3. Wireless Basics
D-Link AirPlus wireless products are based on industry standards to provide
easy-to-use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your
home, business or public access wireless networks. Strictly adhering to the
IEEE standard, the D-Link AirPlus wireless family of products will allow you
to securely access the data you want, when and where you want it. You will
be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that
transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless
LANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments, and
public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities. Innovative ways
to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and communicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other
fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network.
Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the
same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.
Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices
to link to a conventional Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an
Internet connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Access
Point (AP) is a device used to provide this link.
People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions
based on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs – WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) are
easy to set up, manage, change and relocate. Networks that frequently
change, both physically and logically, can benefit from WLANs ease of
implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.
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.