WLAN, computer or PDA users connect wirelessly to the Internet through one of many network access points. Every access point on a WLAN must have a physical, wired connection to a network.

However, wireless mesh networks route traffic intelligently through a few, selected wired nodes. This architecture provides a major benefit for large-scale wireless applications. For example, a traditional wireless network deployed across many industrial process control locations would require hundreds or maybe thousands of nodes. Since each access point needs to be wired, the installation, cabling, maintenance and other requirements could be crippling for some applications.

On the other hand, a wireless mesh network can quickly and easily install the few needed access points. With the associated implementation costs slashed, these networks become an attractive option for numerous applications.

Best Suited Markets

Typically, wireless mesh networks are targeted for applications in large, open areas where network cabling doesnt exist and would be cost-prohibitive to install. These networks can be installed inside a facility or outdoors. The goal is to bring communication services to all locations.

Markets currently pursuing wireless mesh technologies include local governments that want to provide voice and data services to government agencies such as police, fire, medical and other employees. Universities also want to provide campus-wide coverage for students, faculty and administration. In addition, event venues benefit from this rapidly deployed technology.

In the private sector, large manufacturing operations find wireless mesh networks are viable alternatives to traditional WLANs. Extensive cabling is so costly and labor-intensive that many companies may not be able to afford a deployment if wireless mesh did not exist.

Planning and Implementation

The first step in planning for a wireless mesh installation is to carefully consider the environment. Many factors can impede the networks performance and degrade or block wireless signals. For example, in an outdoor application, building locations, trees, and any manmade or natural obstruction can negatively impact performance. Indoor environment performance might be affected by building construction and interference from microwave ovens and other electrical equipment.

Next, companies or public entities must determine how the network will be used. In other words, how many users are expected? What type of applications will they use? What bandwidth is required? Can sufficient security measures be put in place?

Finally, coverage issues and goals must be carefully evaluated. One of the major benefits of a industrial wireless network is the ability for access points to share information and strategically transport traffic. However, if traffic has to travel across a large number of access points before it reaches a wired connection, performance in the form of delays can result.

Redundancy must also be configured into the network. If one access point becomes inoperable, the network can still function without any glitches. Therefore, network designers must play a balancing act, in essence, to ensure the right levels of coverage and connections. In other words, a wireless mesh network can cover larger areas with fewer connections than traditional WLANs and at greatly reduced costs. However, an appropriate number of connections must be configured to ensure high performance levels.

Because of the potential benefits, wireless mesh networks continue to gain traction in public and private sector applications. Increased coverage, speed and reliability are positive features attracting many organizations. However, the real draw for wireless mesh networks is the ease of deployment and lower associated costs. This technology is perfectly suited to applications in which existing cabling doesnt exist and coverage must span a wide area.

Tips For Securing Your Home Wifi Network

As consumers upgrade their computers and laptops and are discovering the convenience of wireless computing, they may also be opening themselves up to attacks from random hackers. If you have a home network and it has wireless capabilities one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself, your computers and most importantly your data, is to secure your network. You may think you are doing a good thing leaving your wireless network open for your neighbors to use, but you may also be allowing people to use your network to download pirated music or movies (which you will be responsible for), send unsolicited commercial email (aka spam) or launch viruses.

Securing your network is fairly easy and can be done by just about anyone, even if you arent computer savvy. If you are using a laptop you may want to connect your computer via ethernet cable to your router, while you are making the configuration changes. The first thing you should do is log into your wireless router and change the administration password and username if possible. Leaving the default settings is like locking your door and hiding a key under the mat. Next you want to enable WEP (wireless equivalent privacy) security on your router. If your router has 128 bit encryption use it, its more secure than 40 bit encryption. If you have an older router you may only have 40 bit encryption, 40 bit encryption is better than no encryption so if thats all you have use it. You will need to enter the corresponding WEP encryption key on all of your computers that connect wirelessly. Reboot the router and verify you can still connect with the network cable removed. It would be easier to make all of the changes at once and the reboot, but if you make a mistake doing it step by step helps you find your mistakes easier.

The next step is changing the SSID (Service Set Identifier). The first thing you should do is change the name from its default setting. If your router lets you disable the SSID broadcast you should. Again make the corresponding changes on each of the computers that connect wirelessly and reboot the router. Once the router reboots make sure you can still connect to the network.

Your next step is to allow access via Mac addresses. Every computer has a unique Mac address that looks like 0A-3C-2A-55-E4-A0. Get all of the MAC addresses of all of the computers that connect wirelessly and restrict access on the router to only those Mac addresses. Reboot the router and verify you can still connect.

