D-Link AIR DWL-610 - Manual (Page 6)

6
Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or public access
wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you access to the data you want,
when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking
brings.
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits
and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly in
both home and office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and
universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and
communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other
fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless
adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same protocols as Ethernet
adapter cards.
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location
within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time
information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs
–
WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and
relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease of implementation.
WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast
and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even outside the home or
office.
Scalability –
WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of
specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from
peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to larger infrastructure networks
to accommodate hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the number of wireless
devices deployed.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventional Ethernet network devices.