About Me
MikroTik Certified Internetworking Engineer (MTCINE)
1 Introduction to Networking
1-1 Basic Networking Concepts
1-2 OSI Model
1-3 TCPIP Model
1-4 Network Devices
1-5 Network Topologies
2 MikroTik RouterOS Basics
2-1 Introduction to RouterOS
2-2 RouterOS Interface
2-3 Basic Configuration
2-4 User Management
2-5 System Logging
3 IP Addressing and Subnetting
3-1 IPv4 Addressing
3-2 Subnetting
3-3 IPv6 Addressing
3-4 IPv6 Subnetting
3-5 NAT and PAT
4 Routing
4-1 Static Routing
4-2 Dynamic Routing Protocols
4-3 OSPF
4-4 BGP
4-5 EIGRP
5 Wireless Networking
5-1 Wireless Basics
5-2 Wireless Security
5-3 Wireless Configuration
5-4 Wireless Bridging
5-5 Wireless Repeaters
6 VPN Technologies
6-1 VPN Basics
6-2 IPsec VPN
6-3 OpenVPN
6-4 L2TPPPTP
6-5 SSL VPN
7 Quality of Service (QoS)
7-1 QoS Basics
7-2 Traffic Shaping
7-3 Policing
7-4 Prioritization
7-5 Queue Types
8 Firewall and Security
8-1 Firewall Basics
8-2 Firewall Rules
8-3 NAT Rules
8-4 Filtering Rules
8-5 Hotspot and Captive Portal
9 Advanced Topics
9-1 VLANs
9-2 MPLS
9-3 High Availability
9-4 Load Balancing
9-5 Monitoring and Troubleshooting
5.1 Wireless Basics Explained

5.1 Wireless Basics Explained

Key Concepts

Wireless Standards

Wireless standards define the protocols and technologies used for wireless communication. Common standards include Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth, and Zigbee. Wi-Fi standards such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) specify the data rates, frequency bands, and modulation techniques used in wireless networks.

Example: Think of wireless standards as different languages spoken around the world. Just as people use different languages to communicate, devices use different wireless standards to transmit data.

Frequency Bands

Frequency bands are ranges of radio frequencies used for wireless communication. Common frequency bands include 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band offers better penetration through obstacles but is more prone to interference, while the 5 GHz band provides higher data rates but has shorter range and less penetration.

Example: Consider frequency bands as different lanes on a highway. The 2.4 GHz band is like a wide, busy lane with many cars (devices), while the 5 GHz band is like a narrower, less congested lane with fewer cars but higher speed limits.

Wireless Channels

Wireless channels are subdivisions of frequency bands used to transmit data. In the 2.4 GHz band, there are 14 channels, while in the 5 GHz band, there are many more channels. Choosing the right channel can minimize interference and improve network performance.

Example: Think of wireless channels as different radio stations. Just as you tune your radio to a specific station to listen to your favorite show, devices tune to specific channels to communicate without interference.

Transmission Power

Transmission power is the amount of energy a wireless device uses to transmit data. Higher transmission power increases the range of the signal but can also cause interference. Properly configuring transmission power is crucial for balancing coverage and performance.

Example: Consider transmission power as the volume of a speaker. Turning up the volume (transmission power) can make the sound (signal) reach further, but it can also cause noise (interference) if it's too loud.

Signal Strength and Quality

Signal strength refers to the power level of the wireless signal, typically measured in dBm. Signal quality, often represented as a percentage or a ratio, indicates how clear and reliable the signal is. Both signal strength and quality affect the performance and reliability of wireless networks.

Example: Think of signal strength as the brightness of a light bulb and signal quality as the clarity of the light. A bright light (strong signal) can illuminate a large area, but if the light is flickering (poor quality), it can be difficult to see clearly.

© 2024 Ahmed Baheeg Khorshid. All rights reserved.