(wireless Local Area Network) A local network that provides wireless connectivity to laptops and other handheld devices. The wireless LAN standard is "Wi-Fi," which is the wireless counterpart to Ethernet, the standard for wired local networks. In the office, Wi-Fi is an adjunct to the Ethernet network. At home, it can serve as the only network if family members use laptops and wireless printers.
Wi-Fi LANs do not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations with antennas (access points) transmit a radio frequency over an area from approximately 30 to 150 feet through walls and other non-metal barriers. In an office with multiple access points, roaming users can be handed off from one access point to another like a cellular phone system.
Wi-Fi Is Everywhere
Wi-Fi adapters (transceivers) are built into new laptops and other devices such as PDAs, smartphones and digital cameras. Old laptops can be retrofitted with wireless adapters via a PC card slot or USB. Although desktop computers are typically wired to the network, they can also be made wireless by plugging a wireless adapter into the USB port or into an internal PCI slot. See 802.11 for specification details.
The Wireless Router
A wireless router is a network device specialized for the home or small office that requires wireless connectivity and Internet access via a cable or DSL provider. The wireless router comprises three parts: #1 - an access point for wireless transmission to Wi-Fi devices, #2 - an Ethernet switch that acts as a traffic cop between the wireless devices and up to four wired devices, typically desktop computers, and #3 - a router, which forwards Internet traffic outside the local network to the cable or DSL modem. The modem is wired to the cable company's coaxial cable or the telephone company's DSL line.
Since all wireless and wired computers are hooked up to the wireless router, they can exchange data with each other for backup and file sharing.
The illustration below shows a typical company local area network (LAN) with both wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi (wireless Ethernet). Since many computers are connected in a large office (sometimes hundreds and thousands), the access points, switches and routers are stand-alone products. The wireless router combines the functions of all three into one convenient unit. See WPAN.
Wireless LAN
Wireless LANs work similar to cellular telephone systems. An access point is like a cellphone tower, but, instead of transmitting over a radius of some number of miles, it transmits over a radius measured in feet. Just as a cellphone conversation keeps flowing when traveling into the range of the next cell tower, users can roam between Wi-Fi access points in a building without losing their connection.
Wireless Router
A wireless router combines access point, switch and router in one unit for setting up a small wireless and wired network from scratch. The antennas transmit the Wi-Fi signals, while the four Ethernet ports are wired to four computers. The Internet/WAN connection goes to the cable or DSL modem. This Belkin router uses multiple antennas: two send and three receive (see MIMO). (Image courtesy of Belkin Corporation, www.belkin.com)
Wi-Fi LANs do not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations with antennas (access points) transmit a radio frequency over an area from approximately 30 to 150 feet through walls and other non-metal barriers. In an office with multiple access points, roaming users can be handed off from one access point to another like a cellular phone system.
Wi-Fi Is Everywhere
Wi-Fi adapters (transceivers) are built into new laptops and other devices such as PDAs, smartphones and digital cameras. Old laptops can be retrofitted with wireless adapters via a PC card slot or USB. Although desktop computers are typically wired to the network, they can also be made wireless by plugging a wireless adapter into the USB port or into an internal PCI slot. See 802.11 for specification details.
The Wireless Router
A wireless router is a network device specialized for the home or small office that requires wireless connectivity and Internet access via a cable or DSL provider. The wireless router comprises three parts: #1 - an access point for wireless transmission to Wi-Fi devices, #2 - an Ethernet switch that acts as a traffic cop between the wireless devices and up to four wired devices, typically desktop computers, and #3 - a router, which forwards Internet traffic outside the local network to the cable or DSL modem. The modem is wired to the cable company's coaxial cable or the telephone company's DSL line.
Since all wireless and wired computers are hooked up to the wireless router, they can exchange data with each other for backup and file sharing.
