Wireless networks have become one of the most important elements of today. It is known to all, but only very few really know what they are and what is their operation? This is how these networks have become essential in the life of the human being, being used daily by most users.
In general, wireless networks were previously used only in military or scientific academies , but as time has passed their use has expanded reaching be used in shopping centers, industries, clinics, at home, work, among many other sites.
Due to the great amplitude that was achieved, they had to create different types of networks where each of them was adapted for a specific need. This is how here we will explain a little more about the WMAN network and its operation .
What is a WMAN network and what do they do in computing? span>
This type of network allows users to establish wireless connections between different locations within the same metropolitan area. They stand out for having a range of tens of kilometers Usually, connections can be established between a city’s office buildings or on university campuses.
One of its main advantages is that it does not require a high investment cost for what is its installation through copper or fiber cables , as well as the rent of the lines. In this way, WMAN usually uses infrared light or radio waves to transmit the data from point A to point B.
In this way, this type of network usually has a greater radius of action to WLAN networks, thus covering tens of kilometers for signal transmission , reaching be enough to cover a entire population .
In this way, WMAN mainly serves to interconnect WLAN networks with each other . In addition, it uses WiMAX technology where its use is increasing and reaching hard-to-reach areas or rural areas where Internet connections did not reach .
What are the main features of a WMAN network?
This type of network is mainly characterized by being the sum of many local area networks interconnected with each other. What is also known by many as a wireless local loop .
It has become a wireless communication standard that is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, being a protocol very similar to WiFi , but that has a greater coverage range and bandwidth.
With this in mind, here we show you the main features of this network:
- Your coverage may extend to a maximum of 50 km.
- Depending on the frequency range used for the transmission can be of radio or infrared waves .
- In the case of infrared they must be completely aligned on a surface, and they go from 300 GHz to 384 THz .
- It also has a communication system such as the LMDS “Local Multipoint Distribution Service”.
- Its technology is based on WiMAX “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access”.
- Serves to provide portable and mobile broadband connectivity, anywhere, anytime.
- Offers the possibility to access a wireless alternative to traditional wiring systems . This allows free broadband access.
WMAN vs MAN How do they differ and what is the best type of network ?
Wireless networks have become one of the most important factors today. That is why the creation of a large number of networks has been developed to carry out different functions and thus get better results and greater signal ranges. According to all this, here we go to explain the difference between a WMAN network and a MAN network .
Red WMAN
- The WMAN network or wireless Metropolitan network is a wireless version of MAN.
- It usually has a larger Range of tens of kilometers compared to MAN.
- Uses techniques that are based on the WiMAX communications standard.
- It is capable of providing data transmission in a whole population .
Red MAN
- The MAN network or Metropolitan Area Network has been designed to be used for data transmission in towns or cities .
- They have a smaller geographic range than wide area networks such as WMAN.
- They are characterized by having very good speed connections where they use fiber optic cables.
- It has a latency rate and errors much lower than WMAN networks.
- It is very stable and resistant to radio interference.
What are the topologies used for this type of wireless networks?
There are currently different types of topology in wireless networks , these being in different ways and each with a specific objective. In this way, the topology is responsible for describing the way in which the data is converted to a frame format and the way that the electrical pulses are transmitted through the media . Therefore, here we show you each of the most used topologies in networks.
Mesh Topology
Also known as the mesh network topology , where each of nodes is connected to all other nodes . This allows messages to be carried from one node to another by different paths and in a very simple way.
In the event that the mesh network is fully connected , it cannot have any communication interruption . This is because each server has its own connections to all other servers in the system.
Ring Topology
This ring network indicates that each of the stations has a single inbound and outbound connection. Therefore, each of these stations will have a receiver and a transmitter which also functions as translator , and in turn will pass the information to the next station.
In this case the communication is given by the passage of a token or witness , which can be defined as a kind of element that passes collecting all the information and then deliver it in packages This serves to prevent what is loss of information and collisions .
Double ring topology
The double ring topology is similar to the ring one, but it has the difference that it has a second ring that connects the same devices . That is, it allows to increase the flexibility and reliability of the network , where each of the network devices is part of two independent ring topologies.
Therefore, this topology acts as if they were two independent rings , but only one is used at a time.
Star topology
The star network indicates that the stations are connected directly to a central point of the system. Therefore, all existing communications have to go through it. In this case the devices are not connected to each other, does not allow much information traffic simultaneously, this with the aim of avoiding collisions.
Bus topology
This Bus network is characterized by having a single communication channel which is called bus, backbone or trunk and which connects to different devices. This means that all devices have to share the same channel to communicate with each other .
Tree Topology
Finally we find the tree topology , which indicates that the nodes are located in the form of a tree. This looks very similar to what is a series of interconnected star networks, but in this case they don’t have a central node . But if they have a trunk link node that is often occupied by a switch or hub , since the other nodes are branched.
Examples of wireless networks in the metropolitan area
Wireless networks are mainly characterized by operating as any form of established communication , either through the reciprocity of transmitters and receivers through a physical channel or through coordinated interaction .
Depending on the functionality of this elements the network performance will depend mainly. With this in mind, here are some examples of wireless metropolitan area networks .
LAN networks
- It is a computer network or computer network that are connected to each other using physical devices for sending and receiving information.
- It is a home network that anyone can install in their home to cover devices such as computers and phones mobile .
- It is also considered as an internal office network where this type of network is often implemented so that all workers’ computers are can communicate. This also allows them to have shared access to computers such as printers, share work folders among other elements.
- In almost every city in the world the They use to provide free Internet to the public. This is done through the points of wireless connections of little reach, usually, are usually not greater than 10 meters.
- They are also frequently used in small commercial stores, where they can provide Internet to their computers and customers arriving at the store.
WAN Networks
- National banking networks often use this type of network, since they can manage a very large network with connections to other banks, even if they are in the abroad.
- The Internet is another clear example of what these WAN networks are, which is capable of communicating technological devices that are over huge distances, even between different countries or continents.
- It is also used by military satellite networks , as it allows them to have a very wide communication to the which are added by satellites , ships, planes, national transport vehicles , among many others.
- The great business franchises in the world also use WAN networks. This allows you to keep your workers informed and communicated, being able to interc ambiate information and data between each of the branches.
MAN networks
- They are usually used by government institutions in each of the countries, it offers greater security which makes it ideal for to share private and large data importance . These are usually interconnected through a fiber optic that allows them to be on the other side of the city and not lose any information.
- Used mostly by companies that sell local Internet access , also known as ISP or Internet Service Provider. This service is offered through MAN networks which are responsible for managing each of the particular LAN networks.
- Nowadays it is also applied by a lot of businesses and stores that are interconnected in the same university city , and which in turn are separated by a wide distance.