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Wireless LAN (WLAN)

What is wireless LAN, and what is the difference between wireless LAN and wifi?

What is wireless LAN, and what is the difference between wireless LAN and wifi?

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Wireless LANs (WLANs) are the latest technology in networking. They use radio waves instead of wires to connect devices, which means they can cover a wider area and provide a faster connection. In this blog article, we will explore wireless LANs and the different types available. We will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each type and give you an idea of which might be best for your needs.

What Is Wireless LAN

WLAN is a technology that uses radio waves to connect devices such as laptops, phones, and other devices in a local area network. The term “wireless” refers to the fact that these networks don’t use cables to connect devices.

The main difference between wireless LAN and Wi-Fi is that WLAN uses short-range radio waves while Wi-Fi uses long-range radio waves. This means wireless LAN can connect devices in closer quarters than Wi-Fi.

Another major difference is that wireless networks can typically operate at lower speeds than Wi-Fi networks. This is because they rely on shorter-range signals, while Wi-Fi uses longer-range signals.

Wireless LAN vs. wifi: What’s the Difference?

Wireless LAN vs. wifi: What’s the Difference?

WLAN is a wireless technology in networking applications such as home and small office networks. It employs radio frequency (RF) signals to connect devices within a closed area, such as an office or a home. The main difference between Wi-Fi and WLAN is that Wi-Fi uses the same radio waves as those used in cellular phones and other wireless devices. In contrast, WLAN uses dedicated RF channels to communicate.

Wifi is more common than WLAN because it uses less energy and can cover wider areas. This means you can connect your laptop to a network at home, for example, and use the internet simultaneously as you talk on the phone. However, if you want to use your laptop wirelessly in an open space, like a café or an airport terminal, you’ll need to use a WLAN.

How Does a Wireless LAN Work?

A WLAN is a broadband networking technology that uses radio waves to communicate between computers and other devices. Wifi is a term used for networks that use the same frequency as microwaves, which ranges from 2.4GHz to 2.48GHz in the US.

A wireless LAN can be divided into two types: client-based and infrastructure-based. Client-based WLANs, such as laptops and tablets, rely on individual clients to connect to an access point (AP) or router. Infrastructure-based WLANs use a wired network to connect APs so multiple devices can share resources, such as bandwidth and channels.

Advantages of Wireless LAN over wifi

WLAN technology uses radio waves to create an area where devices can connect wirelessly. This differs from WiFi, which uses radio waves to create a network connection between devices.

There are several benefits to using WLAN instead of wifi:

  • WLAN is faster than wifi. WLAN transmits data through the air, while wifi relies on cables to transport the data.
  • A wireless LAN can cover much more than a wifi network. Wireless signals travel farther and penetrate more obstacles than radio waves transmitted over a cable.
  • WLANs are less likely to be interrupted by interference from other electronic devices or nearby appliances. In contrast, wifi networks can be disrupted by objects such as power cords or other metal objects that can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Disadvantages of Wireless LAN over wifi

Wireless LAN has numerous advantages over Wi-Fi. WLANs operate within a specific range, making them easier to use in tight quarters. They also offer better security because data is not sent over the open Internet. Another advantage of WLANs is that they can be more reliable in difficult environments, such as near high-traffic areas or inside buildings. Wi-Fi can also suffer from interference issues and slow down when there is a lot of traffic.

Conclusion

WLAN is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect without wires. Wireless LAN devices can be placed anywhere in a room, whereas wifi devices can only be used near an access point (or router). WLAN is frequently more reliable than wifi and has faster data speeds.

Wireless Media – Exclusive Introduction

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Wireless media carry data through electromagnetic signals using radio or microwave frequencies. It provides the best mobility options, and the number of wireless-enabled devices continues to increase. Wireless is quickly gaining popularity in enterprise networks as network bandwidth options increase. The first wireless transmitter went on air in the 20th century using Morse Code.

Nowadays, Cellular phones, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Cordless Mouse, Cordless Keyboard, Cordless telephone sets, remote controls, Satellite televisions, Wireless LANs and some monitoring devices, such as intrusion alarms, employ acoustic waves at frequencies above the range of human hearing also classified as wireless. Wireless does have some important points to consider before planning:-

  • Coverage area: Wireless data communication technologies work well in open environments. However, certain construction materials in buildings, structures, and the local terrain will limit effective coverage.
  • Interference: Wireless Media is at risk of intrusion and can be disrupted by common devices such as household cordless phones, fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, and other wireless communications.
  • Security: Wireless Media communication coverage requires no access to a physical media strand. Thus, devices and users not authorized to access the network can gain access to the transmission. Network security is the main component of wireless network administration.
  • Shared medium: WLAN works in half-duplex, which means just one device can be sent or received at a time. The wireless medium is shared among all wireless users. The more users need to access the WLAN simultaneously, the less bandwidth each user will need.

Types of Wireless Media

The IEEE and telecommunications industry standards for wireless data communications cover the data link and physical layers. Cellular and satellite communications can also provide data network connectivity. But, we are not discussing these wireless technologies in this chapter. In each of these standards, physical layer specifications are applied to areas that include:

  • Transmission Frequency
  • The transmission power of the transmission
  • Data to radio signal encoding
  • Signal reception and decoding requirements
  • Antenna design and construction

Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. The certified product uses that belong to WLAN devices that are based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Different standards are the following:-

WI-FI standard IEEE 802.11

WLAN technology is commonly referred to as Wi-Fi. WLAN uses a protocol called Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA). The wireless NIC must first listen before transmitting to decide if the radio channel is clear. If another wireless device is transmitting, the NIC must wait until the channel is clear. We will briefly discuss CSMA/CA.

Bluetooth standard IEEE 802.15

Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) standard, commonly known as “Bluetooth”, uses a device pairing process to communicate over distances from 1 to 100 meters.

WI-MAX Standard IEEE 802.16

Usually known as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), it uses a point-to-multipoint topology to provide wireless broadband access.

Wireless LAN (WLAN)

General wireless data implementation wireless LAN requires the following network devices:

  • Wireless Access Point (AP): In a wireless local area network (WLAN), an access point (AP) is a station that transmits and receives data. An access point also connects users to other users within the network and can serve as the interconnection point between the WLAN and a fixed wire network. Each access point can serve multiple users within a defined network area; as people move beyond the range of one access point, they are automatically handed over to the next one. A small WLAN may only need a single access point; the number required increases the function of the number of network users and the physical size of the network.
  • Wireless NIC adapters: Provide wireless communication ability to each network host.

As technology has developed, several WLAN Ethernet-based standards have emerged. So, care needs to be taken when purchasing wireless devices to ensure compatibility and interoperability.

The benefits of wireless data communications technologies are clear, particularly the savings on costly premises wiring and the convenience of host mobility.