Home Quizz How to prepare? Basics
About us


1.11 Describe wireless principles

Nonoverlapping Wi-Fi Channels

Wi-Fi networks operate on specific frequency bands, primarily 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Each band is divided into multiple channels to reduce interference and improve network performance. In the 2.4 GHz band, there are 11 channels in the US, but only three of these channels (1, 6, and 11) are nonoverlapping. This means they don’t overlap in frequency, which minimizes interference and allows multiple Wi-Fi networks to operate more efficiently in the same area. The 5 GHz band has more channels and is less congested, offering more nonoverlapping channels compared to the 2.4 GHz band, which helps in reducing interference and improving overall network performance.

SSID

SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. It is essentially the name of a Wi-Fi network that devices use to identify and connect to it. When you scan for available Wi-Fi networks on your device, you see a list of SSIDs. Each SSID is unique to a particular network, which helps users to distinguish between different networks in the vicinity. For example, you might see SSIDs like "HomeNetwork" or "Office_WiFi" when you’re looking to connect. Configuring an SSID involves setting a name and can include options for network security settings.

RF (Radio Frequency)

Radio Frequency (RF) refers to the electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication. Wi-Fi utilizes RF to transmit data between devices and access points. These waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and operate within specific frequency bands like 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. RF signals can be affected by physical obstacles (walls, furniture) and interference from other electronic devices. Understanding RF behavior is crucial for optimizing network performance, as factors like signal strength and coverage area depend on how RF waves propagate and interact with the environment.

Encryption

Encryption in wireless networks is a security measure to protect data transmitted over Wi-Fi. It ensures that even if someone intercepts the wireless signal, they cannot easily access or understand the data. Common encryption protocols include WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), and WPA2/WPA3. WPA2 and WPA3 are the most secure options, using advanced encryption methods to safeguard data and authenticate users. Proper encryption helps in protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of data transmission.