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Wireless System Architecture: How Wireless Works

  • Sample Chapter is provided courtesy of Cisco Press.
  • Date: Oct 15, 2004.

Contents

  1. Wireless Network System Components
  2. Network Architecture
  3. Information Signals
  4. Chapter Summary
  5. Chapter Review Questions

Chapter Description

Apart from transmitting the information over the air, wireless networks are very much like wired networks. However, that seemingly small difference can lead to some very large problems if you don't understand the nuances of this medium. Read this chapter to find out how wireless networks work, and why they need to be administered differently from traditional, wired networks.

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Chapter Review Questions

You can find the answers to the following questions in Appendix A, "Answers to Chapter Review Questions."

  1. Which wireless NIC form factors are best for small wireless computer devices?

  2. What are examples of elements that impair the propagation of wireless communications signals through the air medium?

  3. What is the primary purpose of a base station?

  4. What are common features of wireless middleware?

  5. On what layers of the OSI reference model do wireless networks operate?

  6. How is throughput different from data rate?

  7. True or false: A computer device stores data in analog form.

  8. A wireless NIC must convert the information into what type of signal before transmission through the air medium?

  9. Which medium access protocol is common with wireless networks?

  10. Explain how the ARQ form of error control works.

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