While these tips wont keep out sophisticated professional hackers they will keep out casual snoopers. Lastly on each computer make sure you are sharing only the folders that you want other people to be able to see.

How To Connect With Available Wireless Network

Wireless Network

Wireless is a computer network which is not connected by using cables or wire. Wireless Network is a method of connecting home, enterprise, telecommunication by avoiding the use of expensive installation of wires as a connection between various computers and equipment to create network. Wireless Network works wirelessly that mean it does not required any kind of wire for the transmission of its signals, it transmits its signals through air that’s the reason why it is termed as Wireless Network. Wireless telecommunications networks and other networks are general transmits its signals using radio waves. There are different types of Wireless Network such as Wireless PAN (personal area network), Wireless LAN (local area network), Wireless WAN (wide area network), Wireless MAN (metropolitan area network), Wireless mesh network etc. Even the mobile device network is also a type of wireless network which uses mobile signal to connect with different users. While using computers sometimes we find it difficult to get connections even at the presence of Wireless Network.

Steps to connect with available Wireless Network

Step1

Move your mouse and click on the start menu, then go for the control panel.

Step 2

When control panel window appears, it has number of icons, just navigate through it and double click on the Network Connections.

Step 3

Now Network Connections window appears in front of you. Right click on the desire Wireless Network Connection with which you want to get connected by identifying correct name of wireless network adapter and click on the view available wireless network.

Step 4

A new window appears with the list of available network. Select the desire wireless network with which you want to get connected, then click on connect option which is at the bottom right corner at the present window.

Step 5

If the network is a public wireless network or corporate network, they might ask you to download additional files that will allow your computer to connect to the desire network.

Step 6

If the desire or selected network is security enabled, then one of the following might occur while getting connection.

- If the network provide its network key automatically or system administrator (that mean network supports IEEE 802.1x), your system will automatically get to the desire network.

- If the network does not provide the key automatically, then you have to type in the key. If you do not have the key, then check with wireless router administrator or log in to wireless router management page to get the key.

Step 7

If above procedure is followed correctly your computer will get connected to the desired or selected Wireless Network with which you want to get.

Secure Your Network Backup Software With Encryption Technology

Using network backup software to protect data generated by computers, servers and other devices within your office network is a common phenomenon. This widely followed practice prevents data loss to a great extent on the event of a network crash or any other form of disaster that can lead to potential data damage. However use of cloud based network backup software poses certain security threats that must be wisely dealt with. Most importantly you need to make sure that your network backup software uses proper encryption technology. This is vital for safeguarding your valuable digital records and information as this should be clearly understood that mere firewalls and anti-virus are just not enough for data protection.


Network backup software with encryption technology

Today it has become mandatory for organizations to apply some kind of backup encryption technology to comply with security regulations. Although any kind of network backup encryption technology is pretty expensive and is complicated to use, it is definitely worth it. Most of the cloud service providers offer SAS 70 Type 2 encryption to back up data in order to avert any kind of unauthorized access and for safe storage of companys confidential information. But this will not suffice.If you are using cloud based network backup software you need to inquire your service provider about some important security aspects. Complete transparency with regard to the way your valuable data is being backed up helps plug any security loophole. A clear idea about the encryption tool that is being used to protect your data, the measures taken to ensure the security of web application will help you secure your IT service network and keep everything in check. In addition it is essential on your part to clarify about security assessments, vulnerability tests and other forms of analyses to keep your data security concerns at bay.


Network backup software providing encryption key management standard

Encryption key management always appears to be a concern for users, particularly those who use dissimilar and possibly incompatible encryption tools, resulting in numerous encryption keys. Hence leveraging network backup software with certain encryption key management standard that can simplify the process of administering encryption keys is highly desirable.


Network backup encryption cost

Most of the external backup encryption appliances cost a lost. But number of network backup software comes furnished with this functionality. And therefore you need not spend extra money on fortifying your backup environment. This kind of backup software is designed to facilitate compression and encryption of backup images to prevent any security breach.


Encryption is essential in wireless communication and collaboration. Data transfer via wireless circuits can be subject to unauthorized interception and therefore there is absolute requirement for network backup encryption to avoid such uncalled for incidents. The better the encryption technology the tougher it will be for any entity to access the data illegitimately. Network backup encryption might be an expensive and complex proposition; nevertheless it is indispensable for data protection. So get the protection that your business needs by deploying network backup solution that provides sophisticated encryption.

