Laptops have entered the arena of computing in the twenty-first century and brought about a mammoth change in the outlook of all sectors that made use of computers for their working. For example, corporate organizations which used personal computers earlier now use laptops for mobile transactions and easier functioning.

A business delegate no longer needs to sit in front of his personal computer and waste his time. He can carry his laptop around with him and work as he travels. This way, laptops have brought about a new dimension to the outlook of Industrial Technology. Recently, laptops have also been introduced into more complicated setups like computer networks. This involves connecting a laptop to a home or office network for easier data transfer and synchronization. Most organizations operate using a network where many computers are connected together to co-ordinate and modularize work. In such a scenario it would be really helpful for a laptop to be connected to the network so that in an emergency, the laptop can just be taken around without any loss of data. More specifically, the possibility of making the connection a wireless one brings about a significant improvement in the advantages of using a laptop in a network.

Most laptops come with the provision of supporting a wireless network. The support needed for a wireless network is called a PCMCIA card or an access point that serves as a bridge between the laptop and the existing network. These components are simple to understand and can be easily installed by the user himself. Once the PCMCIA card or the access point has been installed, the laptop can be taken anywhere within the range of the access point and still remain connected to the wired local network. If the local network is connected to a WAN like the Internet, then the laptop too, can enjoy all the features of the Internet and behave as though it were connected to the WAN itself.

The advantage of having such a wireless connection can be realized only by experiencing the comforts it offers. For example, a wireless laptop connected at home allows the user to roam all around the house carrying the laptop in his hand, without breaking connection with the network. In the office, one can work at his desk, then carry the laptop to the dining area and work over lunch without forsaking the network connection. These connections are achieved by low power radio signals which are the basis for the wireless network connections. You can find out more about gaming and wireless networking at http://www.topgaminglaptop.com

The wireless setup is achieved by installing a Proxim Skyline 802.11b network card to the laptop. A Proxim Skyline 802.11b Wireless Broadband Gateway is also connected to the existing wired Ethernet LAN as a bridge. Using this setup, the notebook i.e. laptop can be moved anywhere within range of the network card while maintaining connection with the local area network. Another component here is the access point. An access point is basically a radio receiver and transmitter that is connected to a wired network. They are independent of the operating systems and work perfectly with all versions be it Windows or Linux or MacOS.
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Technology that evolved in the 90's is bringing two important changes that will reshape the existing network computing into what is becoming known as Mobile Computing.

Mobile computing is the concept of being able to connect to friend's family and the office at any-time and any place and having full access to information and resources. If you were to consider the Web as today's biggest, distributed information system it would be only natural to add mobility to the web. Over the last several years lot of research and developments has taken place to provide for a "mobile web". Mobile computing is one of the hottest development fields today. This has become apparent with the boom in the smartphone industry with developments like the I-Phone and the N95. Mobile computing is not totally new and has been around for quite some time now and has been accessed through the smaller PC's and PDA's For many years now.

It has not been until recently the full power of the internet has been available in a mobile format though. Today you have many options for connecting and accessing information through the internet or even through your own unique network configurations. You now can truly be connected where ever and when ever you need to have instant information. Mobile computing is no longer a "scaled-down" version of the networking capabilities.

As wireless communication continues to boom media and the mobility of computers will create new problems in networking, operating systems, and information systems. Both hardware and software will be going through some rapid and amazing changes. Keeping up with the wants and needs of the Mobile computing population will keep this area of technology on its toes for years to come.

These technologies will dramatically changing our day-to-day lives, with the popularity of small devices such as (PDAs) personal digital assistants and the smartphone we now have the internet at our finger tips 24 hours a day.

Reducing the energy consumed in using these devices, will be and is currently being look at as the next big challenge. The need to extend the lifetime of the batteries that power them is one major concern and along with reducing their weight will be major design advancements in these systems. Mobile computing has increased from around 25% in 1998 to well over 65% in 2008 and the trend seems to be heading to even more growth over the next few years.
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When it comes to a wireless standard, the first thing we all look at is how fast will this baby run! And you know the trade-offs, you can spend a lot of money to get the fastest thing running, or you can back off a little and save a lot.

