network speed

How to boost your WiFi range

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 19:01:38 -0500

Getting the most out of your buck with wireless takes work and some creative ingenuity, but there are two specific tools that can help an organization wring the most benefit in casting a large WiFi range. The first is Hawking Technologies' High Gain USB Wireless-G Dish antenna which features a wireless WiFi network interface card (NIC) that attaches via a USB port. Thanks to its dish it can increase send and receive capability past that of a traditional pole antenna. While pretty simple to set up, making sure the antenna is placed in the best spot can take a little time.

The second solution for consideration is using Netgear's RangeMax 240 router and network cards which, while also easy to set up, requires a little more time to get everything working together. It will not only boost network speed but provide terrific range capabilities. The only big downside to the Netgear tool is that it's unlikely to operate with the soon-to-be approved 802.11n standard coming this year.

For more on expanding WiFi range:
- read this article at Mobile Pipeline

How 3G technology is boosting business efforts

Sun, 25 Sep 2005 20:01:38 -0400

American Republic Insurance is using 3G to boost sales staff efforts when on the road, H&R Block is using it to power customer kiosks and temporary offices used during tax season and a commercial vehicle dealer relies on it when other network options slow down. 3G is finding a home in more enterprises each day due to connectivity ability, ease of configuration, low cost and good network speed.

As one communications consultancy has discovered, the performance and network stability provided by 3G not only helps spur business development through better and faster network access, it could prove to be a viable alternative to building a WiFi network at headquarters. The technology is proving to be a valuable option while companies wait for WiMax to evolve, which industry experts note isn't going to happen overnight.

In the meantime 3G will likely become pervasive within a few short years due to all its benefits. Learn how companies are benefiting from 3G and why it may be the panacea your enterprise needs until wireless broadband arrives as a solid third option in wireless networking.

For more on 3G capabilities:
- read this article at InfoWorld

Editor's Corner

Sun, 18 Sep 2005 20:01:40 -0400

While all the industry hype makes it seem like wireless mobility has in nirvana, a new study indicates there are still many improvements to be made with mobile and wireless device use. Slow network connections and unsatisfactory browser experiences are are just two top issues cited by users who also say device personalization isn't what it should be.

But the most surprising result from the study is that email is not the mobile 'killer' application. It fell in third place with content taking first --news and knowledge were cited as the top user need. The study, Action Engine Worldwide Mobile Usability Study, reveals that ease of use is the top factor in buying a device, and that despite faster networking capabilities, over 30 percent aren't convinced network speed is worth using the device as a work tool.

The good news, which we all know from keeping on top of trends and product announcements, is that vendors are working double time to boost and improve wireless and mobile device technologies and applications. - Judy

Case Study: How to upgrade a 911 network with VoIP

Sun, 18 Sep 2005 20:01:36 -0400

When asked to describe his department's effort to upgrade an aging emergency 911 system, South Carolina's project leader, John Murray, says it has been like going from the days of the Wright brothers in aviation to achieving the speed of a Blackbird military plane. But to be sure it didn't happen as quick as the network speed capability. Initiated in 2000, the first few years involved building a business plan, finding and getting funding, developing a communications plan and getting the necessary sign offs and approvals on the agency and state level. A key element toward success, says Murray, was creating a public safety communications advisory committee featuring reps from police, fire and emergency organizations -- all involved in the planning process. All that early work paid off in the county being the first system in the nation to go with Voice over Internet Protocol on a 911 system. The network features fault tolerant servers on the hardware level and is using parallel operations during the switch from the old to the new technology. And the work is far from over -- the tech leader says he's got a year and half of work left to do.

For more on the 911 rollout:
- read this article from NetworkWorld