What is a wireless network?

A wireless local area network (LAN) is a flexible data communications system implemented as an extension to, or as an alternative for, a wired LAN. Using radio frequency (RF) technology, wireless LANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the need for wired connections. Thus, wireless LANs combine data connectivity with user mobility.

Wireless LANs increase flexibility by allowing mobility of computers. In addition ad hoc networks can be created by several computers, equipped with wireless adapters, without the need for additional equipment, installation, and/or management.

Why wireless?

The widespread reliance on networking in business and the rapid growth of the Internet and online services are strong testimonies to the benefits of shared data and shared resources. With wireless LANs, users can access shared information without looking for a place to plug in, and network managers can set up or augment networks without installing or moving wires. Wireless LANs offer the following productivity, convenience, and cost advantages over traditional wired networks:

• Mobility: Wireless LAN systems can provide LAN users with access to real-time information anywhere at work and in the home.
• Installation Speed and Simplicity: Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.
• Installation Flexibility: Wireless technology allows the network to go where wire cannot go.
• Reduced Cost-of-Ownership: While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware can be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs can be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves and changes.
• Scalability: Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousands of users that enable roaming over a broad area.

Wireless LAN's in the Real World

Wireless LANs frequently augment rather than replace wired LAN networks, often providing the final few meters of connectivity between a wired network and the mobile user. The following list describes some of the many applications made possible through the power and flexibility of wireless LANs:

• Doctors and nurses in hospitals are more productive because hand-held or notebook computers with wireless LAN capability deliver patient information instantly.
• Consulting or accounting audit teams or small workgroups increase productivity with quick network setup.
• Students holding class on a campus greensward access the Internet to consult the catalog of the Library of Congress.
• Network managers in dynamic environments minimize the overhead caused by moves, extensions to networks, and other changes with wireless LANs.
• Training sites at corporations and students at universities use wireless connectivity to ease access to information, information exchanges, and learning.
• Network managers installing networked computers in older buildings find that wireless LANs are a cost-effective network infrastructure solution.
• Trade show and branch office workers minimize setup requirements by installing pre-configured wireless LANs needing no local MIS support.
• Warehouse workers use wireless LANs to exchange information with central databases, thereby increasing productivity.
• Network managers implement wireless LANs to provide backup for mission-critical applications running on wired networks.
• Senior executives in meetings make quicker decisions because they have real-time information at their fingertips.