The good thing about wireless networks is that the price difference between wireless standards is almost gone. There are some things that could add up, but I will explain the difference and why you might want to go that route or not.

Now, let's get to the different wireless standards you can choose from.

1. 802.11b - 11Mbit at 2.GHz 2. 802.11a - 54Mbit as 5.0GHz 3. 802.11g - 54Mbit at 2.4GHz 4. Hybrid Systems

When you get ready to purchase your equipment, you will see a lot of systems saying that they are faster than these standards listed above. Most will say 108Mbit per second, some 125Mbit per second and a few even higher. To operate at these speeds usually requires you to only use their network cards to access their access points, some of them require a specific card from them to get that speed. If any other card connects, then they will drop back to the standard speed and you lose the extra speed you probably paid extra to get.

What Should You Get

I was purchasing equipment for a completely new wireless setup. We only had one older wireless computer and I replaced the card in it with a new one. I did purchase a system that advertised the 108Mbit speeds since I knew who was going to connect to it.

If you are building a new network setup, I suggest you purchase a system that will run faster than the standard, but only if you know who is connecting. If not, then get a system that runs on the 802.11g standard. The price is about the same as 802.11b but runs 5 times faster.
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QualNet v4.5 modeling and simulation software features Sensor Network Library supporting Zigbee standard at PHY and MAC layers. Urban Propagation features include suburban terrain and 3D visualization as well as outdoor urban path loss and urban/suburban foliage simulation. Also included are models for mesh networking, battery energy consumption, energy consumption control, IP over MPLS, and dead reckoning mobility.

Zigbee Capable, Enhanced Network Security, Parallel and Urban Enhancements, and Additional Models and Updates

LOS ANGELES, March 17 / / - Scalable Network Technologies, Inc. (SNT), the leader in wireless network evaluation, announced the release and availability of QualNet 4.5, the newest update to their flagship software product. QualNet is high-speed, high fidelity modeling and simulation software for predicting wireless, wired and mixed-platform network and networking device performance. Since introduction in 2000, QualNet has defined a new category of evaluation tool that meets the demand for real-time, real-network performance testing for today's sophisticated wireless networks. Customers include major aerospace and defense contractors, the US Department of Defense, mobile network operators, research agencies and universities.

Enhancements to QualNet 4.5 include a new sensor network library for Zigbee, new Information Assurance/Network Security Library, parallel updates, new models and updates to current models.

"As our customer base expands, we are seeing increasing demand for QualNet's ability to provide a perfect digital representation of network components," explains Dirk Eastman, SNT's Vice President of Sales. "When you run a network test with QualNet Developer 4.5, hardware, software and system users can't tell the difference between a real system component and its virtual replacement. This enables limitless opportunities to test and evaluate designs throughout the maturity/realism continuum. Customers are seeing benefits in training, design, and operations applications."
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Optimized for HSPA and EDGE/GPRS networks worldwide, the Ovation MC950D modem allows a computer to connect to 3G phone networks, supporting up to 7.2-Mbps downlink speeds and 2.1-Mbps uplink. Providing instant mobile broadband Internet access in a keychain-sized package, the modem features an integrated antenna, receiver and equalizer to improve performance in noisy mobile environments. Connection software is preinstalled on the device.--Novatel Wireless.
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SAN FRANCISCO -- The same forces slowing development of single- city wireless Internet networks using Wi-Fi technology are now overwhelming their super-sized counterparts that cover thousands of square miles and scores of municipalities.

A telling example can be found in Silicon Valley, where plans to provide free, high-speed wireless Internet access to 42 cities in an area of more than 1,500 square miles have come to a standstill, says the person in charge of the effort.

It was once thought that municipal Wi-Fi networks of all sizes could be supported through the sale of advertisements that appear during the free Internet sessions and the small fee paid by those who want a faster, ad-free Internet service.
However, many cities with their own wireless networks say there's been little demand for their premium services, plus technology issues have limited the networks' reach. And while businesses were willing to buy advertising on these single-city networks, they complain about receiving little returns on their investment.