Network Computer Security Risks Faced By The Corporate Users

Network administrators are surrounded today with a growing list of security risks and analysts are faced with not just one crisis but more while accessing servers. Dealing with such security risks is an overwhelming job and everyday, as these risks multiply, they are affecting more and more corporate lives.

Cyber security still has to keep worms, Trojans and viruses at bay, provided by many hackers and cyber criminals over the years. Despite the threat of cyber-terrorism, employers, as well as employees who use instant messengers and those who download featured movies and other applications increase their risk of being attacked by viruses.

Here is the list of the risk factors involved which the network security company should guard themselves against:

1. Email attachments- when employees open attachments, especially unknown ones, they allow a worm or a virus to enter the corporate network. The latest worms can make their way into the system even without clicking a link to them.

2. Blended attacks- viruses and worms are becoming more and more complicated and a single virus or worm can attack more than one platform.

3. Downloading from websites- the employees frequently misuse the network access at their work place by downloading too many things like games, movies, music, etc. It creates a platform for the viruses to attack and they can use up most of the bandwidth.

4. By renaming documents- when an employee saves critical business information under a different file name, the monitoring software that regularly checks the emails leaving the company might fail to recognize the saved information under the different name.

5. Music and video browsers- these are browsers that automatically connect the user with the related websites without the users permission. If a music browser knows a users interest, it can automatically connect the user to the related sites and execute the applications that could put the networks at risk and potentially use a huge portion of the bandwidth.

There are other network security risks that can cause disastrous effects to the server and automatically damage a huge amount of online corporate functionalities. To prevent these damages, the employees and the employers need to avoid all of the risks associated with network security. The network security company, with the use of intrusion detection system (IDS) and intrusion prevention system (IPS) can ensure an effective network security for your organization so that you can perform effectively and safely.

Network security companies have a large number of dedicated security teams that can effectively install next generation firewalls that can protect your server from hackers and cyber criminals. Moreover, with the help of the expanded firewall protection, the server can then create a good network administration. To find the best network security company, you could search online for the one that best suits your needs and requirements.

Network Solutions: Provide The Solution To Run The Job Properly

Network Solutions: Provide The Solution To Run The Job Properly

Network solutions are involved watching for problems 24/7 with optimizing data flow and access in a complex and changing environment. Tools and services are as numerous and varied as the environments depending on the company needs. Network solutions are ensured the data protection and managed services and business IT support. With todays constantly evolving technology, its a struggle for small companies to keep with changes and manage all their computer hardware, software, infrastructure and tech support in house and office.

At network service solutions, various organization offers a wide variety of cost effective managed IT services to help small and mid size companies in Seattle, save more money, ensure security of their valuable information and increase productivity. The organizations of network solutions work with each of their clients individually to recognize needs and provide individualized strategy, implementation and IT support that improve the business technology performance and ensure business continuity. With experience in wide range of industries, the network solution organization offer the knowledgeable IT professionals, engineers and tech support staff members providing the help of anticipate and troubleshoot issues. Network solutions can help to minimize the companys IT budget, outsource IT functions and protect valuable business information.

Network solutions can be provide a secure way to shield the vital data from loss to hackers, employee theft, system failure and natural disasters. The data backup and recovery products of network service solutions include the protection from virus and illegal access using the newest technology, secure access to data using the dedicated servers, automated backup of company data during the day as well as everyday and monthly invoicing for data protection services with no extra expenses for hardware or software.

In the other side the managed services programs of network service solutions provide on demand help from professional Seattle based IT support team, low, fixed rates and simple monthly billing for all services, ongoing oversight of systems to anticipate and avoid problems, more time to focus on building profits. Network service solutions tech support specialists provide hourly support in the section of hardware installation and customization, network setup and execution, software application training and support and technical and help desk support. When technical difficulties start to hinder productivity or worse or threaten critical business data, the network solution experts can help to reduce the problem. Network solutions of web hosting solve the problem of website with file transfer protocol accounts and popular programming languages.

Setting Up A Secure Wireless Network

In many cases wireless network setup is a bit more complex than popping in the setup CD and following some simple instructions. Following the "easy" set up CD has proven to be perplexing and tricky for many people. It can be very costly if you need to count on somebody else to setup your wireless network on your behalf.


One thing about the CDs is though they appear to be simple to follow on the surface they do not always work. They also keep you isolated from any understanding of what's going on. It's easy to make a mistake without noticing it and if you do you might need outside help to fix it. This can be a pain.

