Wireless LANs also known as WLANs use radio technologies
called IEEE 802.11a, b and g to provide wireless connectivity. A WLAN can
be used to connect computers with each other, to the Internet, and to wired
Ethernet networks.
These networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz
radio bands, and wireless standards such as 802.11b offer a throughput of
11 Mbps. 802.11g, also operating in the same 2.4 GHz frequency is five times
faster (offering a throughput of 54 Mbps) than 802.11b. While most enterprises
have shown interest in deploying 802.11g they need a special licence to use
it on the campus.
Establishing a wireless connection to the Internet requires
a wireless PCMCIA card if the access device in question is a notebook or PDA.
It connects to an Access Point which in turn connects to the PSTN network.
WLANs permit faster expansion of a network than conventional
LANs. Adding a computer to a wireless network is quick and easy as there is
no need to install cable or find an available Ethernet port on your hub or
router. Just plug in your wireless PCMCIA card and configure with an access
point to log on.
WLANs are relatively safe provided that wireless security
standards such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) for authentication and Wi-Fi
Protected Access (WPA) are used to secure them.