The illustration below shows a typical company local area network (LAN) with both wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi (wireless Ethernet). Since many computers are connected in a large office (sometimes hundreds and thousands), the access points, switches and routers are stand-alone products. The wireless router combines the functions of all three into one convenient unit. See WPAN.
Wireless LAN
Wireless LANs work similar to cellular telephone systems. An access point is like a cellphone tower, but, instead of transmitting over a radius of some number of miles, it transmits over a radius measured in feet. Just as a cellphone conversation keeps flowing when traveling into the range of the next cell tower, users can roam between Wi-Fi access points in a building without losing their connection.
Wireless Router
A wireless router combines access point, switch and router in one unit for setting up a small wireless and wired network from scratch. The antennas transmit the Wi-Fi signals, while the four Ethernet ports are wired to four computers. The Internet/WAN connection goes to the cable or DSL modem. This Belkin router uses multiple antennas: two send and three receive (see MIMO). (Image courtesy of Belkin Corporation, www.belkin.com)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Palm Treo: The reviews are upbeat; Can a device turn Palm around?
- Palm may have a hit on its hands with the Treo Pro judging from the recent spate of reviews as NDAs ended on Wednesday. The larger question is whether this pricey device can give the company a boost in the bottom line. To wit: ...
- Blog posts 2008-08-27
- Say goodbye to laser: Microsoft 'Blue Track' mouse discovered (with pic)
- Is this the end of laser? Some eagle-eyed readers over at Engadget have stumbled upon a Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse with "Blue Track" technology on Amazon.de. If you recall, Microsoft recently tempted fans with a "Say Goodbye To Laser" teaser touting new technology...
- Blog posts 2008-08-27
- Inventor sues Google, Verizon, others on voicemail
- Inventor Judah Klausner filed a voice mail patent lawsuit on Tuesday against Google, Verizon Communications, and others. Verizon has already sued Klausner over the validity of his patents. SAN FRANCISCO--Emboldened by settlements with Apple and AT&T, inventor Judah Klausner filed a voice mail patent lawsuit on Tuesday against Google,...
- News items 2008-08-27
- Go ahead...bring in your laptop
- There is a growing controversy in our district over the use of personal laptops and other computing devices that can access our wireless or wired networks. A significant majority, myself included, believe that, aside from WPA and a strong password for the routers, teachers and students should be able...
- Blog posts 2008-08-26
- Is LogMeIn the route to laptop Linux?
- Is LogMeIn the route to laptop Linux?Linux is cheaper than WindowsAnd since they do the same thing, why not go with the cheaper option?And really you're right in that the other OS is more important to the end user. But as far as the sale of this "terminal", what it...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-26
- One Router to Connect Them All
- One Router to Connect Them AllWives and out of townI have the same problem. I usually get infuriating phone calls where I have to talk her through the whole device reboot process each time, and she forgets how to do it.God awful from where I liveRead my "Harsh reality of...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-26
- One Router to Connect Them All
- Sunday afternoons are the few times I actually get some peace and don't have to think about major IT problems. I fire up my Weber smoker, throw on a couple of racks of ribs, fire up a bucket of hardwood charcoal and fruit wood chunks, and I chill for a...
- Blog posts 2008-08-25
- X-Box (and Cell Phone) Nation: Election Rests In Digital Hands
- The Democratic convention gets started tonight and in the constant quest for the unconventional technological means of getting out the youth vote, the X-Box is today's "in" device. By itself, this may not be a big deal. There are about 12 million X-Box members around...
- Blog posts 2008-08-25
- Qwest CTO on FTTP, bandwidth caps and integrated services
- Qwest plans to roll out integrated home services where it ties its services in with those from its partners such as MSN and DirecTV in a move enabled by a thin layer of software, according to Qwest CTO Pieter Poll. Poll right talked about Qwest's broadband strategy...
