wireless LAN

(wireless Local Area Network) A communications network that provides connectivity to wireless devices within a limited geographic area. "Wi-Fi" is the universal standard for wireless networks and is the wireless equivalent of wired Ethernet networks. In the office, Wi-Fi networks are adjuncts to the wired networks. At home, a Wi-Fi network can serve as the only network since all laptops and many printers come with Wi-Fi built in, and it can be added to desktop computers.

Wi-Fi LANs do not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations, called "access points," have antennas that transmit and receive a radio frequency within a range of 30 to 150 feet through walls and other non-metal barriers.

Laptops and Desktops Can Be Retrofitted

Old laptops can be upgraded with Wi-Fi adapters via a PC Card slot or USB. Although desktop computers are typically wired to the network, they can be made wireless by plugging a wireless adapter into a USB port or internal PCI slot.

The Wireless Router - All In One

A wireless router is an all-in-one network device specialized for the home or small office that has cable or DSL Internet access. It contains an access point, switch and router. The access point provides the wireless antennas; the switch interconnects wireless and wired devices, and the router forwards Internet traffic to the modem. The modem is wired to the cable company's coaxial cable or the telephone company's DSL phone line. Since all wireless and wired computers are hooked up to the wireless router, they can exchange data with each other for backup and file sharing. For technical details of the wireless standards, see 802.11. See hotspot, router, LAN switch, wireless broadband and WPAN.

Wireless LAN

This shows wired and wireless networks working together. In a large office, access points, switches and routers are stand-alone products. An access point is like a cellphone tower, but its signal distance is measured in feet, not miles. In a large building, users can roam between access points without losing a connection.

Wireless Router

For small networks, a wireless router combines router, access point and switch. The antennas are the Wi-Fi, the 1-2-3-4 Ethernet ports are wired to computers and printers, and the Internet/WAN port is for the cable/DSL modem. This Belkin unit uses two antennas to send and three to receive (see MIMO). (Image courtesy of Belkin Corporation, www.belkin.com)

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