Wireless LAN

By: Jennifer Lawson Class: Networking 175 Date: 01/21/2012

What is a Wireless LAN

A Wireless local area network (WLAN) Doesn't rely on wired Ethernet connections Data transfer speeds ranging from 1 to 54Mbps Signal can broadcast to cover an area ranging in size from small office to large campuses. WLAN access points provide access within a radius of 65 to 300 feet

What is a Wireless LAN contd

Home or business WLAN employs one or two access points to broadcast signal around a 100- to 200- foot radius Most Wi-Fi of home and office WLANs now adhere to the new 802.11n standards Many now adhere to the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) standard.

WLAN Pros
802.11a Faster data transfer rates up to 54Mbps Supports more simultaneous connections Less susceptible to interference 812.11b Better at penetrating physical barriers Longest range (70-150 feet) Hardware is usually less expensive

WLAN Pros contd

802.11g Faster data transfer rates (up to 54 Mbps) Better Range than 802.11b (65-120 feet) 802.11n The 802.11n standard was recently ratified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) It is expected to allow data transfer rates up to 600 Mbps and may offer larger ranges

WLANs Cons
802.11a Short range (60-100 feet) Less able to penetrate physical barriers 812.11b Slower data transfer rates (up to 11Mbps) Doesnt support as many simultaneous connections More susceptible to interference

WLANs Cons contd

802.11g More susceptible to interference 802.11n No listed cons

Equipment needed for Wireless LAN

Any computer connecting to a wireless LAN require a wireless network adapter This is a hardware component common to most modern laptops. Can be installed in a desktop computer or laptop, either internally or externally via a USB connection

Equipment needed for Wireless LAN pg.2

A wireless switch is used for communication between multiple computers on a wireless LAN Commonly used to connect any wireless network of 3 or more computers or wireless electronics A wireless router/switch is commonly called a wireless router, is used for a wireless LAN that connects computers to a shared Internet connection. The antenna tunes into a wireless router some what like a radio station which all the computers on the network connect to so they can see each other. Provides a kind of shared gateway to the Internet.

Equipment needed for a Wireless LAN pg.3

A repeater, a common piece of wireless network equipment. This is a wireless signal amplifier that extends the distance of a wireless LAN Makes it much easier to expand a network for a larger area later on

Equipment needed for a Wireless LAN pg.4

Ad-Hoc network is a way to set up a small wireless LAN between only 2 computers using only the wireless network adapters. Convenient way to network 2 computers. A wireless modem can be used in place of a router by tuning into the adapters by physically attaching to the network but receives wireless connections from an adapter.

Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5951015_wirele ss-lan-adapters_.html http://kb.iu.edu/data/aick.html http://www.ehow.com/facts_5904229_equip ment-needed-wireless-lan_.html