Wireless adapters are technological devices that enable computers to communicate with the Internet and other computers without cables. They transmit data through radio waves to routers, then forward it to broadband modems or corporate networks.

Wireless adapters incorporate in most laptops and tablet computers. However, they must often be installed on desktop computers. The type of adapter you get must complement your needs. Before you install them on office desktops and set up a wireless network in your office.

Adapters are available in a wide range of forms

A wireless adapter must receive signals from within the computer, convert them to radio waves, and transmit them through an antenna. The electronic card for a desktop computer inserts into a PCI slot within the computer case. A USB port from the outside, or an Ethernet port through an Ethernet network connection.

The electronic card can be inserted into a PCMCIA slot or a tiny PCI port on a laptop that does not have a built-in adapter. The electronic card may insert into a memory card slot on tablets or laptops and does not have an adapter. The antennas on the desktop PCI cards extend out the rear of the machine. But the antennas on the other cards are housed within the card casings.

Security

Router adapters manufacturers have a range of roughly 200 feet and broadcast the signals from your computer. Your signal may be picked up and accessed by anybody with a wireless adapter installed on their PC or laptop. Securing your wireless network is particularly important for companies. It needs to secure sensitive information and intellectual property.

Router adapters online employ encryption to protect their communications from illegal access. The WEP, WPA, and WPA2 protocols provide password-protect and encrypt transmissions for wireless networks. Your adapter must support them, which most do.  The WEP protocol has various flaws, whereas the WPA2 protocol offers the best security.

Speeds

IEEE 802.11b, the oldest specification, specifies broadcast rates of up to 11Mbps. The latest model adapters transmit data at IEEE 802.11 grates of up to 54Mbps. Although the IEEE 802.11n protocol may potentially attain rates of 300Mbps. The adapters that use it are typically slower because of congesting radio channels and interference.

The draught 802.11ac standard will theoretically be able to achieve 1Gbps and will be fairly fast in practice. To avoid obsolescence, a company might acquire adapters and routers that comply with the 802.11ac standard.

Wireless Protocols
The radio waves utilized by wireless adapters must comply with one of the International Electrotechnical Commission. As of January 2013, the most recent standard in widespread usage is 802.11n. While older adapter models still utilize the "b" or "g" standards.

Conclusion
These standards, which all employ the 2.4GHz radio frequency spectrum, dictate the data transmission speed the adapters broadcast. Router Adapters that use the most current standards can also support the older ones. 802.11ac is a draft standard approved in 2013 and will be capable of using the less-congesting 5GHz radio frequency spectrum.