By David Chavez

Wireless Laptops in Classrooms

Going Wireless!

If you've been in an airport, coffee shop, library or hotel recently, chances are you've been right in the middle of a wireless network. Many people also use wireless networking, also called WiFi or 802.11 networking, to connect their computers at home or work. Wireless networking is becoming so widespread that you can access the Internet just about anywhere at any time, without using wires.

What is Wireless? A wireless network

allows computers to share printer, files or an internet connection without any wires between them. Wireless networking hardware uses radio frequencies to transmit information to individual computers. Each computer requires a wireless adapter.

Types of Standards?

As with wireless adapters, many routers can use more than one 802.11 standard. 802.11b routers are slightly less expensive, but they're slower than 802.11a or 802.11g routers. Most people select the 802.11g option for its speed and reliability. Mimo technology uses multiple radios to create a robust signal that travels 4 times faster farther. Up to 12 times faster than Wireless G.

Required Equipment

If you already have several computers networked at school, you can create a wireless network using a wireless access point. You can connect the wireless access point to the closest internet drop. Students will be able to use the Internet. A wireless broadband router to connect the laptops. High speed Internet such as gigaman by sbc. Each laptop requires a notebook adapter or built in wireless connectivity.

Advantages of using Wireless

• Mobility

• Access to information anywhere

• Spaghetti free

• ROI – Return on investment

Network Security• WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy

• WPA – Wi –Fi Protected Access

Issues related to Wireless laptops.

• Laptop batteries only last about 1 year.

• Maintaining laptops is a big problem.

• Insufficient number of laptops to meet the needs of student population.

Cost:

• Mobile Cart Storage for laptops - $1,249.00

• Laptops - 25@1,000 25,000.00

• Access Point 1,000.00 $27,249.00

Purchasing Equipment

• E-Rate

• Grants

• Technology Funds

Resources:

• http://www.d-a-l.com/articles/library/94.html

• http://www.cisilion.com/wireless_advantages.htm

• http://www.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm