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Networking Fundamentals
Maximum data rates can only be experienced under ideal conditions. For
best data rates, devices need to be in close proximity and in direct line of sight
with no partitions or other objects blocking the radio waves. Radio waves can
penetrate through solid objects such as wood or concrete but not through metallic
objects such as metal building walls, metallic fi le cabinets, or some types of
window tint that is derived from metallic substances.
New wireless device technologies are typically designed to be backward
compatible with other earlier wireless device technologies. As you can see in the
table, 802.11n is backward compatible with all earlier wireless standards.
Microsoft Windows XP was the fi rst operating system released by Microsoft
that came with generic drivers and applications to support and confi gure wireless
devices. Wireless device manufacturers almost always recommend using its
installation CD/DVD to install device drivers and applications before installing
the wireless device. Microsoft operating systems such as Windows Vista will
typically recognize a new device, such as a USB adapter, and automatically
confi gure the wireless device without the need of the manufacturer CD/DVD.
When installing a wireless router, it is best to install the router software before
connecting the wireless router.
Wireless routers typically provide both wireless connectivity and wired
connection ports. Look at the wireless router in following illustration.
The router comes with an electrical power converter that changes the 120
volts AC to a much lower 12 volts DC. This particular router comes with one
Ethernet cable to connect the router to the Internet modem or to a computer. The
next illustration shows a close-up of typical router connections.