Easing Network Traffic: Using Wi-Fi & WiMAX Wireless

The downside of a shared network is that when traffic increases, service levels drop (Bates, 2000). The new implementation of the “IEEE 802.16” standard, “WiMAX” provides metropolitan area network connectivity at speeds of up to 75 Mb/sec. WiMAX systems can be used to transmit signal as far as 30 miles (Intel, 2004). Today, Wireless network: “WI-FI” and “WiMAX” will soon become the epitome in corporate network expansion where wired LAN was impossible. The author compares the differences among these networks, the limitation of wired network and the extensibility that WI-FI and WIMAX can offer corporate network connectivity. The author then evaluates the potential utility each technique brings to an IT environment that demands high availability.