Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Holborow, and welcome to Computing.

I'm so pleased you've decided to join me for the lesson today.

In today's lesson, we're going to be exploring wireless networks and evaluating the suitability of wireless networks for different scenarios.

Welcome to today's lesson from the unit Network Fundamentals.

This lesson is called Wireless Networks, and by the end of today's lesson, you will be able to describe how wireless networks work and what advantages and drawbacks they have.

Shall we make a start? We will be exploring these keywords throughout today's lesson.

Let's take a look at them now.

Wireless local area network.

Wireless local area network, or WLAN: a network that connects devices wirelessly using radio waves within a limited area.

Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi: network protocols that allow devices to communicate over a local network using radio waves.

Bluetooth.

Bluetooth: a standard for wireless technology that is used for exchanging data over short distances.

Look out for these keywords throughout today's lesson.

Today's lesson is split into two parts.

We'll start by explaining wireless networks and Bluetooth, and then we'll move on to evaluate the suitability of wireless networks.

Let's make a start by explaining wireless networks and Bluetooth.

Wireless transmission media doesn't require a physical cable.

Wireless signals are sent through the air.

A wireless connection is often shown using a line of small dots or a wave symbol.

A typical wireless local area network or WLAN is based around a central communications device called a wireless access point or WAP.

The wireless access point will probably be part of the network access device, commonly referred to as the router, which is provided by your internet service provider or ISP.

In larger buildings, there will probably be several discreet wireless access points that allow a wider area to be covered.

Wireless networks are very convenient because users can move around with their devices.

However, they can be subject to interference from other wireless devices and some building materials can block radio waves.

Okay, time to check your understanding.

I have a true or false statement for you.

Wireless networks are never affected by interference from other wireless devices or building materials.

Is this true or false? Pause the video whilst you have a think.

That's right, well done.

It's false.

Wireless signals can be subject to interference from other devices, and radio waves can be blocked by certain building materials, which can affect connection quality.

So if you are in a building with lots of concrete and solid walls, the wireless network may not operate as well as you want it to.

To connect to a wireless network, you need to scan for networks within the range of your device.

A list of the names of wireless networks within the range will be displayed.

The range of typical wireless networks operating on the 2.

4 gigahertz band is around 50 metres indoors, but this will depend on the properties of the building, such as the wall thickness and building material.

When you have found the network you want to connect to, you will need to enter the password or key for the network.

When you use a key, the data that passes between a device and the wireless access point will be encrypted.

An open network is one that has been configured so that a password or key is not required.

Open networks are not secure because your data may not be encrypted.

You must make sure that any website you access uses the HTTPS protocol, which relies on encryption technology to secure connections.

Wi-Fi is a suite of protocols used for wireless transmission.

It uses radio frequencies to send signals.

Changes in radio frequency signify a 1 or a 0.

Wi-Fi signals can transmit data up to 50 metres.

Bluetooth is another form of wireless transmission media.

It also uses radio frequencies to transmit data.

However, it's got a shorter range, so Bluetooth signals can transmit data up to 10 metres.

Common uses of Bluetooth include: wireless headphones and speakers which may connect to your smartphone, sending files between devices, or keyboards, mice, and other accessories.

Okay, time to check your understanding.

I have a question for you.

What is the main security risk when connecting to a wireless network that does not require a password? Is it A: your device's battery will drain very quickly? B: any data that passes between your device and the network may not be encrypted? Or C: the network will be too slow for any online activity? Pause the video whilst you think about your answer.

Did you select B? Well done.

Any data that passes between your device and the network may not be encrypted if you connect to a wireless network that does not require a password.

Okay.

We are moving on to our first task of today's lesson.

For part one, explain what a wireless network is and describe two benefits and two drawbacks of using one.

For part two, explain the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as forms of wireless transmission, and give an example of a common use for Bluetooth.

Pause the video whilst you complete the task.

How did you get on with the task? Did you manage to answer both of the questions? Well done.

Let's look at a sample answer together.

So for part one, you were asked to explain what a wireless network is.

A wireless network uses signals sent through the air without requiring a physical cable to connect devices.

It typically operates around a central communications device called a wireless access point or WAP.

For part two, you were asked to explain the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as forms of wireless transmission, and to give an example of a common use for Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both forms of wireless transmission that use radio frequencies to send signals.

Wi-Fi is a suite of protocols typically used for wireless local area networks or WLANs and can transmit data up to 50 metres.

Bluetooth is used for shorter ranges, typically transmitting data up to 10 metres.

A common use for Bluetooth is connecting wireless headphones or speakers to a device.

Did you have some similar responses? Remember, if you want to pause the video here and add any detail to your answer, you can do that now.

Okay, so we've explained wireless networks and Bluetooth.

Let's now move on to evaluate the suitability of wireless networks.

Wireless networks are suitable in situations where flexibility and mobility are needed.

They are ideal for places where installing cables is difficult or expensive.

Wireless networks are suitable for homes, schools and workplaces.

They're good for mobile devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

For example, if you think about in a school, a teacher may want to move around and deliver lessons in different rooms. If they've got their school laptop which has a wireless connection, they can go into any classroom, connect to the internet and deliver their lesson.

Time to check your understanding.

I have a true false statement for you.

