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̈ Chapter 11: Wireless LAN – WLAN LANCOM Reference Manual LCOS 3.50
203
Wireless LAN – WLAN
11 Wireless LAN – WLAN
11.1 What is a Wireless LAN?
The following sections are a general description of the LCOS operating
system functions in wireless networks. The precise functions suppor-
ted by your device are described in its manual.
In this chapter we will show you briefly the technology of wireless networks.
In addition, we give you an overview of the various applications, functions
and abilities of your base station.
A Wireless LAN connects single terminals (e.g. PCs or notebooks) to a local
network (also LAN – Local Area Network). In contrast to a conventional LAN,
communication takes place via radio links rather than via network cables. This
is the reason why a Wireless LAN is also called a Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN).
All functions of a cable-bound network are also available in a Wireless LAN:
access to files, servers, printers etc. is as possible as the connection of individ-
ual stations to an internal mail system or to the Internet access.
The advantages of Wireless LANs are obvious: notebooks and PCs can be set
up just where they are needed. Due to Wireless LANs, problems with missing
connections or structural alterations belong to the past.
11.1.1 Standardized radio transmission by IEEE
IEEE 802.11
LANCOM network products comply with the IEEE 802.11 standards. These
standard’s family represents an extension to the already existing IEEE stand-
ards for LANs, of which IEEE 802.3 for Ethernet is the most popular one.
Within the IEEE 802.11 family, different standards exist for the radio transmis-
sion in different frequency ranges and with different speeds. LANCOM base
stations and AirLancer client adapters support according to their respective
type different standards:
̈ IEEE 802.11a with up to 54 Mbps transfer rate in the 5 GHz band
̈ IEEE 802.11b with up to 11 Mbps transfer rate in the 2,4 GHz band
̈ IEEE 802.11g with up to 54 Mbps transfer rate in the 2,4 GHz band