This document discusses wireless local area networks (WLANs). It begins by defining WLANs and tracing their history from early developments in the 1970s. The document then lists key advantages of WLANs like installation flexibility, reduced costs, and mobility. Potential disadvantages are also outlined, such as higher costs compared to wired networks and limitations from environmental factors. The document goes on to describe different types of WLAN configurations including infrastructure, peer-to-peer, bridge, and wireless distribution systems. Finally, practical uses of WLANs in corporate, education, finance, and healthcare settings are highlighted.

1. Wireless Local Area
Network

2. INDEX
1)Introduction
2)Advantages
3)Disadvantages
4)Types Of WLAN
5)Practical Use Of WLAN

3. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY
OF WLAN
• What is WLAN?
 WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network.
 Sometimes it is also called Local Area Wireless Network (LAWN).
 Norman Abramson, a professor at the University of Hawaii,
developed the world’s first wireless computer communication
network, ALOHA net (operational in 1971).
 WLAN is a wireless computer network that links two or more
devices (using-spectrum or OFDM radio) within a limited area
such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building.
 WLAN is a marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name.
 Wireless LANs have become popular in the home due to ease of
installation and use.
INDEX

4. ADVANTAGES OF WLAN
 Installation flexibility.
 Reduced cost-of-ownership.
 Mobility
INDEX

5. Installation speed and simplicity
• No cable to pull.
• Few transmitters/receivers for multiple for users.
 Reduced cost-of-ownership
• Mobile devices are less expensive than computer
workstations.
• No need to build wiring closets.
 Mobility
• Access to real-time information.
• Provides service opportunities.
• Promotes flexibility.
• Supports productivity.
ADVANTAGES[Conti…]
INDEX

6. DISADVANTAGES OF WLAN
Cost
Environmental Conditions
Less Capacity
INDEX

7. DISADVANTAGES[Conti…]
Cost
• Wireless network cards cost 4 times more than wired
network cards.
• The access points are more expensive than hubs and wires.
Environmental Conditions
• Susceptible to weather and solar activity.
• Constrained by buildings, trees, terrain.
Less Capacity
• Slower bandwidth.
INDEX

8. TYPES OF WLAN
Infrastructure
Peer-to-peer
Bridge
Wireless distribution system
INDEX

9. Infrastructure
• Most Wi-Fi networks are deployed in infrastructure mode.
• In infrastructure mode, a base station acts as a wireless
access point hub, and nodes communicate through the hub.
The hub usually, but not always, has a wired or fiber
network connection, and may have permanent wireless
connections to other nodes.
• Wireless access points are usually fixed, and provide service
to their client nodes within range.
• Wireless clients, such as laptops, smart phones etc. connect
to the access point to join the network.
TYPES OF WLAN[Conti…]
INDEX

10. Peer To Peer
TYPES OF WLAN[Conti…]
Two PCs equipped with wireless adapter cards can be set up
as an independent network whenever they are within range
of one another.
A peer-to-peer network allows wireless devices to directly
communicate with each other.
INDEX

11. Bridge
• A bridge can be used to connect 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 acts as the connection point to the Wireless
LAN.
TYPES OF WLAN[Conti…]
INDEX

12. Wireless distribution system
• A Wireless Distribution System enables the wireless
interconnection of access points in an IEEE 802.11 network.
TYPES OF WLAN[Conti…]
INDEX

13. Corporate
Education
Finance
Healthcare
PRACTICAL USE OF WLAN
INDEX

14. PRACTICAL USE[Conti…]
INDEX
Corporate
• Mobile networking for e-mail, file sharing, and web
browsing.
Education
• Connectivity to the University Network for collaborative
class activities.
• Ability to access research sources without requiring a hard
point.

15. Finance
• Traders can receive up-to-the-second pricing information.
• Facilitates electronic payments for goods and services.
• Improve the speed and quality of trades.
Healthcare
• Emergency medical information readily available.
• Access to schedule information.
PRACTICAL USE[Conti…]
INDEX

16. Thank You