Operation Manual

WLAN: Wireless Local Area Networks
56 FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN – 6 Guidebook
6.2 WLAN: Wireless Local Area Networks
WLAN is a radio technology that allows Ethernet networks
and access to the Internet to be provided without cable con-
nections. Multiple users can share such a wireless Internet
access in both the business and the private sphere. A note-
book and a WLAN adapter is all you need for an Internet con-
nection at locations with public WLAN access points, for in-
stance at airports.
Standards
The two WLAN standards IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g were
developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engi-
neers (IEEE). With 802.11b technology, transmission rates of
up to 11 Mbit/s are possible; with 802.11g technology, up to
54 Mbit/s. FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN supports both standards.
WLAN adapters based on either of these standards can es-
tablish connections to FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN.
The range within a given WLAN depends to a high degree on
the WLAN adapter used as well as the physical surroundings
of the network.
Security
Security is of utmost importance within radio networks. Ra-
dio signals can also be received outside of office or residen-
tial spaces and abused for criminal purposes.
Therefore it is important that no unauthorized users can reg-
ister in a WLAN to use its Internet access or shared network
resources.
FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN includes settings on various levels that
contribute to the security of your WLAN and thus to the secu-
rity of your computers.