Question

Give 2 page summary on WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and show diagrams to illustrate interaction of devices within constructed network.

Answer 1

A "wireless LAN" (WLAN) is a wireless local area network which links two or more devices using wireless communication to form a local area network (LAN) within a limited area. Such as in home, school, computer laboratory, campus, or offices.

Through a gateway, a WLAN can also provide a connection to the wider Internet.

Most modern WLANs are based on IEEE 802.11 standards and are marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name.

Wireless LANs are popular nowadays as it can be used in home, and are easy to install.They are also popular in commercial sectors such as colleges,office etc. which offers wireless access to their employees and customers.

History of WLAN:

Norman Abramson a professor at the University of Hawaii, was the person who developed the world's first wireless computer communication network, called as "ALOHAnet". The system came in use in the year 1971, it included seven computers which were deployed over four islands to communicate with the central computer located on the Oahu island without using phone lines.

The following are the types of wireless LANs:

1) Peer-to-peer:

A peer-to-peer network is one which allows wireless devices to directly communicate with each other. Wireless devices which are within range of each other can search themselves and communicate directly without involving central access points. This method is a typical method used by two computers so that they can connect to each other to form a new network.

2) Bridge:

The bridge is used to connect or join networks, typically of different types. A wireless Ethernet bridge allows the connection of devices on a wired Ethernet network to a wireless network. The bridge basically acts as the connection point for the WLAN.

3) Wireless distribution system:

A wireless distribution system (WDS) enables the wireless interconnection of access points in special type of network. It allows the  network to expand using multiple access points without the need of a wired backbone to link them, as is traditionally required. The advantage of a WDS over other solutions is that it "preserves the MAC addresses of client packets across links between access points".

Applications of WLAN:

Wireless LANs have a lot of applications. Modern implementations of WLANs range from small in-home networks to large campus-sized and to completely mobile networks on airplanes and trains.

Users can access the Internet from WLAN hotspots in restaurants, hotels, and with portable devices which connects to 3G or 4G networks.Many times these types of public access points require no registration or password to join the network but few of them can be accessed by registration or by paying a certain amount of fee.