Using a Wireless Network in a Legal Office Environment

As you may know, networks allow multiple computers and peripherals to share common data. See the Wired Network webpage for some basic local area network information.

The primary benefit of using a wireless network is portability. You might use a notebook computer on a regular basis, and want to connect it temporarily to your wired network to obtain or transfer data. With today's wireless networking technology, one can use a computer in a very portable way, and still maintain connectivity to the Internet and other critical software.

In many cases, where there are only one or two attorneys working in an office, it is not necessary to have a large investment in networking hardware. All one may want to do is use the network to connect to printers, the Internet, and to send important files to others in the office.

On the other hand, a large office may have several attorneys using notebook computers offsite, such as in court, and might want to allow them access to critical client and research data without wiring in several offices.

In cases like this, an office can install a "wireless access point" or two around the building, and users can access printers, data, the Internet, email, and other important software resources without ever physically plugging into a wired network. All network access is accomplished by means of a wireless PC Card inserted into a slot on the notebook computer. See the picture above.

Once an attorney comes into the building, he or she simply turns their computer on, and it automatically finds and connects to the network. It is very convenient, and fast too, with today's technology.

There is one critical concern when using a wireless network, though, and that is security. Since the wireless network is, in effect, like a short range radio station, unauthorized people could connect to the internal network from outside the building. It is very similar to many of the coffee shops around town who advertise free wireless to get busy attorneys to stop by and drink some coffee while working on the Internet.

To correctly and safely use a wireless network, a form of network encryption must be installed. This prevents unauthorized users from accessing anything on the network. Once the wireless signal is encrypted, the network is secure.

Can An Entire Network Be Installed as a Wireless Network?

Yes, it can! Many offices today choose not to go to the expense of wiring an office. Instead they simply install wireless network cards in the servers and the workstation desktop computers. All the notebook computers should have wireless PC Network cards. Then, Wireless Access Points (WAPs) are installed around the office. These WAPs are like small radio transmitters that broadcast a network signal for up to 50 feet inside a building. More powerful WAPs can be purchased that will cover a larger building with multiple floors.

Once the network cards are installed, the WAPs setup, and network encryption is enabled, the network is ready for use. The only real drawback to using a completely wireless network, is that they are only about 1/2 the speed of a normal wired network. Where a normal wired network runs at 100 MBits per second (or even 1000 MBits), a wireless network only runs at 54 MBits per second. A little over 1/2 the speed. However, the convenience of being able to use your computer anywhere you'd like in the building is a powerful reason for "going wireless."

Would you like to investigate wireless networking? Do you have a current wireless network? Are you absolutely sure that it is encrypted and secure? Let us help you examine how wireless networking might help your office by requesting a Free Initial Consultation or Contacting us here.