Wireless and Mobile Computing - Research Paper Example

? WIRELESS AND MOBILE COMPUTING Introduction According to the work, Wireless and Mobile Computing by Turisco and Joanna, the term wireless is the term used in computer networking and data communication, to refer to the underlying computer technology, which supports data transport between the mobile device of computing, and the main system computer without the implementation of a wired connection. Additionally, Turisco and Joanna, internet refers to a global network which provides information access, as well applications, by use of a Web navigator or browser. Three Data transfer Options Turisco and Joanna reveal that, today’s market is features three commonly utilized method of data transfer; they include: i) Wireless Local Area Network (Wireless LAN) ii) Wireless Web or Wireless Internet iii) “Hot syncing” or Data syncing. Although this approach is referenced as a method of wireless data transfer, it is not ideally a wireless method. Data syncing uses docking stations or docking cradles, connected to a LAN in order to support data transfer between the device and the organization’s information system. Wireless LAN Matthew Gast, in his volume Wireless LAN, the term wireless LAN refers to a flexible communications and system of data communications, used, additionally, to or in place of a wired-oriented LAN. Turisco and Joanna, further, explain that, while featuring the Radio Frequency (RF) technology, the technology of wireless LANs receive and transmit data through the air. This approach minimizes the necessity of wired connections; the method, further, enables user mobility. Contrary to a number of other technologies, including as infrared, wireless LAN does not have to maintain the “line-of-sight” technology. Thus, the featured device can apply anywhere within the area of coverage. In a wireless LAN technology, the caregiver keys in data into a featured (handled) device including a Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), tablet, or laptop with a unique wireless LAN card. The card relays data in real time, by use of an antenna, using RF technology to a terminal of access, mainly connected to a wall or ceiling. For example, in a hospital setup, the terminal of access is connected to the LAN sends the requests for data or data received from the handheld information system to the information patient’s care information system. Additionally, data from the information system’s site can be relayed to the handheld system via the same technology. Wireless LAN’s indicate efficient application in the setting of a health care. Within the health care set up, the mobility area is confined within the organization or building; and the information necessary for system’s update can be immediately accessed. If the caregiver uses a relatively small handled device such as a PDA, such a small screen size suits the data viewing limitation, as well as the function of data collection. Tablets and laptops provide advanced capabilities of processing, more data storage, as well as larger display and thus users have access to entire records, as well as enjoy other privileges through the wireless connectivity. Wireless Internet A publication by Amjad Umar, Mobile Computing and Wireless Communications presents a discussion, that wireless internet (wireless Web) supports access data though mobile computing through the internet and particularly equipped handled devices. By using the latest PDA or a Web phone with the support of a micro browser, the user can, therefore, access display accessible data that can be accessed through the internet. From a technical explanation, the mobile device is connected to the systems cellular and thus can send requests to computer network (link) server. In this context, the server plays the role of a gateway, translating signals generated from the handheld devices into the signal language understandable by the Web, by use of an access as well as communication protocol. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) emerges the leading wireless communication protocol. Additionally, the server uses the internet to forward the request to a Website, including AOL, Yahoo or the information system’s site of an organization. Consequently, the Web site generates a response following to the request relayed over the Internet. The Web, therefore, forwards the information via the link server. The response is also translated generating a Wireless Markup Language (WML) and, therefore, it is viewable on a cell phone with a small screen. The translated response is thereafter relayed to the system cellular and eventually to the mobile computing device with the Web support. Examples of the present utilization of wireless Internet may include short mail access, quick look-up capacity (weather, stocks, flights, directions, restaurants, and movies), and retail transactions as well as alert messaging in the setup of health care. Wireless Internet is not widely used in some contexts such as the health care. Some pioneering Web sites have started piloting solutions aimed solely at emails reading, message alerting, as well as viewing patient data in a very limited support such as a notice of an admission. These users have realized that wireless Internet applies best in many settings; the mobile users’ access area is wide, often outside the traditional data and information delivery; and the necessity immediate information within the current settings. Data Synchronization “Data syncing” (Data synchronization) provides numerous benefits of the commonly known mobile computing. The approach saves on the cost that would be incurred through the wireless LAN equipment installation. Additionally, the fact that there is no need for Internet access cuts the costs. However, data synchronization has a major drawback, in that it has no provision for data access real time. Data synchronization is not classified as one of the methods used in wireless data transfer; relaying data between devices of mobile computation to the information system’s site, via a (syncing) docking cradle wired and the LAN. Data synchronization is usually grouped under “wireless”, assuming the general term’s reference, since the device of the user has a physical attachment with the LAN, but only, when data transmission has to be in batches. Many contributors such as Amjad and Umar have discussed that the distinction between the wireless LAN and wireless Internet will be blur as the existing limitations are overcome. This will be by supporting both the data access and voice communication via the same technology – this is industrially referred to as the “convergence” – this forms the progression of the future in the wireless technology. However, the solutions of data synchronizations are not to be attained soon, thus forming a logical entrance for mobile computing. There will be a low cost solution via the optimum use of wireless technology. Users can use the advanced wireless technology to perform immediate updating at no additional cost(s). Wireless devices have become more multifunctional and robust. For example, handheld devices can now implement speech (voice) recognition. Other recently come device capabilities include imaging, video conferencing, language translators, digital camera attachment, and location based services (the ability of a system to track the user’s location). Expectations are high, to see constant growth in device capabilities, wireless technology, and application development which takes advantage of wireless LAN and wireless Internet. On the business vendor side, the applications’ complexity supported by tablets, handheld PCs, and PDA s by use of wireless LAN as well as data synchronization technologies registers a constant increase. Browsers will continue to register a significant growth, supporting computation applications via the LAN technology, since this solution accomplishes the data access, data security requirements, and response time. According to the records of about eight years ago, wireless LAN transmits data at 7 Mbs versus the LAN’s 10 to 100 Mbps. Browsers are improved to ensure that data transfer between the application server and the handheld devices. Conclusion Wireless communication supports data transmission between the mobile device of computing, and the main system computer without the implementation of a wired connection. Wireless and mobile computing technologies are characterized by constant advancement, thus increasing the complexities, as well as on the number of applications. However, wireless connectivity has minimized the overdependence on wired connectedness technologies. Attesting to the volume Cisco Wireless LAN Security by Krishna Sankar, issues of security are also an element of interest in mobile and wireless connectivity, to avoid data intrusion, abstraction, malware, viruses, amongst other threats of system’s information. References: Arokiamary, V Jeyasri. Mobile Computing. Technical Publications Pune. 2008. Gast, Matthew. 802.11 Wireless Networks. Held, Gilbert. Securing Wireless LANs. John Wiley and Sons Canada Ltd. Sankar, Krishna. Cisco Wireless LAN Security. Talukder, K Asoke, Ahmen, Hasan and Yavagal, R Roopa. . Mobile Computing. Tata McGraw Hill. Umar, Amjad. Mobile Computing and Wireless Communications. 2004. “Wireless LANs almost ready for widespread adoption”. Information Week.com. Read More