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Wireless (Select Models Only)
Hardware and Software Guide 5–3
802.11 Wireless Devices
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Models Only)
With an 802.11 wireless device, you can access a wireless local
area network (commonly referred to as wireless network, wireless
LAN, or WLAN), which is composed of other computers and
accessories linked by a wireless router or a wireless access point.
■ A large-scale WLAN, such as a corporate or public WLAN,
typically uses wireless access points that can handle a large
number of computers and accessories and can separate
critical network functions.
■ A home or small office WLAN typically uses a wireless
router, which enables several wireless and wired computers to
share an Internet connection, a printer, and files without
additional pieces of hardware or software. The terms wireless
access point and wireless router are often used
interchangeably.
There are 3 popular implementations of 802.11 wireless devices:
■ 802.11b
■ 802.11b/g
■ 802.11a/b/g