Integrator Toolbox: More wireless on the way
<FONT SIZE=2>In a world filled with uncertainty, one thing seems to be a sure bet: 2003 will be the year of wireless networking in offices and campuses around the country.</FONT>
In a world filled with uncertainty, one thing seems to be a sure bet: 2003 will be the year of wireless networking in offices and campuses around the country.
Starting with the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard, also known as Wi-Fi, on-the-go and ad hoc wireless connections are popping up in public spaces, office complexes and enterprise campuses. Wireless connections and networks are being built with inexpensive gear compliant with Wi-Fi standards.
Dennis Eaton, chairman of the Wi-Fi Alliance and a strategic marketing manager for wireless radio chipmaker Intersil Corp. of Milpitas, Calif., said he expects a busy year.
"There's still a good market for Wi-Fi PC Card devices, and the USB radio market has grown significantly," he said.
According to Keith Waryas of market researcher International Data Corp. of Framingham, Mass., 2003 "could really be a pivotal year for 802.11, because we're going to see so many new standards in terms of technology for security, from authentication to encryption."
Security is a key issue for Wi-Fi makers and users, particularly government users.
To assuage such fears, the Wi-Fi Alliance is promoting the Wi-Fi Protected Access standard to replace the existing Wired Equivalent Privacy standard.
"The bar for security is always rising and the development of robust security solutions takes time," said Stuart Kerry, chairman of the IEEE 802.11 Standards Working Group for Wireless Local Area Networks. *
Mark Kellner is a free-lance technology writer in Marina Del Rey, Calif. E-mail him at mark@kellner2000.com.
Starting with the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard, also known as Wi-Fi, on-the-go and ad hoc wireless connections are popping up in public spaces, office complexes and enterprise campuses. Wireless connections and networks are being built with inexpensive gear compliant with Wi-Fi standards.
Dennis Eaton, chairman of the Wi-Fi Alliance and a strategic marketing manager for wireless radio chipmaker Intersil Corp. of Milpitas, Calif., said he expects a busy year.
"There's still a good market for Wi-Fi PC Card devices, and the USB radio market has grown significantly," he said.
According to Keith Waryas of market researcher International Data Corp. of Framingham, Mass., 2003 "could really be a pivotal year for 802.11, because we're going to see so many new standards in terms of technology for security, from authentication to encryption."
Security is a key issue for Wi-Fi makers and users, particularly government users.
To assuage such fears, the Wi-Fi Alliance is promoting the Wi-Fi Protected Access standard to replace the existing Wired Equivalent Privacy standard.
"The bar for security is always rising and the development of robust security solutions takes time," said Stuart Kerry, chairman of the IEEE 802.11 Standards Working Group for Wireless Local Area Networks. *
Mark Kellner is a free-lance technology writer in Marina Del Rey, Calif. E-mail him at mark@kellner2000.com.