Wireless and Internet

Comets.com has been wired since 1995. In early 1999, we joined the AT&T Wireless Developer program, acquiring a series of CDPD wireless modems for testing. We are conducting research in the effective combination of wireless internet access and GPS geo-position information. We have currently left the AT&T Wireless Developer program in favor of Verizon's Wireless program. We are looking forward to the next generation of wireless (3G) connectivity, which will take a while before it's ready for prime time...

802.11b (WiFi)

(Two-minute presentation to NYSIA monthly meeting, June 10, 2002)

Useful links:

Netstumbler

WarDriving

GPSWorld

For 802.11b specifications, see IEEE, including Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption

Spectrum

OReilly

Matthew Gast on 802.11b Security Issues

New York's own Public-Access WiFi

Wireless is two-way radio. 802.11b runs at 2.4 Ghz; 802.11a runs at 5 Ghz.

For more information about our services, contact mailto:wireless@comets.com

To sign up for the NYSIA Wireless SIG e-mail broadcast (low volume), mailto:nysiawsig@comets.com

Hardware

We have experience with various wireless technologies, including WiFi (802.11b), and CDPD.

Hints and Kinks

Wireless is a technology which uses radio-frequency (RF) transmissions to connect a mobile unit with a base station. Most users today are familiar with cellular telephone technology. Many other devices use RF to establish connectivity, including wireless home networks (802.11a or b) cordless phones, and X10 wireless devices.

If you need to create a wireless phone extension for a modem, Bryan King bking@mad-techies.org] reports the following links may be helpful:


Digi Wireless Adapters
Proxim
Wireless Mountain Labs Unilink
B and B Serial RF Products