Networking 101 (going off fuzzy memory)
To preface, WiFi is NOT “the internet”.
Let’s simplify:
One device is a “node”
A node can connect to other nodes (computer to printer, or computer to computer).
When multiple computers connect to each other, that is a “network”.
A network (multiple nodes connected) can be configured to connect to each other in three ways:
Wired
Wireless
Mixed (wired and wireless)
Note: wireless can be radio waves or non visible light waves (infrared).
Dissimilar networks need a router to connect.
A router is a smart traffic cop in a busy city. It gets the visitors to homes and businesses efficiently as well as locals out of town efficiently. Speaks many languages.
An intranet is a stand alone network inside a network. An intranet can have a node that connects to an external network, but often, the intranet is physically cut off from outside connections. (Think alphabet organization computers in a secure building.)
An extranet is a private network inside a public network. Usually sales people and their databases connected via VPN.
The internet is the whole of allcomputers interconnected.
The World Wide Web is the contents of those connected devices.
With this summary, here’s what can happen:
1)The SIL “remote” node is connected via wifi access point.
2)That access point has an external antenna that points to another access point in another location.
ProTip: water in tree leaves, concrete and metal all degrade signal. Distance also degrades signal but you can still send 2.4 gHz signals many MILES in a point to point (line of sight) connection.
3) The home “local” access point is connected to a switch (dumb traffic cop) or a router.
4) The router is connected to the internet modem (provided by your internet service provider).
the “local” AP can be the same device (the router) that goes to the modem. But it’s often better to have the AP a separate device that can be modified for a better point to point antenna.
I pulled all this from old memory from a long time ago. There may be some technical errors but I didn’t set out to write a book, just a hint of a summary.
This tech & equip was popular when DSL was rolling out in the 2000’s and friends were sharing their internet connections with distant neighbors who didn’t have DSL yet. Those “last mile” neighborhoods. Nowadays most people think wifi is the internet.
Antenna:
Omni: sends receives radio signal like a balloon (all directions). Shortest send/receive distances.
directional: sends/receives like a garden hose (works great pointed at something, goes farther in that one direction.
Hit YouTube or a general search for a “pringles cantenna” or its equivalent. I might have even mentioned an unused pair of satellite dishes. DirecTV was most popular back in the day. Not sure what/if any difference between Dish and DirecTV was/is in this application.
