A TECHINCAL REPORT ON WLAN

ABSTRACT
The term Computer Network to mean a collection of autonomous computers interconnected by a single technology .By this interconnection they are able to exchange information.

 Local Area Networks are privately owned networks within a single building or
campus of few kilometers in size. In a traditional LAN we are connecting computers to the network through cables. The term wireless reflects any means of communication that occurs without wires. The wireless is also called unguided media, i.e. wireless provide a means for transmitting electromagnetic waves but not guided them. But the wireless local area network (WLAN) is a flexible data communications system that can use either infrared or radio frequency technology to transmit and receive information over the air. Here each computer has a radio Modem and Antenna with which it can communicate with other systems.

WLAN COMPONENTS
It has mainly two components: I. Wireless station. II. Access point. I.Wireless station:
Wireless station refers to a client generally a laptop or a personal computer with NIC. It means that Network InterfaceCard which is connected to usb port, it uses radio signals for communication and also referred as wireless adapters. It contains radio transceivers and logic interact with client machine and software.

II.Access point:
It is a stationary device which is a part of wired LAN. It acts as bridge between wireless and wired network. It acts as basic stationwireless network and aggregating various wireless stations to wired network. It uses bridging function that connects two or more networks.

RADIO TRANSMISSION
Wireless Networking is accomplished by Sending and receiving radio waves between transmitter and receiver. The basic concepts in radio transmission are: DATA RATE: Measured in HZ. SIGNALSTRENGTH:Measured in Watt. ANTENNA: turns the electrical impulses to radio waves. RANGE: IN CLOSED OFFICE:29 METRES-11Mbps. IN OPEN AREA:485 METRES-1Mbps.

WLAN TECHNOLOGIES
There are two technologies:

Narrow band technology

A narrowband radio system transmits and receives user information on a specific radio frequency. Narrowband radio keeps the radio signal frequency as narrow as possible just to pass the information.

Spread spectrum
Spread Spectrum is a modulation technique that spreads the data transmission across the entire available frequency band. Spread spectrum also permits many users to share the same frequency band with Minimal interference from other users. Spread spectrum first was developed for use by the military because it uses Wideband signals that are difficult to detect and that resist attempts at jamming.

WLAN ARCHITECTURE
IF WE CONSIDER THE ARCHITECTURE OF WLAN THERE ARE MAINLY TWO TOPOLOGIES ,THEY ARE: INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK:
This is the fundamental 802.11 WLAN topology. The Infrastructure is meant to extend the range of the wired LAN to Wireless LAN cells. This topology is useful for providing wireless coverage of building or campus area. The client stations are generally equipped with Network Interface Card (NIC) .By deploying multiple Access Point s with overlapping coverage areas organizations can achieve broad network coverage.

ADHOC NETWORK
It is used to connect the mobile devices which are at the same area.here all the client stations are grouped at the single geographic area.here various client systems can share the data with out any access point.

WORKING OF LAN
A LAN can be operated in two modes: 1.Adhoc mode In Adhoc mode there are no access points only wireless devices are present in the network. 2.Infrastructure mode. In Infrastructure mode the station(Eg:Laptop),has to identify the access points and network.After identifying the things the station will choose a network and goes through the authentication process with the access point,once the process is certified then the association process starts.This association process allows the system and access point to exchange the information between them.

VARIOUS WAYS OF SECURITY

There are three basic security services provided of WLAN environment. 1. Authentication :Checking the identity. 2. Integrity :Ensures the message that it is not modified . 3. Privacy :Preventing the passive attacks.

BENEFITS OF WLAN
The benefits of WLAN are as follows: a. Mobility :Systems with WLAN can be accessed from any where with in the organisation. b. Quick Deployment:The lack of wires and cables make installing a Wireless LAN quick and easy. The only wiring involved is that at the access points c. Installation Flexibility:It is easy to install d. Reduce-Cost-of-Ownership:Hardware cost may be high but total installation cost is less compared to Wired LAN. e. Scalability :Can connect 100-1000 of systems

WLAN LIMITATIONS
The limitations are as follows:
1. 2. 3. Range and coverage depends on the transmission power and receiving capabilities of the transceiver. Radio interference can cause degradation in throughput(computed result). Throughput is affected by the number of users ,range and type of WLAN system used. If the number of clients increased for a particular access point throughput will reduces

WLAN APPLICATIONS
Various applications of WLAN are as follows 1. Wireless education: With wireless LAN on the campus and with laptop
computers, classrooms and other can have flexible access to the network

2.

Wireless business centres:If conferences and large meetings are equipped with
a wireless LAN, participants can be given laptops to work with during the conference.

3.

Hospitals:Doctors and nurses in hospitals are more productive because hand held
or note book computers with wireless LAN capability deliver patient information instantly.

4. 5.

Accounting :Consulting or accounting audit engagement teams or small work

groups increase productivity with a quicker network set up.

Ware Houses:Warehouse workers can use wireless LAN s to exchange

information with central databases and increase their productivity.

CONCLUSION
Wireless technologies have become increasingly popular in our every day business and personal lives.I suppose better to use the WLAN instead of wired LAN . Over the past several years the price of wireless LAN equipments has dropped significantly. WLAN topped out at 2 Mbps, now WLAN has reached speed up to 100Mbps.

THANK YOU