WiFi is a wireless technology that caters for two types of network connection configurations. One is known as an “infrastructure” configuration and the other is known as an “ad-hoc” configuration. With an ad-hoc WiFi network, a connection can be made quickly without a central wireless router or access point. An ad-hoc wireless mode is usually preferred over an infrastructure wireless mode because it is easier to setup and get working. However, ad-hoc wireless networks have the following issues:
1. WiFi devices such as the iPod Touch that are configured to work with an Ad-hoc mode wireless network are less secure and susceptible to network hackers. Ad-hoc WiFi configured devices cannot disable the Service Set IDentifier (SSID) broadcast compared to an infrastructure mode configuration and hence can be easily identified by network hackers without your knowledge.
2. Ad-hoc mode WiFi signals can be less powerful than those generated with infrastructure mode wireless where full strength singles can be set up to provide a greater range. This means your are confined to a much smaller area where it could be too crowded with other people who are also using the network.
3. The WiFi networking standard for the ad-hoc mode of communication only supports up to 11Mbps of bandwidth which is slower than the infrastructure mode configuration that can transfer data up to 54Mbps. Slower bandwidths don’t work too when viewing video clips.
4. WiFi access points do not seamlessly deploy network encryption protocols to secure a wireless network. If it is required, it must be done as the network is enabled manually. This gives hackers a small but sufficient window of opportunity to do their little nasty tricks.
5. WiFi connections transmit data using the 2.4GHz wireless spectrum making it susceptible to interference from other devices such as Bluetooth enabled devices, cell phones, cordless phones, microwave ovens and other wireless devices that share a similar wireless spectrum and are in close vicinity. This type of interference can make the wireless connection unreliable and your iPod Touch experience an unhappy one.
6. Streaming high definition video and high quality audio cannot be played smoothly with an ad-hoc WiFi connection because of the slower data transfer rate especially if more and more people are accessing and sharing the same wireless access point.
The Good Side of WiFi
The iPod Touch has WiFi capability to allow you to connect to a wireless access point and to share an Internet connection within a close local area usually only 100 feet or 30 meters. A wireless access point broadcasting a WiFi signal can be picked up by an iPod Touch and would require a password if it is protected and locked. However, don’t expect a fast connection that allows you to watch and listen to videos! WiFi on the iPod Touch is fine for modest data needs and speeds such as news items, weather services, web searches, etc.
But the good thing about the WiFi enabled iPod Touch is that you can take it with you and visit stores such as Starbucks and McDonalds and enjoy a hot and smooth coffee while using their free WiFi Internet connection to catch up with the latest news, sports results, weather reports, and e-mails from your friends.
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