Arjun Sanjeevkumar

Applied Electronics, A6
Roll No: 10

Wireless local area network (WLAN)

A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices using some wireless
distribution method (typically spread-spectrum or OFDM radio), and usually
providing a connection through an access point to the wider internet. This gives
users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be
connected to the network. Most modern WLANs are based on IEEE 802.11
standards, marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name.
Wireless LANs have become popular in the home due to ease of installation, and in
commercial complexes offering wireless access to their customers; often for free.
Large wireless network projects are being put up in many major cities: New York
City, for instance, has begun a pilot program to provide city workers in all five
boroughs of the city with wireless Internet access

WLAN Architecture
Stations
All components that can connect into a wireless medium in a network are referred
to as stations. All stations are equipped with wireless network interface controllers
(WNICs). Wireless stations fall into one of two categories: access points, and clients.
Access points (APs), normally routers, are base stations for the wireless network.
They transmit and receive radio frequencies for wireless enabled devices to
communicate with. Wireless clients can be mobile devices such as laptops, personal
digital assistants, IP phones and other smartphones, or fixed devices such as
desktops and workstations that are equipped with a wireless network interface.
Basic service set
The basic service set (BSS) is a set of all stations that can communicate with each
other. Every BSS has an identification (ID) called the BSSID, which is the MAC
address of the access point servicing the BSS.
There are two types of BSS: Independent BSS (also referred to as IBSS), and
infrastructure BSS. An independent BSS (IBSS) is an ad-hoc network that contains no
access points, which means they can not connect to any other basic service set.
Extended service set
An extended service set (ESS) is a set of connected BSSs. Access points in an ESS
are connected by a distribution system. Each ESS has an ID called the SSID which is
a 32-byte (maximum) character string.
Distribution system

A distribution system (DS) connects access points in an extended service set. The
concept of a DS can be used to increase network coverage through roaming
between cells. DS can be wired or wireless. Current wireless distribution systems are
mostly based on WDS or MESH protocols, though other systems are in use.

Types of wireless LANs

Peer-to-peer
An ad-hoc network is a network where stations communicate only peer to peer
(P2P). There is no base and no one gives permission to talk. This is accomplished
using the Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS).
A peer-to-peer (P2P) network allows wireless devices to directly communicate with
each other. Wireless devices within range of each other can discover and
communicate directly without involving central access points. This method is
typically used by two computers so that they can connect to each other to form a
network.
If a signal strength meter is used in this situation, it may not read the strength
accurately and can be misleading, because it registers the strength of the strongest
signal, which may be the closest computer.
Hidden node problem: Devices A and C are both communicating with B, but are
unaware of each other
IEEE 802.11 defines the physical layer (PHY) and MAC (Media Access Control) layers
based on CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance). The
802.11 specification includes provisions designed to minimize collisions, because
two mobile units may both be in range of a common access point, but out of range
of each other.
The 802.11 has two basic modes of operation: ad hoc mode and infrastructure
mode. In ad hoc mode, mobile units transmit directly peer-to-peer. In infrastructure
mode, mobile units communicate through an access point that serves as a bridge to
a wired network infrastructure. Since wireless communication uses a more open
medium for communication in comparison to wired LANs, the 802.11 designers also
included shared-key encryption mechanisms: Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi
Protected Access (WPA, WPA2), to secure wireless computer networks.
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.

Applications for Wireless LANs

Wireless LANs frequently augment rather than replace wired LAN networks-often
providing the final few meters of connectivity between a backbone network and the
mobile user. The following list describes some of the many applications made
possible through the power and flexibility of wireless LANs

Doctors and nurses in hospitals are more productive because hand-held or

notebook computers with wireless LAN capability deliver patient information
instantly.
Consulting or accounting audit engagement teams or small workgroups
increase productivity with quick network setup.
Network managers in dynamic environments minimize the overhead of
moves, adds, and changes with wireless LANs, thereby reducing the cost of
LAN ownership.
Training sites at corporations and students at universities use wireless
connectivity to facilitate access to information, information exchanges, and
learning.
Network managers installing networked computers in older buildings find that
wireless LANs are a cost-effective network infrastructure solution.
Retail store owners use wireless networks to simply frequent network
reconfiguration.
Trade show and branch office workers minimize setup requirements by
installing preconfigured wireless LANs needing no local MIS support.
Warehouse workers use wireless LANs to exchange information with central
databases and increase their productivity.
Network managers implement wireless LANs to provide backup for missioncritical applications running on wired networks.
Senior executives in conference rooms make quicker decisions because they
have real-time information at their fingertips.

In many applications (e.g., VPN, VoIP), sudden changes in network connectivity and
IP address can cause problems. Mobile IP was designed to support seamless and
continuous Internet connectivity.
Mobile IP is most often found in wired and wireless environments where users need
to carry their mobile devices across multiple LAN subnets. Examples of use are in
roaming between overlapping wireless systems, e.g., IP over DVB, WLAN, WiMAX
and BWA.

Applications for Mobile IP

In many applications (e.g., VPN, VoIP), sudden changes in network connectivity and
IP address can causeproblems. Mobile IP was designed to support seamless and
continuous Internet connectivity.
Mobile IP is most often found in wired and wireless environments where users need
to carry their mobile devices across multiple LAN subnets. Examples of use are in
roaming between overlapping wireless systems, e.g., IP over DVB, WLAN, WiMAX
and BWA.