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D-LinkAir Xpertwireless products arebased onindustry standardsto provideeasy-to-
useand compatiblehigh-speed wirelessconnectivity withinyour home, businessor
public access wireless networks. Strictly adhering to the IEEE standard, the D-Link
Air Xpert 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
networkingdelivers.
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
increasinglyin bothhome andoffice environments,and public areassuch asairports,
coffeeshops and universities.Innovative waysto utilize WLANtechnology arehelping
people to work and communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence
ofcabling and otherfixed infrastructurehave provento be beneficial for manyusers.
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
protocolsas Ethernet adapter cards.
Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices to link to
aconventional EthernetLAN in order to use servers, printers or an Internet connection
supplied through the wired LAN.AWirelessAccess Point (AP) is a device used to
providethis link.
Peopleuse wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility -Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location
withinthe operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time
informationcan significantly improveworker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs –WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and
relocate.Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease of
implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be
impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast and
easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even outside the home or
office.
Inexpensive Solution – Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventionalEthernetnetworkdevices.
Scalability – WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of
specificapplications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range
frompeer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of usersto larger infrastructure
networksto accommodate hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the number
ofwirelessdevices deployed.
Wireless Basics