Wireless networks are ideal for places where installing physical cables would be difficult or expensive.

Is this statement true or false? Pause the video whilst you have a think.

That's right.

It's true.

Wireless connections provide a practical alternative in locations where running cables is impractical or too costly.

Let's have a look at some advantages of wireless networks.

They're easy to instal and there's no need to instal cables.

They're cost-effective in buildings where wiring would be expensive.

They allow flexible access.

Users can move around while staying connected, and they support many devices connecting to the same wireless access point.

Let's now have a look at some limitations which make wireless networks less suitable.

Signal strength may weaken with distance, walls or interference.

Slower speeds than wired connections, especially when we've got multiple users connecting to the network.

They may be less secure.

Wireless data can be intercepted if it's not properly protected or encrypted.

Unstable connection can happen if too many devices are connected at once.

Wireless networks are suitable in situations where flexibility and mobility are important, such as: a school where students move between classrooms with tablets, a coffee shop offering free Wi-Fi to customers, a home with multiple mobile devices and minimal wiring.

Wireless networks are unsuitable in situations such as: a data centre needing fast and secure connections.

A business transferring large files across a local network.

Environments with high interference, so for example, thick walls or other signals.

When deciding whether a wireless network is suitable, it's important to think about these things: The number of users.

More users on a wireless network can mean slower speeds.

The type of data.

Large files or video calls may need a stronger connection.

Security needs.

Wireless data needs to be encrypted and protected, so if your company or organisation are dealing with lots of secure information, a wireless network may not be suitable.

Budget.

Wireless networks can be cheaper than wired ones to instal.

And then lastly, the physical environment.

Thick walls or long distances can block signals, so may not be suitable for a wireless network.

Wireless technology is improving.

Newer versions of Wi-Fi like Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are faster and work better when lots of people are online at the same time.

Mesh networks use more than one router to spread the signal around the home or building, helping remove weak spots.

5G Mobile networks are fast enough that some people may use them instead of Wi-Fi.

Okay, time to check your understanding.

I have a question for you.

Which of these is an important factor for wireless network suitability? A: the brand of computers? B: the physical environment? Or C: the size of the monitor? Pause your video here whilst you think about your answer.

Did you spot it? Well done.

Yeah, of course, B is the correct answer.

The physical environment is an important factor for a wireless network suitability.

Okay, we are moving on to our next task of today's lesson, Task B.

Imagine you are helping a friend decide if a wireless network is suitable for their new small business.

Their business will involve employees making lots of video calls and sharing large design files.

What two key factors should your friend consider when making this decision? Pause the video whilst you think about your answer.

How did you get on? Did you manage to evaluate the suitability? Well done.

Let's have a look at a sample answer together.

When deciding if a wireless network is suitable for a small business, making lots of video calls and sharing large design files, you should consider: the type of data.

Video calls and large files need a strong, stable connection and high speeds.

Wireless speeds can be slower than wired, especially when many users are connected, which could cause problems. Number of users.

If many employees are making video calls and transferring large files at the same time, the wireless network could become very slow or unstable due to congestion.

There were lots of other correct answers you could have used here.

For example, security, budget for installation, physical environment of the office.

If you need to, you can pause the video here and add any extra detail to your answer.

Now, I'd like you to imagine you are helping a community centre decide if a wireless network is suitable for their main hall.

Many different people will use it for browsing the internet, video calls, and occasionally showing short videos.

What three key factors should they consider when making this decision? Pause the video whilst you complete the task.

Let's have a look at a sample answer for this scenario.

Number of users: Many different people will use it, so they need to ensure the wireless network can support a high number of simultaneous connections without slowing down too much.

Type of data: Video calls and streaming short videos requires a stable connection and a decent amount of speed.

They need to check if the wireless network can handle these data-intensive activities for multiple users.

Physical environment: The main hall might have walls or other structures that could interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.

They need to assess if the signal will be strong and stable enough throughout the entire hall.

Some other correct examples that you could have included here are security needs and budget.

Okay, now time for our last scenario.

Imagine you are helping to set up network connectivity for a pop-up outdoor event, like a small festival or market in a field.

What three key factors should you consider when deciding if a wireless network is suitable for this temporary situation? Pause the video whilst you complete the task.

How did you get on? Did you manage to think of some considerations? Well done.

Let's have a look at a sample answer together.

When deciding of a wireless network is suitable for a pop-up outdoor event in a field, you should consider: Ease and cost of installation: Installing physical cables in a temporary outdoor location would be very difficult and expensive.

Wireless would be much easier and more cost-effective to set up quickly.

Mobility and flexibility: Users will be moving around the field with their devices.

Wireless offers the necessary flexibility and mobility, allowing people to stay connected anywhere within range.

Physical environment: Although it's an open field, I would consider potential interference from other wireless devices and temporary structures.

Other correct examples could include the number of users and security needs.

Okay, we've come to the end of today's lesson, Wireless networks, and you've done a fantastic job, so, well done.

Let's summarise what we've learned in this lesson.

Wireless networks connect devices and transfer data without physical cables, typically using radio waves.

A wireless local area network or WLAN is a common type of wireless network, providing flexibility and mobility through technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

These networks can face limitations such as interference and potential security risks.

I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson and I hope you all join me again soon.

Bye.