Wireless Local Area Network
WLAN is an acronym for wireless local-area network. WLAN is a type of local-area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes.
Wireless networks based on the 802.11b standard have become increasingly popular in homes, small offices, and public spaces such as airports and hotels because they dispense with the need for stringing cable. The specification came under fire last year as flaws were exposed in its built-in security technology. The flaws make networks using 802.11b (or its newer, faster, sibling, 802.11a) vulnerable to hackers located within range of these networks. As a result the 802.11i specification for wireless LAN security was created and finally ratified by the IEEE in June 2004. Unlike 802.11a, b and g specifications, 802.11i offers significantly more security.
Wireless LANs can be set up in a number of ways. The first and most simple, is an ad-hoc network, where a group of PCs and mobile computers with wireless LAN cards in them can communicate with each other directly. This allows the transfer of information between PCs although does not allow access to a fixed network.
The most popular method of connectivity for wireless LANs is as an extension to a wired network allowing mobile users or other authorised visitorís access to the main servers and other work related information. It is important to realise that, in most applications, wireless LAN is an augmentation technology not a replacement technology.