I'm going to help you to understand what you are doing and why so you can setup any kind of wireless device on your own. I'm going to explain to you the way to set up a secure wireless network without using the installation CD that is provided with your router and without any of the fancy gadgets or push buttons designed to make setting up a wifi router easy. At the end of this article you will see a short series of videos which show how to do this.
Once you understand the basic principles involved you'll be able to set up not only routers, but any wifi device on the market. You'll be your own wireless networking wizard.

Three things you need to know before trying to setup a wi-fi network:

Your SSID - Service Set Identifier. This is a big sounding word which simply means the name of your wi-fi network. It is best to change this from the default and give it a name which means something for you yet means little to someone else.

Your Encryption Type - You need to understand the hierarchy of wifi security. The first and least effective form of wifi encryption is WEP or Wired Equivalent Privacy. As time went by and personal computers became faster WEP turned out to be much easier to crack. Something else was needed. WPA and WPA2 arrived on the scene next and are are generally way more sophisticated and hard to break into than WEP. WPA2 came out only a few short months after WPA. WPA2 uses an even more powerful form of security named AES. Some older os's and video games will only work with WEP. When you are able to you want to use WPA or WPA2. Many times you can choose WPA/WPA2 which allows you to use both types of security with the exact same security password. This can be a very popular option when setting up security on a wifi router.

Security Key - Also referred to as your "pass phrase". It is best to use the word "password" only if talking about the wireless router password. You use your wireless router username and password to log on to the router not connect with the wireless network. Unlike the router password, the security key is what you use to connect to your wifi network. You do not really pick what your WEP password is going to be. It's generated for you after typing in a password you come up with.. The result is a string of numbers of characters which is fairly difficult to remember. The next phase is keying in that string of characters and numbers in to all of your computers and devices. User-friendly this is not.. WPA and WPA2 don't generate hard to memorize hex numbers like WEP does.. Any word, group of words or sentences will do. The spaces between your words in your sentence count as characters. Pass phrases are case sensitive so if a letter is capitalized on the router it must also be capitalized on every one of your devices or it won't work.

OK while this is fresh in your thoughts we should put these new principles to use using a practical illustration. Don't forget to watch the video tutorials below for further clarification.

The next thing can be confusing occasionally, so bear with me while I walk-through the details.You need three pieces of information for you to access your routers web interface.

1. The wireless routers IP address.
2. The routers username and password.
3. Whether your pc is on the same network as the wireless router.

Wireless routers IP Address

Your routers Ip address is probably something similar to 192.168.1.2 or 0.1 or 2.1. The documentation that was included with the router usually supplies this. If you don't have the documentation simply do a search engine search for "router make and model default IP."


Logging On To The Router

The wireless routers username and password is usually along the lines of "admin" and "password". If nothing works try a search on Google like you did with the default IP address. If it's a second-hand wireless router you may need to hard reset it to get it back to it's default settings. You will want a paper clip or small pin to reset the router. Simply push some thing in the little hole in the back of the wireless router and hold it there for about 30 seconds with the wireless router still powered on. Once you release it the router will restart and return to it's factory default configuration settings and you will be able to use it's default password to log on.

Same Network?

If your computer is on exactly the same network as the routers IP address it is possible to connect. If their IP addresses are not on the very same network they will not connect in any way. Network devices must be on the very same network to communicate with each other unless of course they're using a special configured router to join their separate networks. When you know your routers default IP address just go to your computers command prompt and type in IPCONFIG. This should return your computers IP address. Videos on the webpage mentioned below demonstrate how to do this.

So if your computer or laptop is not on the very same network as the wireless router what should you do?

Simply connect one end of an ethernet cable to one of the four jacks at the back of you wireless router and the other to the network port in your Computer and reboot.

When the computer reboots it'll immediately acquire an Ip address from your routers built-in DHCP server that will allow you to communicate with the router.

Since all those things are dealt with you should be able to get connected to the router with no problem.To do this simply:

Open up IE, Firefox or what ever your preferred web browser might be and enter your wireless routers IP address. Hit enter and you will be prompted with a logon screen.
2. Type in the password to access the router.
3. Dig through the menus until you find the "Wireless Security" area of your router and type in what ever you like for your SSID and passphrase.

Good job You Just Set up Your Router!

As soon as you're done you only need to enter in the pass phrase you created into the wireless utilities in each of your network devices. Of the majority of devices it's a simple matter of finding your SSID, simply clicking on it and keying in in your pass phrase.

Now that you know the basic principles it is easy to set up a wireless network without any help and connect almost any wifi device to it. The key points described here are exactly the same for all wi-fi devices.