WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for MIcrowave Access).
WiMax vs. WiFi
WiMax is the set of standards (IEEE 802.16 standards group) referring to the internet access technology used versus modems and DSL. It reuses 802.3 Ethernet components, is similar to 802.11 and Ethernet technology and makes it easier to connect into Ethernet LANs.
The logical and physical topologies are a physical star and a logical bus. It includes a central AP to which computers direct their transmissions (star) and radio frequencies shared (bus) with the computers taking turns transmitting.
Media access is controlled access for WiMax (802.11 point coordination function or PCF).
There are two types: 802.16d and 802.16e.
802.16d uses antennas 12-18 inches in size and ideally transmits 70 Mbps for 30 miles but because of noisy radio frequency ranges is reduced to 2 Mbps and only 5 miles. The goal of this standard is wireless connection from one central access point to a set of fixed networks (office to a central office).
802.16e is access for mobile users and is in competition with outdoor Wi-Fi and cell phone technologies but is incompatible with both. It provides multiple channels with 28 Mbps for 6 miles to 2.5miles. Users would have to substitute 802.16e for their other laptop and phone chips and antennas or purchase add-on 802.16e NICs. (1)
In fact WiFi (technically standard 802.11) and WiMax (802.16) don't compete for broadband users or applications because WiFi is widely used and WiMax was designed for different situations but could become competitive. (2)
WiMAX can do far more than just developing wireless networks for high speed internet. It is also refer as Wireless broadband access, which can transfer not only data, but voice data, video data etc, and at much higher rates.
Wifi is for short range data transfer, which can be with in hundreds of meters range using non licensed spectrum and used in a certain area which may not be connected to internet; it can be used for file sharing only.
WiMax is designed for long distance coverage and it covers distance in kilometers, it uses licensed spectrum and unlicensed in a point-to-point connection to the internet. In WiMax there are multiple standards of 802.16 a, b etc, so they are used for different types of access from mobile connectivity to fixed location connections.
WiFi has introduced a quality of service similar to fixed Ethernet, where packets are priorities on their tags. This shows that quality of service (QoS) is relative to packet flow.
WiMax uses technology based on setting up connection between end users’ device and base station. Special algorithm is scheduled for specific connection and Quality of Services (QoS) parameters can be guaranteed for each flow,
WiFi is deployed much more than WiMax because of its ease of installation and cost effectiveness and is used with in the building or room for providing internet access by third party internet service providers and public places, hotels, coffee shops have installed WiFi access points providing high speed internet to their customers. (3)
Works Cited
(1) FitzGerald, Jerry and Alan Dennis. Business Data Communications and Networking. 2009. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030. P. 241-242.
(2) http://www.circleid.com/posts/92208_wimax_vs_wifi/
(3) http://www.wifinotes.com/wimax/wimax-vs-wifi.html
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