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Wireless (Select Models Only)
Hardware and Software Guide 5–3
802.11 Wireless Devices
(Select Models Only)
A computer with an 802.11 wireless device 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.