User Manual

2
What is Wireless LAN?
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems offer a great number of
advantages over traditional wired systems. WLANs are flexible and easy to setup
and manage. They are also more economical than wired LAN sy- stems.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive da-
ta through the air. WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility. For
example, users can roam from a conference room to their office with- out being
disconnected from the LAN.
Using WLANs, users can conveniently access shared information, and
network administrators can configure and augment networks without ins- talling
or moving network cables.
WLAN technology provides users with many convenient and cost saving
features:
l Mobility: WLANs provide LAN users with access to real-time info-
rmation anywhere in their organization, providing service opportuni- ties
that are impossible with wired net-works.
l Ease of Installation: Installing is easy for novice and expert users
alike, eliminating the need to install network cables in walls and cei- lings.
l Scalability: WLANs can be configured in a variety of topologies to adapt
to specific applications and installations.
Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer net- works
suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure ne- tworks of
thousands of users roaming over a broad area.