Wireless LAN

An introduction to wireless networking hardware

By Eric Leland
Source: TechSoup.org
Wireless networking products have become more popular in the last few years due to an
increase in competition among manufacturers and the emergence of a more dominant
wireless technology standard. This report looks at the benefits and drawbacks of wireless
networking and provides further resources for research into wireless products.
efinition: Wireless Networking
Wireless networking refers to hardware and software combinations that enable two or more
appliances to share data with each other without direct cable connections. Thus, in its widest
sense, wireless networking includes cell and satellite phones, pagers, two-way radios, wireless
LANs and modems, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
efinition: Wireless LAN
Wireless LANs enable client computers and the server to communicate with one another
without direct cable connections. Generally, a wireless LAN is connected to an existing wired
LAN, although they can exist without a wired LAN (in this case, users will only be able to
communicate with other users on the same subnet).
Components of a Wireless LAN
Necessary components include an Access Point, Client LAN adaptors and the wired LAN. The
Access Point is a device that translates between the wired LAN and the wireless LAN. The
Client LAN Adaptors are PC cards, PCI or ISA boards that plug into laptop or desktop
computers equipped with radio transceivers to communicate with the Access point. Other
components to a wireless LAN can include Extension Points and Directional Antennas.
Extension Points are devices similar to the Access Point, but not connected to the wired LAN.
Extension points serve to extend the range of the wireless network by relaying signals from
client computers to the Access point. Directional Antennas serve to connect wireless networks
located at a greater distance from one another. Each network would have an antenna targeted
at each other (known as a "line of site" connection).
Technology Standards
Manufacturers have adopted many competing standards for implementing wireless
communication. Interoperability between different communications standards is currently not
available. It is important to evaluate, with any wireless LAN networking system, the
technology it uses, the features it provides and the industry support it has. Below are
common standards available:

Standard Coverage Speed Access Point
Network
Card
802.11b 150 feet 11 Mbps $200 $100
802.11a 50 feet 50Mbps $300 $200
Bluetooth 30 feet 1Mbps N/A $50
UWB (no consumer products yet) 100 feet 40-1000Mbps $100 $100
HomeRF 150 feet 1.6-10Mbps $200 $100

O 802.11b is sometimes referred to as "Wi-Fi". Currently this open standard,
developed by the Wireless Local Area Networks Standards Working Group, is the most
widely used wireless LAN system. Large technology companies such as Linksys, Apple,
SMC, and 3Com have adopted it for their product lines. This technology uses radio