A wireless local area network (WLAN) uses radio waves to connect two or more computers, while a wired LAN uses Ethernet cables. The server connects to the DSL modem and clients require wireless NICs. WLANs offer convenience and flexibility, but require protection against intrusion and can be slower and less reliable than wired networks. The “g” standard offers speeds up to 54 mbps, while newer technology can reach 100 mbps.
A wireless local area network (WLAN or wireless LAN) consists of two or more computers that communicate wirelessly using radio waves. This is in contrast to a wired LAN, where each computer on the network is physically connected with an Ethernet cable to the server’s network switch or hub.
The basic structure of all networks consists of a main computer or server, together with connected machines known as clients. The server typically has two Ethernet network interface cards (NICs) installed and software capable of networking. Microsoft Windows operating systems have built-in networking capabilities starting with Windows 98 Special Edition (SE), but third-party networking software is also available. In the case of a simple home wireless LAN, a desktop might be the server while a laptop might be the client.
Let’s say your desktop has a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection, a high-speed Internet service. To share your Internet connection over a wireless LAN, your desktop will be physically connected to a wireless DSL modem. Your wireless DSL modem may also have a built-in network switch or router. These two devices keep the data flowing to the correct machine on the network. If they are not built into the modem, they will need to be purchased separately.
Connections from the desktop server to the DSL modem, switches and routers are made with physical Ethernet cables. The clients, however, require no cabling. Instead, each machine must have a wireless NIC installed. This could be a PCMCIA NIC, a USB device, or even an internal wireless NIC. Many, but not all, wireless NICs come with a small antenna.
Once the wireless LAN is configured on the server and client, the machines can communicate by sending and receiving data via radio waves. This makes a wireless LAN very convenient because the client can remain mobile anywhere within the transmission range of the network. One can work on a laptop in any room of the house, even in the garden in most cases, and still share the network connection from the server.
In the office, a wireless LAN provides instant connectivity to mobile staff. It also avoids the costly expense of running Ethernet cable through a building, providing simple and effortless desktop connectivity between clients. Since there are no wires running to the clients, one of the major benefits of a wireless LAN is ease of setup. Wireless LANs also offer more flexibility than wired LANs and are less expensive.
Two disadvantages of wireless LAN are that it requires a few extra steps to protect against intrusion; and can be slower and, if interference is present, less reliable than a wired network. However, addictive speeds always improve as the technology improves. Some wireless LAN configurations can compete with wired networks.
Wireless technology standards are indicated by letters. The “g” wireless standard offers speeds of 54 megabits per second (mbps). With augmented technology like the latest variety of multiple input multiple output (MIMO), speeds can reach 100 mbps. This is the speed of an average DSL connection and a wired network. The older wireless LAN standards “a” and “b” are slower technologies.
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