Basics of Ubiquitous Networking

Abstract

Networking is no longer a luxury but rather has reached a stage where it could be regarded as a commodity, if not a necessity. Improvements in networking technologies and devices have resulted in many services and facilities that were considered a dream just a decade ago. The demands of users and organisations are driving networks to provide four “A’s” networking, or the “anytime, anywhere, by anything and anyone” networking, referred to as “ubiquitous networking”. This chapter provides an overview of ubiquitous networking, commencing with a discussion on how ubiquitous networking environments will change our lives, followed by a section on the importance of networking infrastructure, along with the applications and services necessary to maximise the benefits of a ubiquitous networking environment. Furthermore, this chapter addresses the global evolution of ubiquitous networking including some of New Zealand’s attempts in this increasingly important field.