Given that the regional networks share the same business model, doubts have spread. Businesses once willing to fully fund such projects have had a change of heart and want substantial help from other partners. Those trying to create regional wireless networks are being forced to rethink their options midstream.

In the case of the Silicon Valley Wi-Fi project, planners are contemplating asking cities to share the upfront costs. A worst- case possibility is scrapping the project altogether.
"We are working now in a new paradigm; we understand that," said Russell Hancock,chief executive of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, which vows to continue building the network despite the rising odds against it.

The trouble for regional wireless networks was foreshadowed about six months ago, when the business model behind city-wide networks began crumbling. EarthLink Inc. recently retrenched its plans to build wireless networks in a dozen more cities, and struggles have arisen in places like Minneapolis, where similar networks are already up and running.

Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, the nation's biggest proposed region-wide wireless network, was introduced about two years ago. Hancock said he once hoped to build a network by 2008 covering 1,500 square miles and encompassing 42 municipalities.

Under the present conditions, that's not going to happen, he said.

"Now, I just don't know," Hancock said.

Now it appears that backers International Business Machines Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. have had a change of heart, Hancock said. Both are supporting the region-wide effort with a commitment of up to $150 million for construction, but the two companies now want the municipalities involved to provide some kind of financial commitment to the networks, he said.

"They said, 'Look, we've changed our mind; we won't build it under these circumstances,'" Hancock said. "They completely want to go forward with the project, but not under this model."

Cisco spokesman Neil Wu Becker said, "We are definitely not removing ourselves from this project and remain committed to making it a success."

An IBM representative didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

Hancock's been on a road show of sorts to deliver his message to the heads of the 42 cities that want to be part of the Silicon Valley project. A wide array of options are now on the table -- from radically altering how the effort is funded to shelving it altogether, he said.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The same forces slowing development of single- city wireless Internet networks using Wi-Fi technology are now overwhelming their super-sized counterparts that cover thousands of square miles and scores of municipalities.

A telling example can be found in Silicon Valley, where plans to provide free, high-speed wireless Internet access to 42 cities in an area of more than 1,500 square miles have come to a standstill, says the person in charge of the effort.

It was once thought that municipal Wi-Fi networks of all sizes could be supported through the sale of advertisements that appear during the free Internet sessions and the small fee paid by those who want a faster, ad-free Internet service.
However, many cities with their own wireless networks say there's been little demand for their premium services, plus technology issues have limited the networks' reach. And while businesses were willing to buy advertising on these single-city networks, they complain about receiving little returns on their investment.

Given that the regional networks share the same business model, doubts have spread. Businesses once willing to fully fund such projects have had a change of heart and want substantial help from other partners. Those trying to create regional wireless networks are being forced to rethink their options midstream. "We are working now in a new paradigm; we understand that," said Russell Hancock,chief executive of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, which vows to continue building the network despite the rising odds against it.

The trouble for regional wireless networks was foreshadowed about six months ago, when the business model behind city-wide networks began crumbling. EarthLink Inc. recently retrenched its plans to build wireless networks in a dozen more cities, and struggles have arisen in places like Minneapolis, where similar networks are already up and running.

Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, the nation's biggest proposed region-wide wireless network, was introduced about two years ago. Hancock said he once hoped to build a network by 2008 covering 1,500 square miles and encompassing 42 municipalities.

Under the present conditions, that's not going to happen, he said.

"Now, I just don't know," Hancock said.

Now it appears that backers International Business Machines Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. have had a change of heart, Hancock said. Both are supporting the region-wide effort with a commitment of up to $150 million for construction, but the two companies now want the municipalities involved to provide some kind of financial commitment to the networks, he said.

"They said, 'Look, we've changed our mind; we won't build it under these circumstances,'" Hancock said. "They completely want to go forward with the project, but not under this model."

Cisco spokesman Neil Wu Becker said, "We are definitely not removing ourselves from this project and remain committed to making it a success."