HP Mini 2102 - Manual (Page 34)

Connecting to a wireless network
Using wireless devices
Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be
equipped with one or more of the following wireless devices:
● Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects the computer to wireless local area
networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate
offices, your home, and public places such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and
universities. In a WLAN, each mobile wireless device communicates with a wireless router or a
wireless access point.
● HP Mobile Broadband Module (select models only)—A wireless wide area network (WWAN)
device that provides access to information wherever mobile network operator service is
available. In a WWAN, each mobile device communicates to a mobile network operator’s base
station. Mobile network operators install networks of base stations (similar to cell phone towers)
throughout large geographic areas, effectively providing coverage across entire states, regions,
or even countries.
● Bluetooth® device—Creates a personal area network (PAN) to connect to other Bluetooth-
enabled devices such as computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and cameras. In a
PAN, each device communicates directly with other devices, and devices must be relatively
close together— typically within 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) of each other.
The computer supports the following IEEE industry standards:
● 802.11b, the first popular standard, supports data rates of up to 11 Mbps and operates at a
frequency of 2.4 GHz.
● 802.11g supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. An
802.11g WLAN device is backward compatible with 802.11b devices, so they can operate on the
same network.
Identifying wireless and network icons
Icon Name Description
Wireless (connected) Indicates that the wireless network is connected and active.
Network status (connected) Indicates that the wired network is connected and active. If
both wired and wireless connections are active, the
operating system uses the wired connection because it is
faster.
Network status (disconnected) Indicates that either the wired or the wireless network is
disconnected.
Using the wireless controls
You can control the wireless devices in your computer using these features:
● Operating system controls—This is the recommended method.
● The f12 wireless action key
26 Chapter 4 Internet