6
Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivitywithinyourhome,businessorpublicaccess
wirelessnetworks. D-Link wireless products willallow you accessto the data you want,
whenandwhereyouwantit.Youwillbeabletoenjoythefreedomthatwirelessnetworking
brings.
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits
and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly in
bothhomeand office environments,andpublic areas suchasairports, coffeeshopsand
universities.Innovativeways toutilizeWLAN technologyarehelping peopletowork and
communicatemore efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other
fixedinfrastructure haveproven to be beneficial formany 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
Ethernetadapter cards.
Peopleuse WLAN 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
informationcan significantlyimprove workerefficiency.
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
andeasy and caneliminate the needto pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technologyallows the network to gowhere wirescannot go - even outsidethe home or
office.
Scalability – WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of
specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range
fromPeer-to-Peer networks suitablefor asmallnumber ofusers to largerinfrastructure
networksto accommodate hundreds or thousands of users, dependingon the number
ofwireless devicesdeployed.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventionalEthernetnetworkdevices.