Perceiving the constantly accelerating pace of technology adoption, one is forced to believe that wireless technology will fast replace the wired world. However, despite apparent advances in wireless technology, many are skeptical about its future with respect to the complete replacement of wired communication. Many IT specialists believe that the major barrier to the spread of wireless networks will be the little amount of innovation and investment in the industry of wireless systems support software (Orr, K., December 2001). However, many believe that organizations may be slow in responding to the growing needs of software for wireless systems, but they are not oblivious to them. Software development programs are being initiated by a number of companies to support wireless systems. Cutter Consortium conducted a survey in which 37% of IT professionals said that their companies were planning to develop wireless applications (Orr, K., Dec 2001). Therefore, we hope that in due time, there will be many issues regarding software support to wireless systems. The developers are only busy with that how far this technology will go and how big the market for its software will be in the future.
The first example of the wireless technology that comes to one’s mind is the cell phone technology, and perhaps it is one of the most widely used network technologies in history. Cell phone networks make use of GSM and CDMA technologies in most countries. Mobile internet devices also include Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) is a relatively recent technology. In our paper, we will concentrate on the applications and operating software used by mobile networking devices and WLAN.
Wireless Systems and Software used
WLAN is a technology that allows people in a limited geographical area to be linked to each other, just in the way a normal Local Area Network or LAN works – the only difference is that WLAN is wireless. WLAN could be used in organizations to interconnect the entire organization. We see examples of WLAN in shopping malls and hotels where hotspots or Wi-Fi systems allow people in the area with appropriate devices and software to access the services of the internet through this WLAN. As Goth (2006) notes, “In mid-August, Google launched Google Wi-Fi, a free wireless network for users in the city of Mountain View. In early September, a consortium including IBM, Cisco, Azulstar, and SeaKay won a contract for a 1,500-square-mile network intended to serve 42 entities and 2.4 million people in Silicon Valley, including every city in both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.”
Software for mobile devices is more difficult to design because it will be developed and tested in a totally different environment, i.e., Solaris or MS Windows machine, from the one it will eventually be run on. Applications can be developed in several environments, for example, J2ME Wireless Toolkit. Software to download applications on cell phones includes Motorola iDEN Update Software Application/Java Application Loader. (Mahmoud, K. H. and Lorain N., May 2002).
LLAN technology requires both operating software and applications. These applications must provide the system with security as well as efficiency. Thick and thin access point wireless solutions are provided by Cisco. They have recently acquired thin access point technology of Airespace, putting Cisco “in the driver’s seat for enterprise-grade wireless.” Other networks are also in work: “While not as big, but leveraging the benefits of thin access points are Aruba Wireless Networks and Trapeze Networks.” (Gilliot, I.)
Major issues in developing software
Developers of software for mobile internet devices face constraints from the limited memory space and processing power available for the application. The display screens of cell phones are also very small, and so there is very little information that can be made to appear on the screen at one time. Developers who may be used to working on large computer systems may find it hard to work with such limited power of the device. Besides the device the software is being designed for, there are limitations of the wireless environment as well. “Wireless networks are unreliable and expensive, and bandwidth is low. They tend to experience more network errors than wired networks.
The very mobility of wireless devices increases the risk that a connection will be lost or degraded.” (Mahmoud, K. H. and Lorain N., May 2002)
There are further challenges posed by a wireless environment that developers have to face. Communication over a wireless system is prone to interference, creating “transmission errors.” “Wireless network protocols may be able to detect and correct some errors, but you need to come up with error-handling strategies that address all the kinds of transmission errors that are likely to occur.” (Mahmoud, K. H. and Lorain N., May 2002). This kind of interception could not only lead to inaccuracy of the message delivered but also insecure connections. If data is very sensitive, security is a high priority. Applications must ensure a secure environment for wireless communication. The time required to deliver a message depends on the processing speeds of both the devices involved. A good application must do away with processing delays.
Conclusion
Software for all wireless technology must have a good architecture, must ensure accuracy, security, and speed of delivery of the message, and must be user-friendly. For the development of wireless software engineering, it is crucial to enhance the interoperability of different software platforms and develop middleware.
Modern software engineering is composed of several separate activities such as requirement analysis, test, and implementation. These ones are performed in sectors with not dynamic flowthrough of data. The segment approach in this way precludes the progress in the elaboration of sound wireless applications. That is why the manual process of engineering must be changed to create an effective automated system that will increase efficiency and create friendly interfaces for software applications.
The utilization of the most up-to-date approaches to software engineering will produce a hugely positive effect on the development of wireless technologies. The development of modern platforms for software engineering and adaptation of wireless hardware leaves no barriers for wireless software production.
Bibliography
- Gilliot, I. (n.d.). The Business Case for Wireless Software Applications in the Enterprise.
- Goth, G. (2006). It’s a WLAN-derful Life.
- Mahmoud, K. H. and Lorain N. (2002). Wireless Software Design Techniques. Sun Developer Network. Web.
- Orr, K. (2001). Wireless: The Next Big Thing? Web.
- Richards, K. (2005). Enterprise WLAN Growing up.