- Blog posts 2008-08-25
- Mandatory email
- Mandatory emailWe need better emailFrankly, email is currently broken - spam and scams and phishing make it a mess to wade through, even with the best spam blocking stuff.Problem is, we decided to use "adaptive filtering" statistical junk rather than solid encryption and digital signatures. What do the spammers do?...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-25
- Google and Sirius XM: Build my "Dream" Handheld
- The current rumor-mongering seems to indicate that HTC's "Dream" will soon be making landfall in the US. Based on the initially leaked specs of this device, it still sounds like it doesn't do what I really would want it to do in order to replace by Blackberry 8820. ...
- Blog posts 2008-08-24
- BlackBerry Patent app describes wireless changing of theme screens
- BlackBerry Patent app describes wireless changing of theme screensdiscount for Olympic CelebrationHi,please check the below msg I got recently...Hope it may some how help you...I found a similar one at explorepda.com and also they announced 25% discount for Olympic CelebrationCheck the message below I got from them25% off on all...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-23
- Maxtor Central Axis NAS server
- The Maxtor Central Axis carries a list price of $320, but can be found for as little as $270--a good deal for a network storage device with 1TB of storage. We liked the Central Axis' compact design, fast performance, and that its over-the-Internet access service was easy to set...
- Product reviews 2008-08-22
- Olympus SP-570 UZ
- Photos and image samples:Olympus SP-570 UZOnce you mention the Olympus SP-570's 20x zoom lens, the rest of the camera's feature set seems almost superfluous; with an atypically wide-angle lens for any class of single-body cameras plus an exceptionally long telephoto view, the lens is the raison d'être for the camera....
- Product reviews 2008-08-22
- Intel teases shape-shifting programmable matter
- Intel teases shape-shifting programmable matterWhere's my wireless shoe phone?Having a shoe phone with a cord really sucks.Message has been deleted.RE: Intel teases shape-shifting programmable matteruhuoAnd in .....Other news ....Joe Geek has taken a FireLog size of programmable matter and created his OWN version of Pamela lee Anderson ....RE: Intel teases...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-22
- Intel teases shape-shifting programmable matter
- Intel CEO Justin Rattner teased his Intel Developer Forum audience with technology of the not-so-disant-future that could take an object design of any imaginable shape, 'hit the print command,' and see the matter take shape. SAN FRANCISCO, CA--Mobile phones in future could be thumb-sized in pockets, and in practically...
- News items 2008-08-22
- Verizon, Google getting chummy on mobile search?
- Verizon Communications and Google are reportedly close to a partnership that could bring the search giant's services to its wireless unit and perhaps TV and broadband services too. According to the Wall Street Journal, Verizon and Google are talking about a partnership. This partnership would bring Google's...
- Blog posts 2008-08-22
- Arc Wireless Freedom Blade
- As cell phones become the "everything gadget" for more people, companies have begun to cash in on the need for great reception at all times. Wilson Electronics and Wi-Ex have introduced some of our favorite products, and even Sprint Nextel offers an option of its own. A less successful product,...
- Product reviews 2008-08-21
- Sprint Airave
- Since a cell phone is practically useless without good signal strength, a signal booster is sometimes required to boost it. We've seen plenty signal boosters here at CNET, from the Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL to the ARC Freedom Antenna. However, Sprint has decided to release device to boost the signal of...
- Product reviews 2008-08-21
- Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200 - headset
- With so many PC accessories cutting their cords, it's no surprise to see wireless headsets joining the party. To that end, Creative has released the HS-1200 Digital Wireless Gaming Headset. As the name suggests, the unit is targeted at PC gamers who play games that allow you to use voice...
- Product reviews 2008-08-21
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- BNET Industries
- Check out BNET's newest resource for managers and executives. Need to do research on your competitors? Don't have time to read every trade pub? BNET Industries is the new source for daily news, insights, and research on 11 major industries and 9,000 public companies.
-
- The technology industry from a different angle
-
- See what's hot in the auto industry
-
- Stay on top of the energy industry
