Encyclopedia

Wi-Fi

Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Financial, Acronyms, Wikipedia.

Wi-Fi

Computing a system of accessing the internet from remote machines such as laptop computers that have wireless connections
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

wi-fi

(networking)
Either of two different incompatible radio-based LAN protocols, namely 802.11b (which speaks DSSS at 2.4GHz) and 802.11a (which speaks OFDM at 5GHz).

The term was invented by the marketing departments of wi-fi equipment manufacturers. It is, notionally, short for "wireless fidelity", on the analogy of hi-fi for "high fidelity" audio.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

Wi-Fi

The standard wireless local area network (WLAN) technology for connecting computers and myriad electronic devices to each other and to the Internet. Wi-Fi is the wireless version of a wired Ethernet network, and it is commonly deployed alongside it (see Ethernet). However, the term is not always used correctly (see Wi-Fi terminology).

Every laptop, tablet and smartphone comes with Wi-Fi, as well as most security cameras and home theater devices. Printers and scanners may also support Wi-Fi, and home appliances increasingly use it for control and notifications. Although the Wi-Fi moniker was inspired by "hi-fi" (high fidelity), the name does not mean "wireless fidelity." To learn how Wi-Fi fits into the home and office, see wireless LAN, wireless router and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Wi-Fi Is an IEEE Standard
Wi-Fi is officially the IEEE 802.11 standard. For details and history, see 802.11 and 802.11 versions. The Wi-Fi Alliance certifies that network devices comply with the IEEE 802.11 standards. See Wi-Fi hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Passive Wi-Fi, Muni Wi-Fi, wireless mesh network, Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet, Wi-Fi vs. cellular and Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth.


Wi-Fi-Enabled Washing Machine
This Miele washing machine sends alerts to the user and to Miele via Wi-Fi. If it reports a problem, the company may notify the dealer.







Wireless and Wired Together
With a wireless router, Wi-Fi and Ethernet co-exist in the home. See wireless router.







Ceiling-Mounted and Desktop Access Points
Access points (APs) are the Wi-Fi base stations, and the circuitry in these stand-alone units is also built into a wireless router.







Wi-Fi Adapters
The adapter (top) adds Wi-Fi to any computer via USB, while the card on the bottom plugs into a PCI slot inside a desktop computer. (Images courtesy of D-Link Corporation and TP-LINK Technologies Co., Ltd.)
Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
Mentioned in
References in periodicals archive
Importantly, the paper also identifies new business opportunities created through the convergence of Wi-Fi and 5G at the network and RAN layers, including enterprise use cases, manufacturing, public hotspots and residential applications.
WBA & NGMN examine options for convergence, management of Wi-Fi 6 & 5G
Edgewater Wireless (www.edgewaterwireless.com) is the industry provider of innovative Wi-Fi technology for residential and commercial markets.
Edgewater Wireless OpenWrt code enables seamless adoption of Edgewater technology
As this newest white paper from WBA illustrates, savvy deployment of Wi-Fi 6 can mitigate some of the growing pains that Wi-Fi is experiencing, while ensuring that operators, enterprises and vendors meet important service-level agreements (SLAs).
What Wi-Fi 6 technology is - and why it matters
It found that 43% of families agree their wi-fi connection restricts what they want to do throughout the home and half of people said they'd be put off buying a house that had lots of wi-fi blackspots.
Get rid of wi-fi dead spots from your home; ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Recently, Osama was interviewed about the latest Wi-Fi standard and its implications and various use cases relevant to the new standard.
Wi-Fi 6: Through the eyes of the Standards Working Group
Recently RailTel has roped in Tata Trust for providing Wi-Fi at remaining 4791 B, C, D and E category stations across the country.
1,000 railway stations in India are now Wi-Fi enabled
All Wi-Fi hotspot service providers are required to retain information/data of users from public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Regulations introduced to record user data from public Wi-Fi hotspots
Wi-Fi hotspots, based on international standards, will be allowed
Regulations introduced to record user data from public Wi-Fi hotspots
The new Zyxel AC3800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Extender System (WAP6906) and Multy Pro Whole-Home Wi-Fi System with gigabit MoCA 2.0 residential gateway (EMG6765) and Wi-Fi extender (WAP7205) add new gigabit Wi-Fi solutions that are practical and economical, and offer service providers many more options to deliver managed Wi-Fi service profitably to their customer base.
ZYXEL EXPANDS MULTY PRO WHOLE-HOME WI-FI SOLUTIONS
In a list of 43 countries surveyed in November, the Philippines ranked as the third country with the worst mobile data speed, only next to Cambodia and India, and the second worst in terms of Wi-fi speed.
OpenSignal ranks PHL near bottom of Internet connectivity list
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.