What Are Different Types Of WLAN Authentication — Basics Of Networking

When a wireless network is deployed, authentication is the first thing that needs to be done before connecting it to devices. So, It is important to know the different aspects of the authentication methods. However, authentication should not be mistaken with the authorization. 

Authentication is a process by which the identity of a user is verified by using some sort of credentials. On the other hand, authorization is more like authorizing a person to use the resources. Thus, in the most of the cases, authentication precedes authorization.

As far as authentication is concerned,  there are mainly three types of WLAN authentication methods that are used today:

• Open authentication
• shared authentication
• EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) authentication

Open Authentication:

When a wireless network is deployed, a user knows about the particular network using its Service-Set Identifier (SSID). SSID, in simple terms, can be thought of as a wireless network identifier which is continuously broadcasted by the wireless network.

If you are really interested in knowing the different SSIDs your machine can see, then type the command below:

“netsh wlan show networks”

And it would look something like this:

Here, you can see a list of SSIDs as well as authentication types of those SSIDs. So, in the open authentication, if the device knows the SSID, it can directly join the network.

Shared Authentication:

The shared authentication method is more secure than the open authentication. However, the shared authentication is basically employed on the individual and small business levels. A shared key, also known as Pre-Shared Key (PSK), is shared between the two parties. When the device tries to connect to that network, it puts in the key and if that matches, then the device is allowed onto the network.

Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP):

EAP is the last types of WLAN authentication method, but the most secure authentication process of all. That’s why EAP is also deployed at the enterprise level along with an authentication server. A user logs into the wireless network using a variety of credential options.

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How To Test Your Internet Speed With Fast.com — Simplest Internet Speed Test By Netflix

Fast.com is a simple internet connection speed test tool launched by Netflix. It tells you the real-time download speeds and gives you a link to compare your results with the famous Ookla’s Speedtest.net. Netflix says that it measures your current download speed by performing a series of downloads from Netflix servers.

Are you tired of your ISP’s deception and the slow internet connection speed? Well, you have an option of checking your connection speed and filing a complaint. To check the internet connection speeds, numerous broadband tests are available and they have their own specialties.

While many of you might be using Ookla’s Speedtest from time to time, Netflix is here with the simplest internet connection speed test ever called fast.com. They also give the option to compare your results with Ookla internet connection speed test.

As you visit the newly released service, you see a minimal interface that just measures your internet service provider’s download speed. After a few seconds of the test, the results are right in front of you in huge digits.

Unlike Ookla’s test, fast.com shows no ads and is designed by Netflix to check your download speeds if you are facing any streaming issues with your ISP.

How to take Fast.com internet connection speed test?

As I earlier said, you just need to visit Fast.com and your test automatically starts. If you want to check the internet connection speed once more, you need to hit the reload button and the test starts again.

Fast.com measures your current download speed by performing a series of downloads from Netflix servers. “This consumer speed test is different than our Netflix ISP Speed Index. Fast.com measures your personal Internet connection at any given time,” the Netflix website writes.

Earlier in May, Netflix also introduced a tool to help the users control how much data they use.

Fast.com vs Ookla Speedtest.net results:

I decided to take both Fast.com and Ookla Speedtest and there was a surprising difference between those. While Speedtest.net recorded a download speed of 40-60 Mbps, Fast.com’s result  was stuck around 10 Mbps.

Go ahead, take the both internet connection speed tests, 

— fast.com

— speedtest.net

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Google’s Android Instant Apps — Use Them In Your Browser Without Installing

Android Instant Apps are being called the next big thing that can revolutionize mobile experience. To be launched by the end of this year, one will be able to launch the Instant Apps with just a click on a URL, use the specific portion of that app, and forget about it. This functionality will save space and time, making our app experience as seamless as browsing a web page.

At its I/O developer conference, Google announced many new products and services. The company even surprised everybody by launching a website to submit suggestions for the name of next version of Android i.e. Android N.

From the same platform, Google showed off a new approach to native Android apps that allows you to use apps without installing them on your Android device. This allows developers to take advantage of the modules of applications without actually using them.

What are Android Instant Apps?

Android Instant Apps are being developed to blur the lines between a mobile app and a web app. This feature will be rolled out slowly to the users, but Google wants you to rethink the concept of mobile apps.

While downloading an application takes some time and storage space, Instant Articles run simply by clicking on a URL.

Google says that the idea behind Instant Apps is to make the app experience as simple as surfing a website. In future, you’ll visit an app via a web page, perform the desired action, and never think about it again.

To enable this feature, developers need to break their apps into smaller modules that can start within few seconds. Instead of rewriting the app from scratch, they can use the existing source code and implement the Instant App support within a day, according to Google.

In its I/O demo, the Google presenter showed different apps like Buzzfeed and B&H with Instant App ability and completed the tasks in seconds without installing any app.

In the demo, Google used a device running Android 4.4 KitKat. It’s expected that Google will allow the Instant Apps to run on any device running Android Jellybean or newer.

The tech giant is expected to roll out the Instant Apps by the end of 2016.

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IBM’s Optical Storage Is Cheaper And 50 Times Faster Than Flash Memory

IBM’s new optical storage, called PCM storage, can read data 70 times faster than flash memory and costs as much as the RAM. This breakthrough in technology can let a cell phone booting up within a second in the future.

Here is a video from IBM research:

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Do You Think “Girls Can’t Code”? This Video Series Is Here To Tell You Something

Do you think that girls can’t code? To break such stereotypes and start a much-needed conversation, a non-profit organization Girls Who Code has produced a satirical video series called Girls Do Code.

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