Mobile Devices Networks

Mobile networking devices

Mobile IT devices can use almost any wired and wireless networking technologies, as long as they are enabled to do so, either by in-built capability or via a network adapter. The options include:

• dial-up networking, via a modem or a mobile phone
• use of the global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS) and third-generation (3G) services offered by mobile networks
• cable connection to 'wired' local area networks (LANs) - Ethernet is the most popular wired LAN technology
• 'wireless LANs' within office buildings or public 'hot spots' such as internet cafes - wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) is the most popular wireless LAN technology
• Bluetooth or infra-red connection to another mobile device that offers one or more of the above connection capabilities
• extranets that can be accessed remotely, allowing mobile staff to use limited areas of your business' website and data
• use of 'smart phones' to facilitate instant email access

Uses

Sometimes you don't need networking capability on the move. It might be sufficient to download and upload the information required at the start and end of the day from the office computer system.

However, real-time communication with the office can be important in delivering business benefits, such as efficient use of staff time, improved customer service, and a greater range of products and services delivered. Examples include:

• making presentations to customers, and being able to download product information to their network during the visit
• quotations and interactive order processing
• checking stock levels via the office network
• interacting with colleagues while travelling - sending and receiving emails, collaborating on responses to tenders, delivering trip reports in a timely manner

Disadvantages

There can be issues with maintaining the security of devices and data - for example, these devices are easy to steal. It is also possible for data to be intercepted using some of these mobile technologies - such as Bluetooth and infrared. For more information on this see our guide on securing your wireless systems.

There are also other considerations. Infrared and Bluetooth both have connectivity limitations. Infrared requires line of sight that will not pass through walls or other obstacles, while Bluetooth will pass through walls but only up to a range of 100 metres. As a consequence, many phones and laptops do not have these capabilities.

Uses

Some examples of usage include cellular phones which are part of everyday wireless networks, allowing easy personal communications. Another example, Inter-continental network systems, use radio satellites to communicate across the world. Emergency services such as the police utilize wireless networks to communicate effectively as well. Individuals and businesses use wireless networks to send and share data rapidly, whether it be in a small office building or across the world.

General

In a general sense, wireless networks offer a vast variety of uses by both business and home users.

"Now, the industry accepts a handful of different wireless technologies. Each wireless technology is defined by a standard that describes unique functions at both the Physical and the Data Link layers of the OSI Model. These standards differ in their specified signaling methods, geographic ranges, and frequency usages, among other things. Such differences can make certain technologies better suited to home networks and others better suited to network larger organizations.

Performance

Each standard varies in geographical range, thus making one standard more ideal than the next depending on what it is one is trying to accomplish with a wireless network. The performance of wireless networks satisfies a variety of applications such as voice and video. The use of this technology also gives room for future expansions. As wireless networking has become commonplace, sophistication increased through configuration of network hardware and software.

Space

Space is another characteristic of wireless networking. Wireless networks offer many advantages when it comes to difficult-to-wire areas trying to communicate such as across a street or river, a warehouse on the other side of the premise or buildings that are physically separated but operate as one. Wireless networks allow for users to designate a certain space which the network will be able to communicate with other devices through that network. Space is also created in homes as a result of eliminating clutters of wiring. This techonology allows for an alternative to installing physical network mediums such as TPs, coaxes, or fiber-optics, which can also be expensive.

Home

For homeowners, wireless technology is an effective option as compared to ethernet for sharing printers, scanners, and high speed internet connections. WLANs help save from the cost of installation of cable mediums, save time from physical installation, and also creates mobility for devices connected to the network. Wireless networks are simple and require one single wireless access point connected directly to the Internet via a router.

Environmental concerns

Starting around 2009, there have been increased concerns about the safety of wireless communications, despite little evidence of health risks so far. The president of Lakehead University refused to agree to installation of a wireless network citing a California Public Utilities Commission study which said that the possible risk of tumors and other diseases due to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) needs to be further investigated.

Wireless access points are also often close to humans, but the drop off in power over distance is fast, following the inverse-square law.The HPA's position is that “...radio frequency (RF) exposures from WiFi are likely to be lower than those from mobile phones.” It also saw “...no reason why schools and others should not use WiFi equipment. In October 2007, the HPA launched a new “systematic” study into the effects of WiFi networks on behalf of the UK government, in order to calm fears that had appeared in the media in a recent period up to that time". Dr Michael Clark, of the HPA, says published research on mobile phones and masts does not add up to an indictment of WiFi.

Mobile Devices, and Network Nodes (EAM)

A software server is a commercial software environment, which contains a set of applications and which can be deployed to a hardware server. A hardware server is a device that serves data or other support to network devices and which usually has higher specifications than client devices. A workstation is a client machine to which an application or a server can be deployed. A mobile device is a portable client used remotely to access the network. Network nodes represent other type of network objects (routers, switches, firewalls, modems, printers, faxes, etc).

These objects can be created in the following diagrams:

• Technology infrastructure diagram (see Technology Layer Diagrams)

Example

In this example, the field workstation and smartphone connect via the web to the server, which is also connected to a network node of type printer:

• Creating a Software or Hardware Server, Workstation, Mobile Device, or Network Node
  You can create a server, workstation, mobile device or network node from the Toolbox, Browser, or Model menu.
• Software and Hardware Server, Workstation, Mobile Device, and Network Node Properties
  To view or edit a software or hardware server, workstation, mobile device, or network node's properties, double-click its diagram symbol or Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.
• Modeling Cluster Servers and Virtual Machines
  You can model complex machine-in-machine environments using the Type and Virtual properties.

Mobile Devices Networks Diagram