Sign in Subscribe

wifi basics tutorial

Last updated on 

**1. **Overview: Wi-Fi, short for Wireless Fidelity, is a technology that allows devices to exchange data wirelessly over a local area network (LAN). It uses radio waves to transmit and receive data between devices, such as computers, smartphones, and routers.

2. Frequency Bands:

  • Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The 2.4 GHz band has a longer range but is more susceptible to interference, while the 5 GHz band offers higher data rates with shorter range.

3. Radio Waves and Modulation:

  • Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data. The data is modulated onto these waves, altering their properties to represent the information being transmitted. Common modulation schemes include Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM).

4. Channels:

  • Each frequency band is divided into channels, which are specific frequencies within the band. In the 2.4 GHz band, there are 14 channels, but not all are available in every country due to regulatory differences. In the 5 GHz band, there are more channels, allowing for less interference.

5. Access Points (APs):

  • Access points are devices that facilitate wireless communication. They connect to a wired network and transmit data to and from Wi-Fi-enabled devices. In a home network, a Wi-Fi router often combines the functions of a router and an access point.

6. SSID (Service Set Identifier):

  • The SSID is the name of a Wi-Fi network. Devices use the SSID to identify and connect to the correct network. SSIDs are case-sensitive and are broadcast by access points to let devices discover and connect to the network.

7. Basic Service Set (BSS):

  • A BSS is the basic building block of a Wi-Fi network. It consists of one or more stations (devices) and an access point. In an infrastructure BSS, the access point coordinates communication between devices.

8. Wi-Fi Modes:

  • Wi-Fi devices can operate in different modes, such as infrastructure mode (connecting to a network through an access point) or ad-hoc mode (peer-to-peer connection between devices).

9. Security Protocols:

  • Wi-Fi networks use security protocols like WEP (Weak), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), and WPA2/WPA3 to encrypt data and secure the network from unauthorized access.

10. Data Transmission:

  • When devices communicate, they use a protocol like TCP/IP. Data is broken into packets, which are transmitted over the air. The receiving device reassembles the packets to reconstruct the original data.

11. Interference and Range:

  • Wi-Fi signals can be affected by interference from other electronic devices and physical obstructions. The range of a Wi-Fi network is influenced by factors like power, frequency, and environmental conditions.