LAN is a wired network connecting devices in a small area, while WLAN is a wireless network using radio frequency or infrared transmission. Integrated WLAN combines both systems and can connect to other technologies. A router with both wired and wireless connections is commonly used. Different devices can be used on the network, and the IEEE 802.11 standards describe WLAN interfaces. Dual band routers can take advantage of two frequencies for 802.11n.
LAN (Local Area Network) refers to a communications network where devices are connected via wired technology in a small area, often operating within a single building. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), is a communications network that does not connect via wires, but instead uses radio frequency (RF) or occasionally infrared (IR) transmission. Integrated WLAN is commonly used with routers or access points that combine these two differently connected systems. Integrated WLAN can also be used to refer to connections between WLANs and other technologies, such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) or TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) or WAN networks.
When LANs began to be used, computers, computer terminals and other devices in the network had to be connected by some type of cable, optical fibers, coaxial cables or telephone lines, as the case may be. While networking has been tremendously beneficial for sharing data and devices, reducing costs and increasing productivity, the wired nature of connections isn’t always easy. Once the Internet came into the picture, a router with an outward pointing connection became the hub of the system connecting the LAN to the Internet. Originally, before built-in WLAN, routers simply connected a bunch of PCs to the Internet via wires.
Integrated WLAN is often set up via a router that can handle both a wired connection and wireless connections. These connections can be used by WiFi or Internet Protocol (IP) phones, also known as Voice over IP or VoIP phones, as well as computers and other wired and wireless devices. Computers with a wireless card installed can be used wired or wirelessly, depending on the owner’s choice and depending on the range of the wireless network. Other devices that can be used on a network include video game consoles, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players.
Wireless connections vary depending on the version or versions of the 802.11 standard used. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards describe the interfaces for WLAN, including integrated WLAN. The most common iterations of the standard in the 21st century are 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. There are dual band routers that take advantage of the two frequencies for 802.11n: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. At 2.4 GHz, a range of about 230 feet (70 m) can be achieved, while the range for 5 GHz is significantly less. Dual band deployments can be one at a time or simultaneous.
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