Wireless networks have become the standard way to access the internet. Many people have switched from wired Ethernet connections to wireless connections, and most places offer wireless connectivity-including restaurants, coffee shops, and even public places like parks and libraries.
With the introduction of 5G technology, the latency of wireless networks is expected to decrease even more, making it an even better alternative to wired networks.
However, with the proliferation of wireless networks comes a new problem: security. How can you be sure that the person sitting next to you in the park is not hacking into your phone’s data connection? Or that the person at the next table in the restaurant is not stealing your passwords?
Furthermore, how can you ensure that only people who have permission get access to your network? How can you keep security breach on your network to a minimum? These are important questions to ask.
Use channel bonding
In order to use channel bonding, you need a wireless access point and client device that support channel bonding. Most newer devices do, but it is important to check before you try this method out.
Channel bonding uses two or more channels to transfer data. Most networks use only one channel, which gives one direction of transfer. By adding another channel, you can increase the total amount of data being transferred, thus increasing the speed of the network.
By having both the access point and devices with multiple antennas, you can create a network with up to four separate channels, all transferring data at the same time. This creates a very stable and fast wireless network!
While this seems like a great way to manage contention-based access on the network, it is not easily set up.
Use wider channels
The channel a wireless network operates on determines how many devices can access the network at one time. The wider the channel, the more devices that can access the network at one time.
Contention-based access networks use channels 1–11. These networks require all devices to be in the same channel in order to connect to the network. This creates a contention scenario where all of the devices are trying to connect at the same time on the same channel.
AD-Hoc networks use channels 1–6, while Infrastructure uses channels 6–11. These two configurations have different pros and cons, so it is important to know which one you need for your situation.
In Infrastructure mode, the device with the strongest signal is designated as the primary device and distributes information to other devices on the network. The other devices are referred to as secondary devices and receive information from the primary device.
Use 802.11ac
The fifth-generation Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ac, is the first version that is widely available. It is not yet universally supported, but its support is increasing every month as more devices come onto the market with 802.11ac support.
All iPhones since the iPhone 5c have had 802.11ac support, and so have some Android phones. Newer versions of both operating systems also support it.If you are purchasing a new device, then definitely look for 802.11ac support!
By default, wireless networks use what’s called contention-based access: When several devices try to send data at the same time, they must wait for each other before another can transmit. This keeps one device from monopolizing the channel and interfering with others’ transmissions.
Implement traffic shaping
Contention-based access occurs when a device must wait its turn to use the wireless network. This is typically done by limiting the bandwidth of the wireless network or by dividing the network into separate networks, each with their own access points.
Traffic shaping is a method used to manage contention-based access on a wireless network. Traffic shaping essentially controls the flow of data on the wireless network by slowing down data that may be coming in too fast.
If there are too many devices on the wireless network, traffic shaping can be used to decrease the volume of data coming in and going out of the network so that all of the devices have adequate bandwidth. It can also be used if one device is using up too much bandwidth and affecting others; traffic shaping can reduce that device’s bandwidth so that all devices have adequate access.
Although it can be useful, it is important to check your settings every once in a while to ensure that it is not being set too high or too low.
Convert to a contention-free network using wireless LANs (WLL)
When there is a high amount of contention on a wireless network, users experience decreased performance and reliability. You can manage this contention through the method used to manage access to the network.
Contention-free networks exist in several forms, the most common of which is wireless LANs (WLL). WLLs are networks with dedicated bandwidth, so there is no contention for resources.
You can either create your own WLL or purchase one from a provider. Creating your own requires significant investment, but it is also more flexible depending on what you need. Purchasing one from a provider is more affordable, but less customizable.
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