A wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a flexible data communication system implemented as an extension to or as an alternative for a wired LAN. Better still, it can be implemented as a unified architecture – which provides a seamless integration of the wired and wireless infrastructure. As the name suggests a wireless LAN is one that makes use of wireless transmission medium, i.e. wireless LAN transmits and receives data over air, and minimizing the need for the wired connection. It uses Radio Frequency technology, mostly operating at the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz frequency bands depending on the particular WLAN standard used. For example, the IEEE 802.11g WLAN standard operates at the 2.4 GHz frequency, while the recently ratified IEEE 802.11n operates optimally at the 5.0 GHz frequency bands.
By having a wireless Network Interface Card (wireless NIC) on a desktop computer, laptop computer or a hand-held mobile device such as a PDA, and a device called Access Point (AP), it is possible to transfer files from one wireless client to another and to a wired server machine on the wired LAN at speeds of million bits per second i.e. Mega bits per second (Mbps) – provided the wireless clients are within the coverage range of the APs. The acceptable range varies with the WLAN technology in use.
WLANs combines data connectivity with user mobility. A user may be sitting in his cubicle working on his laptop computer using a wireless connection. Suddenly called into a meeting, he picks his laptop, walks into the conference room and continues to work over the wireless connection. Many business offices and enterprise organizations are rapidly deploying WLANs, based on several benefits/reasons such as increased productivity due to increased mobility, lower infrastructural cost compared to wired LANs, as well as rapid deployment schedules associated with WLANs. Soon it will be difficult to find hotels, fast food restaurants, coffee shops, educational institutions and government workplaces without a WLAN that offers wireless access to the Internet – also known as “Wi-Fi hot-spots”.
By having a wireless Network Interface Card (wireless NIC) on a desktop computer, laptop computer or a hand-held mobile device such as a PDA, and a device called Access Point (AP), it is possible to transfer files from one wireless client to another and to a wired server machine on the wired LAN at speeds of million bits per second i.e. Mega bits per second (Mbps) – provided the wireless clients are within the coverage range of the APs. The acceptable range varies with the WLAN technology in use.
WLANs combines data connectivity with user mobility. A user may be sitting in his cubicle working on his laptop computer using a wireless connection. Suddenly called into a meeting, he picks his laptop, walks into the conference room and continues to work over the wireless connection. Many business offices and enterprise organizations are rapidly deploying WLANs, based on several benefits/reasons such as increased productivity due to increased mobility, lower infrastructural cost compared to wired LANs, as well as rapid deployment schedules associated with WLANs. Soon it will be difficult to find hotels, fast food restaurants, coffee shops, educational institutions and government workplaces without a WLAN that offers wireless access to the Internet – also known as “Wi-Fi hot-spots”.
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