D-Link DI-614+ [7/74] Wireless basics

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 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.